Many thanks to everyone who submitted their images the Bum View/Photo Bomb Competition. We had 72 entries! Many of you wrote how going through your pictures rekindled special memories. Photography is like an archive of treasured moments in our lives. What matters most in an image is what it stirs in our hearts and minds. Read the full story to see Grand Winner and finalists in several categories.

Our Grand Winner Bum View winner is Phil Ayers! His zebra image invites an immediate reaction and tells a powerful story. Phil we grant you full bragging rights for this wonderful photo.  Phil wrote “Thanks for running the contest.  We were glad to have a reason to go through our photos, which brought back many happy memories.”

We have 42 submissions so far in the Bum View/Photo Bomb Competition. Animals do what they do, it’s up to the photographer to capture the best gesture, lighting, and story. Often the animal’s behaviour doesn’t match what we hoped for, but humour redeems the shot. Like this Grevy Zebra with ears askance. He could guide an aircraft landing with those ears! 

So far Zebras are outnumbering submissions with elephants a close second in the Bum View/Photo Bomb competition. There’s still time to email me your submissions. Winners will be announced Aug. 28th.

The Bum Views/Photo bomb competition is open! Many thanks to those who have submitted images. I will share submissions until Week 3 August 21st on my Facebook page Kathy Karn Photography.

Readers! Send me your favorite animal photo bomb photos and I will post them on my KathyKarnPhotography Facebook page. In a few lines share the story behind the shot. It’s often the story, more than the image, that makes these photos memorable. We want to see your images. Let’s have some fun!

Photographing animals in the wild involves an interesting dance between slow and fast; patiently waiting for a shot while simultaneously staying ready for that fraction of a second when it all comes together. The drivers and spotters on a game drive do their best to set up photographic shots, but wild animals have a mind of their own.

Tears of overwhelm and joy pricked my eyes when I read the email on September 9, 2021. Congratulations! We are contacting you today because your image has been selected as a Highly Honored finalist in the final round of Judging for the 2021 Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards.

My aim in wildlife photography is to create images that evoke a response in the viewer. When we have an emotional reaction to a photograph our brains tell us a story. The heart informs the mind. Not everyone has the same response, that’s the beauty of art.

Last week a tiny elephant calf fell in a well in Northern Kenya. The region is currently experiencing a devastating drought. The local Samburu people dig wells for their livestock in riverbeds during the dry season. They bring their animals to drink during the day and elephants take advantage of the wells at night. Unfortunately, sometimes a calf falls in and the elephants are unable to help it out.

Did you know the first Saturday in September is International Vulture Awareness Day? Nature’s garbage collectors, vultures are found in many countries. They are the most threatened group of raptors in the world. All African vultures are under pressure, several are facing extinction. Some populations have fallen as much as 97% in the last few years.

“Cheetahs are my favourite animal,” said the British guest sitting opposite me at the dinner table. “I’d do anything to have one as a pet.” I paused, stunned, my fork halfway to my mouth. Incredulous, I responded, “You want a cheetah as a house pet?”

Photographing animals in the wild involves an interesting dance between slow and fast; patiently waiting for a shot while simultaneously staying ready for that fraction of a second when it all comes together. The drivers and spotters on a game drive do their best to set up photographic shots, but wild animals have a mind of their own.

I chose to visit Sarara Camp in Northern Kenya, after reading photographer Ami Vitale’s National Geographic story about the launch of the sanctuary in 2017. Reteti is the first community owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa and the first elephant orphanage to employ women as keepers. Not only are they saving elephants, Reteti is creating employment for women and modeling new roles for young girls.

I can’t imagine ever running out of stories, but I confess, I long to fill up my basket of travel tales with more adventures. There’s a voice that echoes in my head “safari, safari, safari.” I want to breathe in the air, the smells of the Kenyan landscape. I long to go to sleep listening to the rumble of elephants or the roar of lions outside my tent.

Can you tell a leopard from its spots? Seeing either a leopard or cheetah on the African savanna is always a special treat. Both leopards and cheetahs have long tails with white tips.

This week’s Heartfelt Story—The Grace of Elephants and What they Can Teach Us About Love—is a podcast interview, with Monica Rodgers. I made an instant connection with Monica in a Seth Godin Creatives Workshop in 2020. Monica hosts a popular weekly podcast called “The Revelation Project.” She believes “what gets revealed, gets healed.”

The world is at a tipping point due to the destructive behaviour of humans. I believe we would do well to ask ourselves as we consider important decisions about the future of our planet, “What would the elephants do?” When I think of the answer, I relive my encounter with the elephants of Amboseli in January 2020.

A spotted cat with long legs like a miniature cheetah slipped by like an elusive ghost. A serval! After dozens of game drives this was my first sighting of this graceful little feline. The serval emerged and crossed the road giving me full view of its lanky body and short tail before disappearing again into the grass on the far side of the road.