The pastoralist Samburu people of Northern Kenya believe elephants were once people. Their oral tradition tells the story of how they became the ancestors of the elephant.

Where will we go for healing when wildlife and wild places no longer exist? Katie Rowe Co-Founder Reteti Elephant Sanctuary

Cuteness may be hard to describe, but you know it when you see it. 

I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent! Dr. Seuss

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.

Reposted from July 2023.

The pastoralist Samburu people of Northern Kenya believe elephants were once people. Their oral tradition tells the story of how they became the ancestors of the elephant.

The pastoralist Samburu people of Northern Kenya believe elephants were once people. Their oral tradition tells the story of how they became the ancestors of the elephant.

When your travel agent offers a visit to any establishment that offers touching a wild species as entertainment – say no. Simon Espley – CEO Africa Geographic

Many readers were amazed and delighted to see the videos of the Grevy zebra birth in last week’s blog. Tonya Cole commented that she didn’t know there were different species of zebras. I’m sure she wasn’t alone so today’s story highlights the differences between the common zebra and the highly endangered Grevy zebra.

Imagine my friend and safari guide, Joseph Mutemi’s concern when he came across a Grevy zebra lying alone on the road.

One of the challenges of wildlife photography is to convey the power of an animal without putting oneself in danger.

Growing up in a safe community surrounded by love and a caring is a good predictor of resilience later in life. Enjoy this film about Little Mwana, Murera’s miracle baby, she is off to a good start.

A living and thriving nature is not only valuable intrinsically, it is also financially valuable to us.

Ralph Chami PhD.

Elephants constantly remind us that miracles are possible. - Angela Sheldrick

Elephant conservation is not an African issue, it's a worldwide issue. Investing and elephants, is investing in the world's biodiversity. Elephants Alive https://elephantsalive.org