Heartfelt Stories Photography Blog — Kathy Karn Photography

Vital Impacts is excited to launch a fundraising fine art print sale in support of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (@r.e.s.c.u.e), Africa's first indigenous-owned elephant sanctuary, and I am thrilled to be part of it!

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnNovember 15, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

If You Meet a Lion on the Road ….

I love that my kids pick up my phone now and before they use it to play games and zone out, they are struck by the beauty of the Lion and are awed by nature! This somehow restores some balance for me.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnNovember 8, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

What has the legs of an antelope, the neck of a giraffe and can stand on two legs?

What has the legs of an antelope, the neck of a giraffe can stand on two legs? The gerenuk!

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnNovember 1, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

They Wear Their Hearts on Their Nose

Meet the waterbuck. They wear their hearts on their noses. They also have a special superpower. Read this week’s story to to learn more.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnOctober 25, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

The Peace of Wild Things

Nature is a powerful resource for solace and comfort. I hope this post brings you some peace and comfort during these difficult times.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnOctober 18, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

When We Take Care of Nature, Nature Takes Care of Us.

“Wildlife is a saviour. Majete was dead, now it is alive, and the future is bright.” African Parks Report

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnOctober 11, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

We Stop for Elephants

“How close to you actually get to the wildlife on safari? Did you use a big telephoto lens to get close?” Yes, sometimes my 400 mm lens with a 1.4 converter allows me to get very close to an animal, but often the animal comes so close I don’t need it.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnOctober 4, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

The Story Behind the Shot

Play is essential to both human and elephant development. Laughter is good medicine; it encourages creativity and reduces stress.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnSeptember 27, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Breaking News - Finalist in Nature's Best and A Spotless Giraffe!

Breaking news: a win in Nature’s Best Photography Awards and a giraffe born without spots! Read the full story here.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnSeptember 20, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Can You Spot the Animal? Part 3

At 18’ tall giraffes can be easy to spot. However, even these giants use camouflage to escape detection.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnSeptember 13, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Can You Spot the Animal? Part 2

Leopards are the Masters of Invisibility. I know more leopards have seen me than I’ve seen leopards!

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnSeptember 6, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Can You Spot the Animal?

Going on a game drive is like playing Where’s Waldo with a wildlife theme. Can you spot the animals in these images?

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnAugust 30, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Elephant Humour – Your Smile for the Day

We believe that a long time ago all wildlife belonged to the women and then they were released to the wild. No one brought them back. Now because women are involved in conservation, we will conserve them in the wild.

Mparasaoi Lemantaan, Mama Simba Coordintor, Ewaso Lions.

Africa, Heartfelt Endeavours, WildlifeKathy KarnAugust 23, 2023Kenya 2021, Kenya 2021 Maasai Mara, Lions Comments

Celebrating World Lion Day

We believe that a long time ago all wildlife belonged to the women and then they were released to the wild. No one brought them back. Now because women are involved in conservation, we will conserve them in the wild.

Mparasaoi Lemantaan, Mama Simba Coordintor, Ewaso Lions.

Africa, Heartfelt Endeavours, WildlifeKathy KarnAugust 16, 2023Kenya 2021, Kenya 2021 Maasai Mara, LionsComment

Safari in the City

Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park along its boundary. This is not a zoo, the animals are as wild as the ones we see out on the Maasai Mara or Amboseli Plain.

Africa, Heartfelt Endeavours, WildlifeKathy KarnAugust 9, 2023Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKenya, Kathy Karn, Photography, stories, elephant, bathing, mudComment

Dusty Elephants

An elephant’s hide looks tough, but in fact it is sensitive to the strong African sun and parasites like ticks. Coating themselves in dust or mud protects their skin from the intense sun and biting insects.

Africa, Heartfelt Endeavours, WildlifeKathy KarnAugust 2, 2023Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKenya, Kathy Karn, Photography, stories, elephant, bathing, mudComment

An Afternoon at the Spa - Excerpt from The Wisdom of Elephants

There is a huge bull elephant silently enjoying a mud bath directly in front of me. I quickly slide my feet into a pair of sandals, grab my cameras, and race back to the main lodge.

Africa, Heartfelt Endeavours, WildlifeKathy KarnJuly 26, 2023Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKenya, Kathy Karn, Photography, stories, elephant, bathing, mud Comments

How the Samburu Became the Ancestors of Elephants.

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.

Just Say NO

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

A Horse of a Different Stripe

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.

Stories by Kathy

—Michael C., Registered Psychotherapist

Get inspired!

—Newsletter Subscriber

Subscribe today to get Heartfelt Stories delivered free to your inbox.