Awe and wonder open our hearts and minds. From this place anything is possible.  Happy New Year! I’ve hauled out my bags and am organizing my gear. For the curious, armchair travellers and safari dreamers, here’s my packing list.

I have not gone away. The darkness of the season pulled me into its embrace. I am content to pause and reflect on the past year. I am grateful for so much in my life including you, my readers! Thank you. Your comments and support fuel my commitment to use my photography and stories to touch hearts and celebrate the beauty of nature. I appreciate hearing from you!

What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?

In indigenous culture when a shaman met an anxious or depressed patient, they often began by asking, “When in your life did you stop singing? When in your life did you stop dancing?” Singing and dancing are an integral part of Samburu culture. They sing to celebrate, they sing to heal the broken hearts of orphan elephants.

How do you care for an orphaned elephant? Patiently, because healing for a trauma survivor is slow at first. Lovingly in a community of safety, because without love and family elephants fail to thrive.

The orphaned elephants that are cared for by the Samburu at Reteti Elephant Orphanage, are symbols of a new wave of thinking about wildlife and the environment. It goes far beyond traditional conservation methods, and dives deeper into the core value of what nature represents.  Reteti.org

Canada Bans Ivory

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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

“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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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.