Hakuna Matata

Sometimes everything goes your way! I couldn't believe my luck when the two giraffes stopped, an acacia tree centered between them, during a gorgeous African sunset. Photographed in Kenya.

Simba na Shibli

A lioness and her 3-month-old cub awaken to the dawn of another beautiful day in Kenya.

Shelter

Motherhood, love, protection, shelter. Photographed in Kenya, the sweet tenderness of this baby elephant and his mother makes my heart feel good.

Figlet

Just look into the beautiful eyes of this 6-month-old leopard cub! Known as Figlet to the guides at Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya, the little cub was waiting for her mama to return from hunting.

Ol Pejeta Portrait

To me, a rhinoceros looks ancient, even prehistoric. I visited Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where at the time the last three remaining Northern White Rhinos lived. Sudan has since passed away, but Ol Pejeta Conservancy is engaged in efforts to save the species through artificially-assisted reproduction. (This is a Southern White Rhino).

When Giraffes Could Fly

Magnificent sunset light illuminates a giraffe that appears to be floating above the earth. The East African storm clouds provide a perfect backdrop.

The Scrying Pond

I photographed this young cub at a seasonal watering hole in Kenya. I named it "The Scrying Pond" after the ancient practice of scrying, which involves reading messages or seeing visions in a reflective surface. I hope this little lion sees a hearty meal in its future!

Happiness is an Elephant Mud Bath

I photographed this baby elephant in Kenya, at the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, an area of protected land adjacent to the famous Maasai Mara. The baby was only three or four months old, and was playing with his mother in a mud hole. It was absolutely delightful watching the little baby as he rolled around in the mud. He was so covered in mud at one point that he didn't look like a baby elephant at all, he just looked like a giant mud ball with legs! I remember how cute he was when he was lying on his back, his little legs wiggling in the air. We laughed and laughed as we watched him play. When he tried to get out of the mud hole, he couldn't do it, because the slope was so slippery, so his mom helped by pushing him up and out with her trunk. Once he was on dry land he ran away as quickly as his little legs could take him...and then he turned around, raced back to the mud hole, and slid down the slippery slope as though he was on a playground slide! This baby elephant provided me with happy memories that I'll never forget, and the photograph of him reminds me of his joy.

Machweo Chui

Machweo is Swahili for sunset, while chui is Swahili for leopard. And that's what this is. What a beautiful cat. To the guides at Olare Motorogi Conservancy, this leopard is known as Fig, and it is her daughter, Figlet, that you saw earlier in this gallery.

Heart of Gold

A beautiful lion makes eye contact as he strides purposefully toward our vehicle. The dawning light set his mane aglow. I thought he was going to leap into the open air jeep with us, but at the last moment he swerved. Whew.

Seshat

I photographed this beautiful leopard as she was looking for prey on the savannah below her. I call this photograph "Seshat" after the Egyptian goddess of writing, Sheshat, who wears a leopard robe.

Ol Pejeta Trio

To me, a rhinoceros looks ancient, even prehistoric. I visited Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where at the time the last three remaining Northern White Rhinos lived. Sudan has since passed away, but Ol Pejeta Conservancy is engaged in efforts to save the species through artificially-assisted reproduction. (These are Southern White Rhinos).

Jambo!

Jambo! or Hello! in Swahili, from this little elephant to you! Photographed in Kenya.

Hidden Beauty

A gorgeous leopard is lit by a shaft of sunlight as she hides in the branches of a tree. Photographed in Kenya

Playtime

A lioness and her 3-month-old cub awaken to the dawn of another beautiful day in Kenya. It's never too early for playtime!

Goliath

Is there anything cuter than a baby elephant?! Photographed near the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Sunset Glow

Magnificent sunset light illuminates a pair of giraffes. The East African storm clouds provide a perfect backdrop.

Favorite Spot

Just look at the beautiful eyes of this leopard cub! Known as Figlet to the guides at Kenya's Olare Motorogi Conservancy, the little cub was waiting for her mama to return from hunting.