2019 I had my first experience shooting wildlife in Africa. Actually it was my first trip to Africa for any reason, and what a journey it turned out to be. I knew that the name of the game in wildlife photography—whether I was trying to capture a herd of elephants by the water hole or seals in my backyard—is patience. Wild animals are going to do what they’re going to do. Unfortunately, I can’t ask them to look this way, do something cute, or stand where the light is better. I have to be there, and ready, when they decide to look cute or do something interesting. Patience is my soar spot, and this being my first encounter with wildlife in Africa, I was way to eager to shoot. I hope I’ve learned my lesson when I go back to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe later this year. I am prepared to wait, and wait, and wait—it takes a long time to get good wildlife shots, even longer to make great ones.

But it was not a waste of time. I managed to get a couple of decent shoots. And most important I learned something new for every photo I took. The longer I spend with an animal or a group of animals, the better I get to know them and their habits. I get to see the personalities of different individuals, and hopefully I will get to the point where I can anticipate what they might do at a particular time of day or in a certain situation. Going back I will make sure to have my friend and guide, Vuza, to learn me more about animal behavior and that way, hopefully, I will get more life into my photos.