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2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Plains Zebra, Maasai Mara , Kenya
Zebra Nuzzle

Species: Plains Zebra | Location: Maasai Mara , Kenya

There are literally thousands of zebra in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. And while it is a photographer's dream to have so many subjects, it can actually present a challenge to get a shot of one or two of them on their own. It's easy to see why predators get confused when seeing so many of them all together, as their lines tend to blend into each other. I was thrilled to quickly snap this shot as one turned to the other for a little nuzzle before they rejoined their group (called a dazzle!).

About The Photographer

Cropped shauna
I first discovered the magic of photography in high school, where I would lose hours and hours in the darkroom. After high school I moved on to Ryerson University's photography program, where film was still king but digital photography was starting to emerge. After Ryerson, I tried my hand at commercial photography but found it wasn't for me, and decided to switch focus. Inspired by my love of animals, I got into wildlife rehabilitation, working for Canada's largest wildlife hospital (Toronto Wildlife Centre). I still kept my camera with me at all times, doing portrait work part time. Six years later, when I started a family, I opened a portrait studio so that I could control my own hours and still do what I loved. Now, eleven years later, I feel an overwhelming desire to blend my love of photography with my deep respect for wildlife. There has never been a more important time to tell the stories of the animals we share this earth with, and show how vital it is that we protect them. We are all connected; preserving wildlife means preserving ourselves.
Check out Shauna’s photography website: www.shaunareay.com
Follow Shauna on Instagram: @shaunareayphoto
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