2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Species: Hyena | Location: Selous, Tanzania, United Republic of

We were heading back to camp when this juvenile hyena came out of the bushes, walked along the road and then stopped, looked back at us, as we had stopped and proceeded to roll and have a ball in the dirt. We spent about 40mins or so with him before it started getting dark and with a long drive ahead, we had to leave - at that time, he too decided it was time to leave and disappeared back into the tall grass. Suddenly he reappears, we stop, so does he and he and I looked at one another for a minute or so and I could have reached out and touched him. It was one of the most amazing experiences ever and to this day, I think of this little fella and wonder how he is. I had put the camera down and this was one of those moments, that you need to just sit and take in the moment, as this was one moment I could never have imagined.

About The Photographer

Self taught photographer, as photography was not something my parents would allow me to do and went into Film production. My husband suggested taking up photography when I was diagnosed with cancer and from that moment on, I was hooked. I I freelance for the newspapers and am the photographer for the Oconee Performing Arts Society and if it were possible, would just travel to wildlife locations to see all that I could. It has become a passion and each day, I try to learn something new.