Islands In The Stream

I gave up trying to predict animal behaviour a long time ago. For years I’d attempt to anticipate a wild animal’s next move, position myself accordingly, only for something completely unexpected to unfold. One recent example, during a migration shoot in Kenya, stands out: we had correctly identified the exact point the wildebeest would cross the Mara River - our vehicle the only one in position while over a hundred others waited in vain further upstream. Then, just as 10,000 wildebeest were about to plunge into the river, a hippo erupted from the water and sent the entire herd scrambling back up the bank.

Experiences like that have changed my approach. These days, I visualise the dream shot for a given situation and hope (or pray, if I were that way inclined) that the animal behaviour will align. That’s not to say I aim my camera at random and rely on luck. I still consider all likely scenarios—but I’d now rather risk missing the moment entirely in pursuit of something spectacular than settle for a guaranteed, but unremarkable, frame.