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SOUTHERN AFRICA

Lion portrait with great detail showing off her orange eyes - mark fernley wildlife

LIONESS PORTRAIT - CHOBE

Large female walks the river banks of Chobe National Park, located in the north of Botswana.  

Muddy african elephant walks through a waterhole in hwange - mark fernley wildlife

MUDDY WATERS - HWANGE

One of many African elephants make their way out of the harsh and muddy black waters photographed here in Hwange National Park. This image focuses on the colour and patterns of the skin, allowing the high contrast, projecting the elephants textures to be seen more vividly.

Snarling and angry lioness shows off her teeth - mark fernley wildlife

SNARLING LIONESS - CHOBE 

Early in the mornings of Chobe National Park, this rather aggressive female is captured showing her teeth to the camera as she passes hastily out into the open. This image clearly shows the dry and harsh dust that is kicked up by the two lions that have created a halo of focus around this snarling individual. 

SUN RISE - CHOBE.

Two female lionesses photographed walking into the sun here in the Chobe National Park, Botswana. My idea to get close to this healthy female was to show viewers the iconic and unique facial structure that holds detail and power.

What make this image interesting is the unknowing of what she is actually looking at in such keen interest. With a highly shallow depth of field, I was able to isolate her head in a suspended frame of time. 

close up lioness view of her head - mark fernley wildlife
A black rhino is lit up by a flash as it is phtographed at night in etosha - mark fernley wildlife

AN OLD SURVIVOR - ETOSHA

Out from the darkness and into the light appears a Black Rhino in all its rare and stunning glory, as it makes its way around a waterhole here in Namibia. 

The image has captured its strong and intense textures that clearly show age, and the struggle that these endangered animals have to face on our planet. The rarity of this individuals horn brings strength and pride to the photograph projecting it from all others.

Black rhino is photographed with a flash at night here in etosha - mark fernley wildlife

BLACK RHINO - ETOSHA

Black rhinoceros with large horns is photographed at night - mark fernley wildlife

BLACK RHINO - ETOSHA

A black rhino and her baby sit next to a waterhole at night - mark fernley wildlife

BLACK RHINO - ETOSHA

A black rhino photographed at night with a large horn looks up - mark fernley wildlife

BLACK RHINO - ETOSHA

A bird flies past a hippo as it opens its mouth in the river - mark fernley wildlife

THE OUT BURST - CUBANGO RIVER

A stunning large male hippopotamus strikes out with rage over a flock of Oxpeckers as they continue to feed of the many parasites that live on these bold giants here in Namibia. 

Close view of a male african lion - mark fernley wildlife

BEFORE THE HUNT - MOREMI

Large male lion photographed here in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana. After a long search for this one individual here in, I finally track down this rather healthy male lion that I had photographed previous years ago. This friendly big cat made for a great photographic subject.

ON THE MOVE - ETOSHA
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Lone female Lioness on the hunt in Etosha National Park, Namibia. This lioness was patiently watched from a distance as she was calmly overlooking the flatlands in search for a meal. After a while, she rose from the ground, took a drink and began to turn towards the herd of Springbok in the far distance.

As she came towards my truck, I was able to get low in order to obtain this shot. I was able to capture this shot revealing an F4 background, allowing the subject to float freely in the space. 

An african lioness walks through the dry grass in etosha - mark fernley wildlife
Lioness lifts her head and showing her teeth - mark fernley wildlife

THE GREAT YAWN - CHOBE

Dark and dramatic side shot of a graceful Lioness showing off her impressive canines to the many other lions in the surrounding area. Photo taken in the Chobe National Park, Botswana. 

Lion stares into the camera as it sits down in the sand - mark fernley wildlife

EYE TO EYE - CHOBE

Dramatic lion headshot taken in the heart of Chobe National Park, Botswana. Notice his many battle wounds on his face from other males including his eye wound almost costing him his sight.

A large african elephant walks allone through the grass of etosha - mark fernley wildlife

AN AFRICAN LEGEND - ETOSHA

Large Bull African Elephant photographed walking the open plains of Etosha National Park, located in the very north of Namibia.

African elephant walks through a muddy waterhole in zimbabwe - mark fernley wildlife

LIVING DARKNESS - HWANGE
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Located in the far west of Zimbabwe, I found myself observing a humongous herd of elephants bathing and drinking from the muddy waters here in this dry and harsh environment.

After staying in this location for hours on end, I could not help but get drawn to this one specific elephant that had completely been submerged in the black water. As he elevated, I had to capture his unusual black body as if covered in thick tar.  

Flamingo begins to run to take off in Namibia - mark fernley wildlife

Located in the west coast of Namibia's salt flats, I capture one individual flamingo running as he begins to take flight up into the misty and wet skies.

TAKE OFF - WALVIS BAY
 

Desert lion walks through the dry grass towards his kill - mark fernley wildlife

THE PREDATOR - ETOSHA

Young male Lion photographed in the harsh and dry grasses of Etosha National Park of northern Namibia. This dry time of year brought a lifeless colour to this frame, therefor creating a rather dramatic mood.

Colourful hippo turns its head into the light - mark fernley wildlife

THE PAINTED FACE - CUBANGO RIVER

Diving close to the magnificent Hippopotamus, taken along side the Cubango River, here in Namibia. We get to observe the array of coloured mud that brings this image to life. 

Young african elephant runs through the mist in kruger - mark fernley wildlife

ALL EARS - KRUGER

As dust is thrown through the skies, this magnificent young elephant with attitude races past and swinging his trunk in aggression to warn off other, here in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

THE RACE - ETOSHA

 

Lone bull ghost elephant races through the flat plains of Etosha National Park to a nearby waterhole where his herd is awaiting. With the help of an F4, the subject such as the elephant is suspended in contrast to the soft and empty foreground and background, emphasizing the remarkable detail of the elephants textured skin.

Charging white etosha elephant runs through the grass - mark fernley wildlife
Large herd of muddy elephants walk through a waterhole in zimbabwe - mark fernley wildlife

THE RACE - HWANGE

A group of African elephants race away from a secluded waterhole located in the center of Hwange National Park here in west Zimbabwe.

A group of desert giraffes look into the distance - mark fernley wildlife

MOTHER & YOUNG - PURROS 

Isolated giraffe family photographed in the dry deserts of Northern Namibia as they watch a small brown hyena making its way over the barren hills. 

A nile crocodile sits in the grass next to the chobe river - mark fernley wildlife

UNDER THE SUN - CHOBE

Small Nile Crocodile photographed on the edges of the Chobe River, showing off his stunning colours and impressive teeth. 

African elephant stands in a waterhole - mark fernley wildlife

MISTY WATERS - HWANGE

Close and personal with a lone female elephant as she tiptoes carefully into the black waters here in Zimbabwe.

Desert elephant stands still in etosha - mark fernley wildlife

THE STAIR DOWN - ETOSHA

A confident young African Elephant stands facing the camera located here in Etosha National Park, Namibia.

African elephant herd walks through a muddy waterhole - mark fernley wildlife

THE STRUGGLE - HWANGE

Large herd of elephants wade through the shallow and muddy waters in search for fresh water set in the barren lands of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. 

Zebra herd walking through the desert - mark fernley wildlife

THE JOURNEY - ETOSHA

A small group of Burchell's Zebra struggle in the harsh heat to walk across a vast and open plain to a far away waterhole here in Etosha National Park, Namibia.    

Mother elephant and young drink from a waterhole - mark fernley wildlife

THE COOL OFF - ETOSHA

Herd of elephants arrive at a well used waterhole and begin to cool off from the harsh and inhospitable heat here in Etosha National Park, Namibia.

African lion licks his lips - mark fernley wildlife

A PREDATORS GAZE - CHOBE

Stunning male lion rises up from the ground and licks his lips at a passing herd of impala here in Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Zebra rests his head on the back of another - mark fernley wildlife

THE LOOKOUT - CHOBE

A fine observation of the intimate relationship between zebras here in Etosha National park, Namibia. 

ON THE RUN - HWANGE
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After a long day under the sun, this young African elephant hastily makes his way to his family that are gathered at a nearby waterhole, situated in the north of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Observe his thin and bony physique, caused by draught from this harsh and dry environment. 

Skinny elephant walks through the desert - mark fernley wildlife
Baboon opens his mouth wide showing off his teeth - mark fernley wildlife

THE YAWN - KRUGER

Large male baboon sits comfortably in the sun, stretching his impressive jaws wide and revealing his teeth, here in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Muddy african elephant with texture - mark fernley wildlife

ELEPHANT PORTRAIT - ETOSHA
 



Photographed in Etosha National Park, this outstanding individual is photographed showing off her creative white muddy blotches as she races near the camera giving me a show of a lifetime!

Large bull african elephant walking in the open - mark fernley wildlife

LONE BULL - ETOSHA

Lone Ghost Elephant bull photographed in the open plains bordering the salt pan of Etosha. This image brings you the isolated and harsh surroundings that these magnificent animals have to face. 

BEFORE THE FIGHT - CUBANGO RIVER



In the dangerous waters of the Cubango River in Namibia, a far from relaxed male Hippo begins to get agitated with his pod as the sun begins to set. As I got closer on my boat, I captured a strong side shot of the gaping mouth that best expressed the unique shape of this unique animal. 

Hippo opens his mouth in the river - mark fernley wildlife
Brother african elephants walk through the long grass in etosha - mark fernley wildlife

A BROTHERS BOND - ETOSHA
 
Captured in frame, I present to you the bond between two brother elephants found here in Etosha National Park, Northern Namibia

Chameleon walking on a brown branch in botswana - mark fernley wildlife

THE SCULPTURE - 1 - BOTSWANA

A close up of the large and de-contrasted chameleon walking the dry and baren brushlands of northern Botswana. 

Chameleon walking on a branch with a curved tail - mark fernley wildlife

THE SCULPTURE - 2 -BOTSWANA

A large and de-contrasted chameleon walking the dry and baren brushlands of northern Botswana. 

Seals gather at cape cross in namibia - mark fernley wildlife

THE GATHERING - SKELETON COAST

A gathering of Cape Fur seals wrest peacefully on the shores of Cape Cross located in west Namibia.

Two fighting zebras in action - mark fernley wildlife

FIGHTING STRIPES - ETOSHA

Burchell's Zebra photographed fighting in the dry grasses of Etosha National park, Namibia. These two individuals were seen fighting near buy, bighting each other, kicking along with aggressive vocalisations to one another over the mating rites of their nearby females.

A young african lion walks on the sandy river bank - mark fernley wildlife

OUT OF THE SANDS - CHOBE

Young lion rises from the sands and walks towards a nearby puddle as the sun begins to set here in Chobe National Park, Botswana

Charging hippo runs over the grass in chobe - mark fernley wildlife

CHARGE OF ARROGANCE - CHOBE

 



Adult male hippo is spotted and photographed as he explodes out of the water and races over the grazed grass lands to a nearby male in order to protect his territory. Image taken in Chobe National Park, Botswana.

A fish eagle stands on the edge of the river - mark fernley wildlife

ON THE LOOKOUT - OKAVENGO DELTA

African fish eagle captured in frame as he lands on a small mound of grass overlooking the fish in a silent pool of water, here in the great Okavango Delta, Botswana. 

SHALLOW WATERS - HWANGE
 

Here a young female elephant treads the muddy waters of Hwange National park located west of Zimbabwe. With harsh black and muddy water, I get to capture this uniquely painted individual as she enjoys her ability to cool off.   

A muddy african elephant walks into the muddy water - mark fernley wildlife
Snarling male lion shows off his teath in botswana - mark fernley wildlife

FLEHMEN - CHOBE

As this outstanding male lion gets up from the ground here in Chobe National Park, I capture the moment he smalls the female to check she is on heat.

Oxpecker sits on the back of a buffalo in the sun - mark fernley wildlife

LIFE OF AN OXPECKER - NXAI PAN

Oxpecker looks into the distance for predators after feasting on a buffalo's back for ticks and other parasites here in the barren lands of Nxai Pan National Park, Botswana.

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