Richard Lovelock Photography

Richard Lovelock Photography Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Richard Lovelock Photography, Photographer, Uttoxeter.

Baby brown bears.I returned to Finland for the second time this year, hoping to time it for emerging bear cubs with thei...
04/06/2026

Baby brown bears.
I returned to Finland for the second time this year, hoping to time it for emerging bear cubs with their mothers, from their hibernation dens. I struck gold. Even the rain didn't bother them, and kept the mosquitos at bay for me.

Time for another Africa photo 📸A majestic leopard making its way toward that classic tree-top pose. Leopards are famous ...
01/06/2026

Time for another Africa photo 📸

A majestic leopard making its way toward that classic tree-top pose. Leopards are famous for spending time in trees - not just to rest, but also to keep a lookout and to protect their kills from scavengers such as hyenas and lions.

In fact, they are among Africa's strongest climbers, capable of hauling prey heavier than themselves high into the branches.

What drew me to this image was the contrast in black and white: the rugged texture of the tree trunk against the intricate pattern of the leopard’s spots. The monochrome treatment strips the scene back to its essentials, highlighting shape, texture, and the quiet elegance of one of Africa’s most adaptable and elusive predators.

If you go down to the woods today.... 🐻 The last few weeks have been a whirlwind, taking me from Botswana, back to Finla...
31/05/2026

If you go down to the woods today.... 🐻

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind, taking me from Botswana, back to Finland, and now to Spain in search of lynx.

I'm still working my way through sharing my African safari photos with you, but I couldn't resist giving you a little teaser from my second Finland 🇫🇮 trip of the year. No snow this time - instead, this year's cubs are beginning to emerge from the den with mum and take their first steps into the wider world.

I was lucky enough to capture some truly special moments, and I can't wait to share those images with you over the coming weeks....including kissing baby bears! 📸

For now, it's time to pack up and head out for an afternoon, sunset, and dusk lynx-spotting session. Wish me luck! 🤞🤞🤞

No trip to Africa would be complete without the king of the big cats. 🦁 This magnificent young male was one of two follo...
30/05/2026

No trip to Africa would be complete without the king of the big cats. 🦁

This magnificent young male was one of two following a group of females with cubs. As soon as the females became aware of the males' interest, they quickly moved away to protect their young. Lionesses are fiercely protective mothers, as unfamiliar males can pose a threat to cubs.

The expression on this lion's face is known as the 'Flehmen response' - often jokingly called the "stinky face." By curling back his lips and drawing air over the Jacobson's organ in the roof of his mouth, he's actually analysing chemical signals and pheromones in the air. This helps lions gather information about nearby females, rivals, and territorial boundaries.

What looks like a snarl is really a lion processing some very important scent data!


What's better than a beautiful African sunrise?A beautiful African sunrise being photobombed by a glorious giraffe 🦒, ca...
29/05/2026

What's better than a beautiful African sunrise?

A beautiful African sunrise being photobombed by a glorious giraffe 🦒, casting a striking silhouette!

Sunsets and sunrises can be magical at the best of times, but for photographers they offer a wonderful opportunity to get creative with light.

I really love this photo from my recent trip to Botswana, and I hope you do too 😊

As the sun set, we paused to take in the view with drinks by the water when these hippos made their way towards us. I'm ...
28/05/2026

As the sun set, we paused to take in the view with drinks by the water when these hippos made their way towards us. I'm pretty sure this was a territorial display - they were incredibly active, grunting, splashing and making their presence known. Needless to say, I was very happy that we were on land and they stayed in the water!

Interesting fact: the huge yawn-like mouth opening often seen in hippos isn't always a yawn at all...it's frequently a warning display, showing off their impressive tusk-like canine teeth to rivals and potential threats.

Hippos may be vegetarians, feeding mostly on grass, but they're among Africa's most dangerous large animals. Despite their bulky appearance, they can run surprisingly fast, are highly protective of their territory, and are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than many predators.

A spectacular wildlife encounter! 🦛


Meet the Verreaux’s Owl: Africa’s Giant Night Hunter!We spotted this beauty shorty after entering Moremi game reserve, B...
27/05/2026

Meet the Verreaux’s Owl: Africa’s Giant Night Hunter!

We spotted this beauty shorty after entering Moremi game reserve, Botswana. It's a first for me and I love owls.

Often called the giant eagle-owl, it’s one of Africa’s most impressive nocturnal predators. With its huge size, striking pink eyelids, and deep booming call, this owl is impossible to forget.

And yes… those pink eyelids are real. No Photoshop here!

Most owls hide their eyelids, but the Verreaux’s owl’s eyelids are highly visible and give it an intense, almost prehistoric stare.

So, why the Pink Eyelids?
The exact evolutionary purpose of the Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl’s pink eyelids remains a mystery to ornithologists, as no other owl species shares this unique trait. However, experts have proposed a few strong theories:

Territorial Displays: The bright pink colour is highly conspicuous during mating and territorial displays. It’s likely used as a visual signal to communicate with other owls.

Sun Glare Reduction: Some field researchers suggest the coloration may help reduce sunlight glare while hunting during dawn and dusk.

Thermoregulation: The fleshy, highly vascularized skin could also assist with regulating body temperature in hot African climates.

Even more fascinating: these distinct pink eyelids begin appearing just one week after the chick hatches and remain vibrant throughout adulthood.

And honestly… they make for an incredible photograph. 📸

From the larger cats to the little cats - and the elusive African wildcat (Felis lybica).Perfect masters of camouflage, ...
25/05/2026

From the larger cats to the little cats - and the elusive African wildcat (Felis lybica).

Perfect masters of camouflage, these tiny kittens were discovered tucked away in the bushes while mum was off hunting. Their hiding place was so well concealed that the only clue to their presence came from the frantic alarm calls of nearby birds, warning that predators were close by.

The African wildcat is believed to be the original ancestor of the modern domestic cat, with evidence suggesting humans first domesticated them over 9,000 years ago. Despite their familiar appearance, they are incredibly skilled hunters capable of taking down rodents, birds, reptiles, and even insects with remarkable precision.

Unlike many larger feline species, African wildcats are mostly solitary and highly territorial, relying on stealth rather than strength to survive. Their striped coats provide exceptional camouflage in grasslands and scrub, making them almost invisible in the wild - as these little ones demonstrated perfectly!

Drawn back to Finland for a few days. I'm sure you can see why. This shot of last night's visitor pretty much straight o...
25/05/2026

Drawn back to Finland for a few days. I'm sure you can see why. This shot of last night's visitor pretty much straight out of camera. Now I must grab some sleep before returning tonight.

And so the safari posts begin...I wanted to start with this image as it is the first time I’ve ever captured a leopard u...
24/05/2026

And so the safari posts begin...

I wanted to start with this image as it is the first time I’ve ever captured a leopard up a tree.

We were incredibly blessed to see multiple leopards 🐆 throughout the week (many more posts to follow), but this interaction really stands out as one of those iconic safari moments.

This young female, around a year old, was waiting patiently for her mother to return from what we presume was a hunt. She was completely relaxed in our presence and the time we spent watching her was simply magical.

I’m so happy to have these photographs to add to my gallery and I know I’ll forever enjoy the memories they bring back.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you enjoy these images. And if you’ve ever considered doing an African safari... do it...you'll never be the same again!

Address

Uttoxeter

Telephone

+447830022460

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Richard Lovelock Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Richard Lovelock Photography:

Shortcuts

Share

Category