BON Photography

BON Photography Landscape, wildlife & portrait photographer

Golden light has a way of making everything look peaceful. But in the wild, appearances can be deceiving.This young zebr...
24/07/2026

Golden light has a way of making everything look peaceful. But in the wild, appearances can be deceiving.

This young zebra, with its scars and fresh cuts are a reminder that life here is not gentle - every day is a fight to survive.

We all love the beauty of Africa’s wildlife: the majestic cats, the mighty elephants, and the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. But nature isn’t a fairy tale. It’s not a Disney movie. It’s a world where predators must hunt, prey must stay alert, and only the strongest - or perhaps the luckiest - live to see another day.

This young zebra survived an attack. Those scars are proof. Hopefully, they will heal, and this little one will enjoy many years roaming the plains. But it will always live with the knowledge that danger is never far away.

It’s not cruel - it’s nature. Predator and prey exist together, each essential in maintaining the balance of the wild.

As difficult as it can be to witness, this is the true beauty of nature: honest, untamed, and perfectly balanced.

Wishing this young survivor a long and fortunate life 🦓

22/07/2026

If lions made hair products, they’d probably be the best in the world!

Just look at that magnificent mane! A true king of the African bush, and he definitely knows it.

That swagger, the confidence and even a hint of wink. Tswalu is the most handsome lion I’ve ever seen.

After a long flight to South Africa and the drive from Johannesburg to Madikwe Hills, we barely had time to drop our bag...
21/07/2026

After a long flight to South Africa and the drive from Johannesburg to Madikwe Hills, we barely had time to drop our bags in our suite before heading straight out on our first game drive.

After the initial excitement of seeing buffalos, elephants, zebras - the photo opportunities were endless.

The out from the shrubs emerged this magnificent lioness, confidently leading a pride into the evening. With a near-full moon rising and the last glow of sunset fading, it felt as though the pride was preparing for the hunt and the long night ahead.

An unforgettable first lion sighting - and the perfect start to an incredible adventure. The trip had only just begun.

Band of Brothers 🐆🤎I’ve had so many questions about the five cheetahs I recently shared on my stories, so here’s the sto...
19/07/2026

Band of Brothers 🐆🤎

I’ve had so many questions about the five cheetahs I recently shared on my stories, so here’s the story behind them.

These are five brothers.

When they were very young cubs, their mother was killed by hyenas while protecting them. Too young to survive alone, they were cared for in a protected area where they learned to hunt with as little human intervention as possible before being released back into the wild.

Now around 18 months old, they’re thriving, healthy, and completely self-sufficient.

Because cheetahs are an endangered species, conservationists stepped in to give them a second chance. Some are wearing tracking collars, which help researchers monitor and protect them within this anti-poaching reserve.

Seeing five male cheetahs together like this is incredibly rare. Male siblings often form lifelong coalitions, while females leave to live solitary lives.

We were so lucky to witness these magnificent predators several times during our trip. A privilege I’ll never forget—and a beautiful reminder of why conservation matters.

17/07/2026

Friend or foe?

Oxpeckers spend much of their lives perched on Africa’s large mammals, removing ticks and parasites from rhinos- as pictured here - along with buffalo, giraffe, antelope to name a few.

A symbiotic relationship?

But there’s a twist. Oxpeckers have also been known to keep wounds open so they can feed on blood, making this relationship far more complex than it first appears.

One animal you won’t often see carrying an oxpecker is the elephant. Their thick skin, frequent mud baths and habit of brushing the birds away make them a far less attractive host.

So the debate goes on ….. nature’s true doctor or an opportunist?

The African sky burned deep red as the sun slowly slipped towards the horizon.Then, as if on cue, two lone cheetahs emer...
13/07/2026

The African sky burned deep red as the sun slowly slipped towards the horizon.

Then, as if on cue, two lone cheetahs emerged from the long grass.

They walked silently towards our vehicle, every step deliberate, every movement effortless. Hunting was the only thing on their minds. Their lean, muscular frames hinted at the breathtaking speed they could unleash in an instant, yet there wasn’t a sound as they passed by.

Time seemed to stand still.

Leaning over the side of the jeep, camera and long lens in hand, I could only watch in awe while trying to capture a moment that no photograph can truly do justice.

12/07/2026

3am alarm call for a quick road trip to Mullingar this morning.

As I left Laytown, a beautiful waning crescent 🌙 hung low over the sea.

The target species was the kingfisher, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Before I’d even finished setting up my gear, two were already darting around and perching nearby, ready for the camera.

A very successful morning with plenty of kingfisher action and a few bonus species thrown in for good measure.

Now it’s time to hit the road home for a well-earned late breakfast… or maybe an early lunch! 😊

As cheeky as our own starlings are here, this chap flew back & forth, hopping at our feet, at breakfast in the bush on o...
08/07/2026

As cheeky as our own starlings are here, this chap flew back & forth, hopping at our feet, at breakfast in the bush on our last safari drive.

Ever the opportunist, the Cape Starling (Lamprotornis nitens) is one of South Africa’s most eye-catching birds. Its shimmering blue and green plumage isn’t created by pigment, but by microscopic feather structures that reflect light, giving it an incredible metallic glow.

These intelligent, non-migratory birds thrive in savannas, woodlands, and even suburban gardens, feeding on fruit, insects, and whatever else they can find.

Tiny, colourful, and incredibly skilled—the African little bee-eater is one of the most fascinating birds.It’s a fearles...
07/07/2026

Tiny, colourful, and incredibly skilled—the African little bee-eater is one of the most fascinating birds.

It’s a fearless aerial hunter, catching its prey with remarkable precision. Its vibrant plumage catches your eye, but it’s the hunting skills that truly steal the show.

Perched just inches above the ground, it patiently watches the skies before launching into a lightning-fast aerial chase. Bees, wasps and hornets rarely stand a chance.

What happens next is even more fascinating. Back on its perch, the bee-eater repeatedly strikes its prey against a branch, expertly removing the stinger and venom before enjoying its meal. It’s an instinctive behaviour perfected over thousands of generations.

Watching these tiny birds at work was a reminder that some of nature’s greatest spectacles come in the smallest packages.

Safaris aren’t just about the mammals — Africa’s birds are every bit as colourful and full of character.Meet the Souther...
06/07/2026

Safaris aren’t just about the mammals — Africa’s birds are every bit as colourful and full of character.

Meet the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, affectionately known as the “flying banana” thanks to its oversized yellow bill. This cheeky visitor joined us for breakfast most mornings, ever the opportunist.

Their family life is just as fascinating. After mating, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity, leaving only a narrow slit while the male feeds her throughout incubation. Once the chicks are big enough, she breaks free, reseals the nest, and together they raise their young.

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