Allison Sponder Photography

Allison Sponder Photography I'm Allison, a newly qualified field guide and aspiring wildlife photographer showing my best moments

Locked In How could you not fall in love with those big brown eyes 🤎 Alaska and these bears are stealing my heart. •••••...
25/08/2025

Locked In

How could you not fall in love with those big brown eyes 🤎 Alaska and these bears are stealing my heart.
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The elephant in the room 🐘Elephants are a keystone species and the key to our hearts 🫶🏼 To be in their presence is to be...
13/08/2025

The elephant in the room 🐘

Elephants are a keystone species and the key to our hearts 🫶🏼 To be in their presence is to be humbly reminded of how fragile and small you really are, but also to be connected and understood. Despite their massive size, their movements are delicate, quiet, and intentional. However, their energy is that of an active volcano, graceful and still, yet holding the raw power to reshape the world in a heartbeat. They hold themselves gracefully until the world calls for more, for an eruption.
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When the unexpected becomes reality 🥹 In most occasions an animal walking away from you doesn’t make for a good photo, b...
05/08/2025

When the unexpected becomes reality 🥹

In most occasions an animal walking away from you doesn’t make for a good photo, but something told me this day that I should give it a try. I’m so glad I did 🫶🏼
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Misunderstood ✨Still one of my favorite shots and species 🫶🏼 It breaks my heart that I still see so much hate for hyenas...
29/07/2025

Misunderstood ✨

Still one of my favorite shots and species 🫶🏼 It breaks my heart that I still see so much hate for hyenas, and for what? A cartoon disney movie? A couple of videos where they stole a kill from someone (as if other predators wouldn’t do that)? I don’t understand all the hate they receive. Hyenas are undoubtedly unique and special. Their curiosity, intelligence, and strength stand out. Every species in the wild does things we may not necessarily like, but they do it to survive. They use the skills they have to their best ability in order to sustain themselves and future generations. It’s as simple as that.
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Last light…🌞🦁We sat with the pride of lions for over an hour as they basked in the last glimpse of sunlight, but as soon...
28/07/2025

Last light…🌞🦁

We sat with the pride of lions for over an hour as they basked in the last glimpse of sunlight, but as soon as the sun began to fade they came to life. We seemingly watched from a window into their world as they slowly began to move, stopping every so often for a yawn, to take in their surroundings, or give a low contact call. They made their way to a watering hole for a short drink before disappearing into the darkness.

It’s moments like these, witnessing the raw truth of the wild, where I feel the most connected and calm. In the chaos the sense of wild is more obvious, but in the quiet moments there’s an undeniable feeling of courage and certainty. In the wild things are more intricate and complex than we often realize, but at the end of the day the wild just is. In one way it’s a much more chaotic world, and in others it’s so much simpler.
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Looks that could kill 👀•••••••••
22/07/2025

Looks that could kill 👀

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The Journey 🦁Within the span of a year, I was privileged to watch this male and his brother go from young boys to kings ...
21/07/2025

The Journey 🦁

Within the span of a year, I was privileged to watch this male and his brother go from young boys to kings as they took over as the dominant males in the reserve. They’ve definitely fathered many cubs and are doing their best to continue their leadership and legacy. However, it’s not easy and there are no guarantees. Three males were born to their original pride just over a year ago and if they are anything like their older brothers, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
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Little moments 🤍 It’s the little moments of connection that always mean the most. ••••• ...
15/07/2025

Little moments 🤍

It’s the little moments of connection that always mean the most.
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Mukutsuri ✨🐆Forever one of my favorite pictures, the moment I met my favorite leopard. He graciously earned the Shangaan...
14/07/2025

Mukutsuri ✨🐆

Forever one of my favorite pictures, the moment I met my favorite leopard. He graciously earned the Shangaan name Mukutsuri. The redeemer. He was not only the reserves most famous leopard for how comfortable and confident the young male was, compared to the others who were more elusive, but he would often show up in times of hardship. When things were quiet, as if every other species had all coordinated a collective day off, Mukutsuri would reveal himself and give us more than we could hope for.
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