Wildlife

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21 Inspiring Wildlife Photographers to Follow on Instagram

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Will Burrard-Lucas

With close to 200,000 followers, Burrard-Lucas is one of the most followed wildlife photographers on Instagram. He is somewhat of a pioneer in the industry, having invented new gadgets including “BeetleCam” and “BeetleCopter”. His "Camtraptions" have helped him to achieve beautiful wildlife images from very unique angles the latest of which includes incredible nighttime images of a highly-elusive black leopard in Kenya.

David Lloyd

One of my personal favourites, David Lloyd is a New Zealand born photographer that has taken some of the best African animal shots out there. He is particularly skilled at capturing portraits that help the viewer to really connect with the subject and prefers to shoot in black and white. Lloyd’s fine art prints are often on exhibition and can be purchased on his website. For those based in the UK, look out for his photography workshops hosted by the British Wildlife Centre.

Konsta Punkka

Based in Helsinki, Finland, Konsta Punkka has managed to develop a style I am in total awe of. His wonderfully unique depiction of woodland animals including bears, foxes, and deer are truly a joy to behold. Most of his shots are moody and dramatic, with many other photographers aiming to emulate his work, but Punkka’s portfolio remains at the very top. A photographer whose work I'd happily decorate my home with.

Melissa Groo

Best known for her bird photography, Melissa Groo's feed contains perfectly composed shots often comprising soft hues and low contrast. Groo also posts some stunning images of mammals if birds aren't your cup of tea.

LEIGH WOODS

Shameless, perhaps, but when you write an article on wildlife photographers that gets a lot of hits I think it’s okay for a little self-promotion. I draw inspiration from all of the incredible photographers on this list, but those who have influenced my work the most are Shaaz Jung, Konsta Punkka and David Lloyd. Like many of the incredible artists featured in this article, I’m passionate about conservation and use my work to raise funds for non-profits like The Born Free Foundation, whose mission is to keep wildlife in the wild.

Brian Skerry

With over half a million Instagram followers, Brian Skerry is one of the most popular wildlife photographers on social media. A wildlife photojournalist for National Geographic magazine, he is an expert in marine wildlife and underwater environments. From the tropical reefs of the Indian Ocean to the freezing waters below the polar ice, Skerry has dedicated more than 10,000 hours to capturing amazing underwater images from all over the world.

Richard Peters

Awarded "European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015", Richard Peter's work is artistically composed with a combination of dramatic lighting and a minimalist feel. Most of his images are animal portraits exhibiting intense emotion and expressions. His unique style enables the viewer to engage with the subject in a way that most other photographers can't achieve.

Lee Fisher

Up there with the best photographers on this list, Lee Fisher has an incredible portfolio of wildlife images comprising some of my personal favourite subjects (Lion, Leopard, and Deer). Each image is a work of art in itself and would grace the walls of just about any home.

Shannon Wild

Shannon Wild is an Australian wildlife photographer and cinematographer based mainly in Africa. She is one of the few photographers that has mastered the art of creating vibrant and colourful photos without going too heavy with contrast or saturation. While most of her images contain African animals, she also has some amazing shots from the Arctic.

Shaaz Jung

Shaaz Jung runs his own safari camps in southern India and spends most of his time in the forest. This lifestyle has afforded him the opportunity to capture some of the best images of big cats that I've ever seen. I am particularly in awe of the beautiful leopard shots in his collection.

Austin Thomas

Another top bird photographer who has attracted many Instagram followers for his photos of walking owls and close-up shots of bobbing pelicans. His feed also contains some magnificent images of birds of prey in flight.

Brian Scott

This photographer has nailed the art of animal portraits and has a very similar style to that of Lee Fisher (particularly his black and white lion shots). All of his images have a very clean and crisp feel to them that makes them very pleasing on the eye. His work on birds draws particular attention.

Beverley Joubert

An award winning photographer and videographer, Beverly Joubert works with her husband Dereck to produce some of the most epic wildlife conservation documentaries including "The Last Lions" and "Eye of the Leopard". Most of her images reveal high contrasts with earthy tones. Her feed has a good mix of artistically composed and candid shots.

Sudhir Shivaram

Sudhir Shivaram is an award winning photographer that specialises in wildlife photography learning tours and workshops. Based in Bangalore, India, his work on tigers and Asian leopards are particularly noteworthy. Shivaram is one of the best photographers to follow for those who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the art of photography.

Jon Cornforth

A great all-rounder with a portfolio of stunning photographs taken on land, underwater, and in the sky. Jon Cornforth is an award winning wilderness photographer that has built up a beautiful collection of images that he shares on his Instagram account. Personally, I'm a big fan of his humpback whale shots taken off the coast of Hawaii.

Suzi Eszterhas

If you're into cute baby animals then Suzi Esztherhas is the one person on this list you should definitely follow on Instagram. Suzi has published over 100 magazine cover and feature stories worldwide, with her stunning images of animal mothers and their young being very popular with followers.

Brendon Cremer

As a professional photo safari guide, Brendon Cremer has the added advantage that comes with knowledge in animal behaviour. His style is unique, with many of his images containing subjects in unorthodox poses. Some of the photos are very candid and his choice of composition is often out of the box, but that's what makes his work so interesting.  

Kaisa Lappalainen

With one of the classiest portfolios on the list, Kaisa Lappalainen has managed to collect a fantastic set of images that cover a diverse range of species. She has managed to develop a series of striking wildlife photos without using heavy contrasts or vibrant hues. I'm a big fan of her work on bears, puffins, and orca.

Morne Hardenberg

As a huge shark fan, I just had to put Morne Hardenberg on the list. Specialising in both photography and cinematography, his Instagram feed contains some spectacular shots of a wide variety of shark species. The Burrard-Lucas of the sea, he has managed to capture many of his photographs from very unique angles.

Joel Sartore

I'm a particular fan of Joel Sartore because he uses his photography to draw attention toward conservation efforts to save endangered species. His animal portraits are incredibly beautiful and the type that one might stare at for hours. Be sure to follow Sartore if you enjoy close-ups and support conservation.

Paul Nicklen

I've saved the wildlife photographer on this list with the most Instagram follows until last. With a whopping three million people following his feed, it's not hard to understand why he has so many fans given his exquisite portfolio. Hands down one of the best conservation photographers in the world, Nicklen is renowned for his marvellous work on both the north and south poles.

If you liked this article, you can also follow updates on similar articles by following my own wildlife photography Instagram account @woodswildlife

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Jumbo Haven

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Elephant Nature Park

Conservation Meets Ecotourism at Thailand’s Most Famous Elephant Sanctuary

Millions of tourists flock to Thailand every year to view its magnificently diverse landscapes, embrace the rich Buddhist culture, and dine on the exotic local cuisine. Itineraries also often include an elephant trek through the country’s dense rainforests or a visit to one of Thailand’s many flamboyant animal circuses. Unbeknown to many of these tourists, the animals that perform for their pleasure, have undergone many hardships in the process of their domestication – perhaps none more so than the Asian elephant.

The world’s second-largest land animal – runner-up only to the African elephant – has been an iconic symbol to the colourful kingdom formerly known as Siam for thousands of years. But much like China’s Giant Panda and the Bengal Tiger of India, Thailand’s national animal is fast becoming an endangered species.

Commonly used in warfare in earlier years, these graceful beasts have more recently been domesticated and pressed into service in the logging and tourism industries. Logging was banned in Thailand in 1989 and up until then, had been a prominent factor toward the rapid acceleration of deforestation within the country. Ironically, the working elephants contributed to the destruction of their own habitat, and in collaboration with the fact that their owners had no further practical nor profitable use for them, they were subsequently sold into the tourism and entertainment industries.

Elephants are naturally wild animals and although attacks on humans are extremely rare, necessary precautions must be taken due to their colossal size and astonishing strength. Within local communities in Thailand it is believed that to become sufficiently obedient to interact and work with humans, elephants must go through a ritual named Phajaan.

As young as four years old, the infant elephant is separated from its mother to undergo a severe, almost humiliating taming process conducted by men known as shaman. The young calf is confined into a small space and held tightly in place using constricting ropes and chains. The procedure involves physical torture including poking and prodding with sharp implements such as knives and bamboo sticks with nails embedded in the end. Other methods include food, water and sleep deprivation. The elephant must endure this until the shaman senses that it has become submissive enough to work for its owner.

Almost all of Thailand’s domesticated elephants – whether rode whilst trekking, performing tricks or street begging – must endure this gruelling ritual. It’s an unpleasant reality unbeknown to the majority of tourists who arrive in Thailand expecting an authentic encounter with wildlife.  However, there are opportunities for tourists to experience encounters with these majestic beasts that are not detrimental to their welfare.

Nestled in a remote valley amongst northern Thailand’s lush green hills lies an animal rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary named Elephant Nature Park (ENP). Located around 60 km from Thailand’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai, ENP offers its visitors a unique experience that sets it apart from many other wildlife sanctuaries. Founded in 1990 by twice awarded Thai Woman of the Year Lek Chailert, the sanctuary currently provides a retirement home to around 40 elephants rescued from the tourism and logging trades. It is also a haven for cats and dogs that were victims of the 2011 floods.

The rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park spend most of their days roaming through the expansive park grounds with little to no human interaction.

The rescued elephants at Elephant Nature Park spend most of their days roaming through the expansive park grounds with little to no human interaction.

The sanctuary’s residents are free to roam the expansive grounds, which include a long winding river and mountains densely coated in thick forest. The goal of the organisation is to provide a natural environment for previously abused elephants, along with educating visitors about ways in which they can contribute towards the conservation of the Asian elephant and its natural habitat. Elephant rides, painting, and tricks are not available at the park.

Elephants are very social animals and remain in family herds for most of their lives. ENP’s residents have come from numerous different backgrounds, each with their own distressing story – yet they have naturally bonded with one another and formed their own herds.

Jokia is a gentle 51-year-old elephant that was rescued from the logging industry and is a favorite amongst many of the park’s visitors. Before arriving at the sanctuary she was blinded by her owner after refusing to work when her newborn calf was permanently separated from her. Her owner believed that by removing her vision, she would refrain from searching for her calf and thus continue working.

Taking care of the elephants at the park would not be easy without the mahouts.

Taking care of the elephants at the park would not be easy without the mahouts.

Medo was also used for logging where she gained a crippling injury to her ankle after a heavy log landed on her. The deformity prevented her from continuing in the industry and in turn, Medo was subjected to a forced breeding program which resulted in a dislocated hip and backbone. After more than twenty years of torture, she was finally rescued by Lek in 2006.

The park attempts to rehabilitate its elephants from their horrifying pasts and also acts as a veterinary practice for others not owned by the sanctuary itself. Many elephant keepers – known in Thailand as mahouts – bring their sick or injured animals for treatment that they could not otherwise afford.

A bull elephant’s breakfast

A bull elephant’s breakfast

Elephant Nature Park offers its guests a variety of options when visiting the park – from the “Elephant Volunteer” package to the “Learning Elephant” day-trip. Typical activities include preparing food for the elephants before feeding some of the park’s older and mellower female tenants. Guests are led by knowledgeable and informative English speaking guides to walk freely amongst the gentle giants who are each monitored by their own personal mahout. After an appetizing buffet is presented for lunch at the open-aired, timber-built lodge, visitors are encouraged to accompany the elephants for bathing time in the shallow pebble-bedded river.

At the end of each fun-filled day, visitors tend to leave with a new sense of appreciation for wildlife and ethical tourism. The small gift shop offers them the chance to adopt an elephant and in return receive monthly updates on the chosen adoptees wellbeing and rehabilitation progress. All funds raised by the park go towards the welfare of its elephants, the restoration of the surrounding rainforest and educating the public about how they can help protect the Asian Elephant population.

Elephant Nature Park is one of the most awe-inspiring and profoundly emotional experiences available to tourists visiting Thailand. Its unique, heartwarming atmosphere helps it to exceed all visitor’s expectations and deliver an enlightening journey into the deepest roots of the Asian Elephant’s spirit.

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Diving "White Death"

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Great White Shark Diving

HANGING OUT WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Sharks have always fascinated me and none more so than the infamous great white. Since first watching David Attenborough’s Wildlife on One, I’d envisioned one day experiencing a close up encounter with the most notorious of beasts that lurk the deep blue. Feared by most who step foot into the water, great white sharks have unjustifiably earned themselves a bad reputation through exaggerated media stories and, most notably, the blockbuster film Jaws. 

The great white shark is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN red list, however, estimations made by leading shark biologists state there are fewer than 3,500 individuals, making them more vulnerable to extinction than the tiger. Some sources claim that their population is growing while others argue it is declining. In light of this, I felt it was high time I realised my dream of coming face-to-face with the sharks before it might be too late.

It was during my spell in South Africa that the time had come to bring my long awaited meeting with Carcharodon carcharias to fruition. I had been travelling along the picturesque Garden Route and chose to spend a few days in Hermanus, a quaint little town situated on a mountainous bay and one of the world’s hotspots for whale watching. Between May and September, southern right whales annually migrate from the Antarctic to give birth to their young in the warmer waters of South Africa’s coastline. The town is also situated about a 40-minute drive away from one of the most famous great white shark hotspots in the world, Gansbaai.

I entrusted White Shark Ecoventures to ensure that there would be no chance of disappointment. After a quick breakfast and an induction informing us on all of the safety regulations, we set off out to sea. My initial excitement quickly turned to apprehension as the realisation set in that I would soon be plunging into the water with a one-and-a-half-tonne fish that some call “White Death”. I began to play out disastrous scenarios in my head, asking myself questions such as “What if the cage detaches itself from the boat and we sink toward the seabed?”, and “What if the shark breaks through the cage and gobbles me up?”

Before I knew it, we had arrived at Shark Alley and the boat engines came to a halt. A pair of tuna heads coupled with a bucket full of chum were tossed into the surrounding water and then the wait began. Around half an hour of gazing into the grey/blue void had passed before a large silhouette emerged from the depths of the murky sea. I suspiciously squinted my eyes to block out the glare reflecting off the shimmering surface, and then I was certain. “Shark! shark!”, I excitedly called to the boat captain as the ten-foot-long adolescent male menacingly glided closer toward the starboard side of the boat. Without a moment’s hesitation, we were instructed to put on our snorkels and climb down into the steel cage. Still nervous about all of the potentially catastrophic situations that had been running through my mind, I cautiously lowered myself into the only thing that would separate me from the three sharks that were already circling the boat. Strangely, all of my worries filtered away and were replaced with serenity the moment I entered the water. There was something so tranquil about being alone with my thoughts beneath the ocean swell.

As the first shark gradually appeared from out of the shadows, I remember feeling completely at peace, entirely without fear as the apex predator gracefully edged closer. As he quietly swam by, I couldn’t help but stare intensely into his almost extraterrestrial jet black eyes. Though virtually impossible to distinguish exactly where a great white is directing its gaze, somehow I knew that he was looking at me, sussing me out.

Soon after, two more sharks began to encircle the boat and I found myself surrounded from all angles. I never felt threatened, not once. Sharing a few moments in the cold South African winter waters with the great whites helped me to understand that they had absolutely no interest in causing me any harm, despite a few heavy bumps against the cage. Each shark was only interested in the bait that had lured them into our vicinity in the first place.

It was only when the sharks surged for the glum looking tuna heads that I was reminded of the immense power and killer instinct that great whites possess. With the ability to accelerate from a leisurely swim to incredible speeds in the blink of an eye, each shark would dart toward the bait with eyes rolled back and jaws wide open. On a few occasions, some of the sharks would actually breach, thrashing their streamlined bodies around as they cleared the water surface entirely.

After spending around an hour in complete euphoria in the water, it was finally time to call it a day and we reluctantly headed back to the harbour. I spent the next few days totally in awe of the brief encounter I’d had with one of the greatest forces of nature to inhabit our planet.

Shark populations have been decimated over the past 100 years due to overfishing, trophy hunting, culling and finning. There are some that firmly believe that these atrocities are beneficial to mankind and that due to unprovoked attacks on humans, we would be better off in a world without them. I’d argue that stepping out of our natural environment and into theirs is to provoke a naturally curious animal and that as apex predators, sharks are undoubtedly essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems that we and many other species depend on. Furthermore, attacks on humans are extremely rare and are often a consequence of mistaken identity.

Since that significant day I spent in Shark Alley, thoughts have stirred in my mind about what it would be like to live in a world without great white sharks and how many more species would soon follow them into extinction. As custodians of our beautiful planet, I believe that it is our moral obligation to ensure that this very real possibility does not become a tragic reality.