I have been fortunate to photograph in many places of outstanding natural beauty in Southern Africa and the USA. However, one place which truly touched my very soul is the Namib Desert. Like most deserts, the Namib at first glance has little to offer in terms of fauna and flora. Nothing could be further from the truth. Also, I learnt many years ago that in order to become a proficient nature photographer, I first had to learn the ecology and ethology of both wilderness areas and species. This is very much the case with the Central Namib, and with time I became enraptured with the incredible interactions between animal and environment, and the delicate natural balances which allow the coexistence of different species in this harsh environment.
Gemsbok (Oryx Gazella) are animals totally in tune with their environment. Their Namib Desert home only receives a few sparse millimeters of annual rainfall. The dunes in this particular region (Sossusvlei) are some of the highest in the world, reaching up to 300m high. Here, the Gemsbok can exist without surface water for long periods, even in the dune fields away from the dry riverbeds; obtaining the water they need from the unique desert vegetation, and having special physiological adaptations to conserve moisture and maintain their body temperature. I had worked with this particular group of Gemsbok (a bachelor herd) for some time, and could predict their movements over the dunes, picking the easiest approach angle and using their “rocking horse” gait for efficient passage over the dune crests where the sand is less packed and stable. When shooting environmental images, I try to emphasize an animal’s relationship to its home, and this is the essence of the image shown here.
Image available as a Limited Edition Print.
