Sunnyside Studio

I used to be an expert on gazelle recognition: I think these are Thomson's Gazelle, but the knowlege has faded through years of unuse. Will someone out there please confirm or put me right.

Thirty years ago, Nairobi National Park was the only one where I felt the animals were being overwhelmed by visitors. Any pride of lions was constantly surrounded by a swarm of minibuses. I wonder what it is like today.

Elephants cannot see very well but this female knew we were there, and is beginning to warn us against coming any closer to her and her baby. The flapping ears is the first sign of possible aggression and we quickly took the hint and left her in peace.

Elephants in this region seem to be smaller on average than the populations in other areas.

There is no question as to what this is! The trip from the Murchison Falls Hotel down the river to the falls themselves is one of life's great experiences and unlikely to fade in the memory.

In places the banks were lined with crocodiles, which would scuttle down into the river with terrifying speed, causing a great churning and commotion in the water and no little nervousness among the passengers in what was afterall a rather small and fragile craft.

All these images were taken between 1967 and 1973, using very basic 35mm equipment, in Uganda. Much has changed since then. In particular it is now too dangerous to roam at will, as we did then, in the remoter northern and eastern regions.

There were lots of lions in Kidepo in those days. This pair of lionesses, with some cubs, are finishing off the remains of their kill.

I am calling this bird a heron, but I am not really sure. Perhaps someone would e-mail me the correct name. I think it was photographed from a boat as we took the trip down the Nile to the Murchison Falls.

Lesson for all photographers: make notes of your subjects because you will forget.