Image by Jeff Ayliffe

I visited the Aquila Private game reserve this weekend to shoot some images for the owner, and experienced something that I have felt before.

Coming face to face with a lion stirs something inside me. People of the ocean call the Great White Shark the supreme predator, and it certainly has evolved through history to become a beautifully graceful and supreme predator. For me however, the lion has a regal presence that is unmatched. It has no doubt about its place in nature, and direct eye contact is met, and held, with impunity by these impressive animals. The eyes mirror the soul so they say, and here you see a soul that is constantly alert, aware, calculating and looking.

The crocodile is one of Africa’s deadliest. Get close enough to make eye contact, and that same message comes from the soul. He’s calculating distance, smell, movement and as ever..opportunity. Its all in the eyes, and I have a desire to spend time learning about these animals. Image below by Jeff Ayliffe