I should have been on a flight to the Yukon on Wednesday. I was meant, by now, to be sitting on a river with bears. I was, instead, lying on an operating table getting an emergency appendectomy. Don’t let anyone tell you the life of a photographer isn’t full of adventure. Oh, the romance of it all!
Timing couldn’t have been worse. Or better, really. My appendix could have ruptured while I was in Zimbabwe last week, or while sitting on the Nakina River with a helicopter as my only means of extraction. I’m disappointed to the point of tears that I’m not with the bears, but so grateful that the worst of this was really just the pain of it (and that the ambulance didn’t use its sirens, which feels a little like they weren’t taking this seriously).
Still, I’m missing my work—and the bears—and I don’t do well sitting around doing nothing, which is what I’m doing now. Well, not exactly nothing. At least I have you to talk to, and a new book to finish. And painkillers, which should make the new book a lot more fun to read.
I’ll make this short, but it’s been a while. I spent all of July and the first week of August in Zambia and Zimbabwe, focused on new work, guiding some wonderful clients, and falling in love all over again with what I do, where I do it, and the animals I do it with. I spent some beautiful time with leopards, lions, painted wolves, and elephants, ate meals under impossibly starry skies, and was gone so long I started to feel like this could all just be my everyday life.
I spent a lot of time looking for animals, waiting for the light, and hoping they would do something in that light. I grew even more amazed at the ability of my guides to find what we were looking for, often with no more than a partial track or the yelp of a jackal. And sometimes, in rare moments when it all came together, I made some photographs that thrill me.
Here’s a few of those that make me particularly happy. Enjoy.
As always, thank you for being here.
For the Love of the Photograph,
David.
Comments
Sorry the Yukon turned into an operating table, that’s a rough trade. Hope the recovery is quick and the river is still there when you get back to it. Thanks for writing it up anyway — the detours usually make the better story.
Thanks, Jake. You know what they say, “What doesn’t kill you gives you something to blog about!” 🙂
Hi David, hope you feel better soon and return back to action. I have to say these are some of the best photographs of wildlife I’ve seen in a long time. I really love the fact that you include the environment the subjects are in and not just make zoomed-in portraits of animals, which might be good sometimes but very limited. I am also really looking forward to your new book so DON’T take it easy on these painkillers as I really appreciate a bit of humor and fun while reading 🙂
Thank you so much, George. Very kind words, indeed. You know, I was just tapering off the pain meds, but you make a good point and what artist worth his salt hasn’t battled an addiction for the sake of his art? LOL. Kidding. But thank you!
I am sorry you had to miss the bears, but thankful you got the medical attention you needed. I was in Zambia and Zimbabwe in June. It was the trip of a lifetime. I have spent the summer working on the photographs. The guides were incredible and I got some images I am really happy with. Also, I am currently working my way through your ImageWork and ImageStory courses and learning a lot and more importantly thinking a lot.
Get well soon and back in action!
Ricky Workman
Santa Fe, NM
Dearest David, really glad to hear you are safe and healing well with plenty of happy pills while you need them lol! I laughed out loud reading your comment about how your medication is affecting the creation of your new book!
An emergency appendectomy is no laughing matter for sure.
Thank you so much for sharing these amazing images! Your work is always incredible, but some of these made such a huge emotional impact on me, really beyond any of your work that I’ve seen before. The one especially of what I think might be an Impala at the base of the really tall tree with a diagonal branch across the frame for some reason just touches me deeply. The light in that image is just exquisite. Also the upside down leopard was amazing and the elephant pulling what looks like a snake out of the tree …wow!
Anyway just really glad that you’re okay and sending you lots of love and thoughts of speedy healing!
Really kind of you to say so, Rory. Thank you so much. I think the images just reflect what an incredible adventure it was. One of my best ever. It thrills me that the photographs connect with you so well. Thank you! 🙏
Thank you, Ricky. What amazing places Zam and Zim are, hey? Just sent an email to my travel agent this morning to book flights for next May. Can’t wait.
Just as I was about to turn off the light for a good night rest, I saw your email and article about you appendectomy! by now I’m sure you’re back in business. Very glad you didn’t go to see the bears with that bad appendix, I’ve been to Alaska in September and it was awesome to see them fishing. Your photographs are breathtaking, One of them, a lioness with a Buffalo horn close to her head, I noticed she has a blind eye on the right, and scars on her face, she’s been around. The light on your photographs is just spectacular. Love them. Thank you, and happy shooting.
Hey David,
Like you, I’m currently stuck at home, forced to do nothing while I recover from surgery. I know how you feel. An appendicitis can be very dangerous, and I’m really glad to hear that you’re doing well.
Warm regards from a silent reader in
Berlin, Germany
Boris, thank you for that. Sending you healing wishes. I hope you’re back on your feet as quickly as I seem to be.
Best wishes for a fast and full recovery. Those images are sublime. I cannot get the upside-down leopard and elephants-under-the-tree out of my head, and for that I thank you! 🙂
Thank you, Megan. 🙏
Somehow I know what you are going through having myself endured a concussion in March followed by a heart attack in June. Life throws a lot of curve balls our way and you have had your share!
My very best wishes for your speedy recovery. I know you will be counting the days before you can get out there and taking more of your wonderful photographs that leave us all breathless.
Wow, David, what a challenging time you’ve been through. Thank you for the kind words, I hope you’re recovering and back to normal or even “better than ever” soon!
The next trip will be awesome! Wish you a quick and complete recovery.
Thanks, Lind. On the plus side, I’m already packed!
Beautiful photos, David! I really enjoy reading your posts. I do hope you heal quickly (my son had a ruptured appendix, so I have some understanding of what you’re going through). As you said, it’s so disappointing to be missing being with the bears, this could’ve been so much worse had it happened while you were on your trip!! I’ll be thankful for that!
Thank you Patty. I hope your son is back to normal. I’m reconciled to the idea that there’s a silver lining on this cloud, not the least of which is still being alive. 😂
Here’s to a speedy recovery!
I’d be bummed about no sirens too! What’s the point then – could have just driven yourself 😉
Exactly!! I had to make the siren noises myself! The EMT thought I was out of my mind… 😂
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Love the images and love getting an email like this (not the appendectomy part – but the sharing!).
Look forward to the new (even if possibly drug induced) book and I agree that it’s annoying the ambulance didn’t use the siren!! 🙂
Thank you, Jen. The new book is now submitted to my editor and the publisher takes it from there. Still a long road ahead before it’s printed but I’m hoping by March it should be out?
I love your wildlife images. I hope you have a speedy recovery and can get back out into the field soon.
Thank you so much, Joanne. I’m already feeling about 80% and ready for my next trip. It won’t be until October and I’m holding my breath!
Thoughts out to you David for a speedy recovery. I feel especially for you as 13 years ago my appendix ruptured just 2 days after a situation in which there would have been very little chance to me to get appropriate care. So I’m very happy yours had the politeness to wait until you were close to proper care to do so.
I can only imagine how impatient you will be to be with the bears next October.
Until then take good care of yourself.
Thanks so much, Jean-Philippe. We’re lucky men. I had no idea the appendix could cause so much trouble. Nice to know it’s gone now!
DAVID, I still remember my appendicitis attack and appendectomy and it was 60 years ago! I suspect I recovered a whole lot faster than you will you’re right young age! But moving onto your photographs from this trip
I think I recognize something different about these than previous images, three things come to mind. The first is they feel more intimate, the second is they feel more playful, and thirdly they feel more for lack of a better word au naturale, and by that what I am recognizing is that your images now sometimes contain multiple critters of different species or multiples of the same species. Perhaps it’s a broader perspective, while still retaining the intimacy of being a close and personal without the feeling of having isolated, an individual animal. Does that make sense?
I suspect it’s a scary notion, but I trust that bear camp came off without you…? And you having not been there with the new owners probably we’re not able to garner much in the way of information to determine whether you will do them again. I trust we’ll hear more on that topic in the future.
Thanks, Steven. My Bear Camp trip will still go ahead and I’ll be there. I’ve missed a different adventure, just some time for me to be with the bears, but come October I’ll be at Chilco with my people and my bears. Can’t wait!
Wishing you a speedy recovery David.Every time you come back you’ve produced images that are not only different than before but even better. These are just wow please don’t make me pick a favourite
You are so kind to say so, Irene. I feel like my work is becoming stronger, more my own. Like after 40+ years I’m still figuring this out, over and over again. I love the challenge! Thank you for the encouragement.
David, as you recover, enjoy the stunning retrospectives on your recent rip!
Thank you! Lots of editing still to do and wonderful memories attached to them all.
Get well fast David and thanks for years of seeing your beautiful pictures and reading your insightful and inspiring words.
Thank you, Martin!
Thanks for the beautiful images. Glad to know you are recovering and can’t wait hear and see some more beautiful work from your trips. Wishing you a quick recovery recovery so you can get back on the trail of beautiful photography.
Thank you so much, Javier! 🙏
Oh David, your photos make it so easy for me to follow your call to “Enjoy.” Wonderfully captured moments—light, gesture, color—the delicate detail—a joy and balm for the soul.
Memories of my only trip to Africa decades ago come flooding back: and as I look at your photos, I feel a sense of joy within me at the beauty we can find and experience on this planet.
The last photo in the series is truly outstanding! Graphic, yet with spatial depth and the warmth of Africa. What focal length do you need to compose such a tight frame while getting as close as possible to the animals?
I find the image so wonderful because, on the one hand, it shows a scene that probably everyone has observed at least once: an elephant drinking—at the zoo, or in a nature documentary—and perhaps even directly in the elephants’ natural habitat—and that’s why it seems simple.
And at the same time, it’s not at all simple to capture the details of the elephant drinking with its trunk so beautifully: the shape of the head, mouth, trunk, and tusks, which stand out so beautifully against the background—and, to top it all off, the pachyderm’s hair and the falling water droplets.
Thanks for sharing this photo series!
And in all the excitement over the photos, I almost forgot: Get well soon! And may the coming year be one in which you have no reason to write about your health…
Thank you, Hanno. Your comment made me smile (as did the email my team forwarded to me – thank you!). I can’t tell you what your encouragement means to me. Happily, I’m mending well, probably at about 80% now and already back to making plans to return to Zambia.
Beautiful images with marvelous light! Wish you well with complete recovery from the surgery. Take care.
Thank you, Janis!
well this news sucks! except the part that you are now in recovery and life will be great again. Very glad it didn’t happen in Z or at the river with the bears. I can’t wait to read the new book written with the help of drugs instead of AI-a new concept, LOL. feel better soon , David.
Thanks, Brenda. No AI in the book, or anything I do. I promise. Just the ramblings of a guy trying to figure this stuff out, ya know? 🙂
Wow, some of these photos are even more fantastic than we’ve become accustomed to! Hope you recover quickly and get back out doing what you love.
Thank you Mary Ellen. I’ll post some really crap images next time. I worry about raising the bar too high. 😂
Gals to hear it happened while near medical resources even if the timing sucks. Praying for quick healing for you David.
Thank you, Steve! It’s all worked out just fine and I’m mostly recovered. Still taking it easy, and Cynthia thinks I’m wrong about being able to eat all the ice cream I want (she keeps insisting that’s for tonsils, but whatever). But I’m mostly back to normal. Thanks for the kind words. One day I hope to get this many comments on a blog post without resorting to a medical emergency of some kind. 😂
Alright, you’re always talking about stretching our creativity. How about portraits of the nursing staff. I suggest about 2AM when things are calm. That seems to work best. Hope you recover soon.
The elephant’s trunk!!! Oh, my! You can’t get a bear to do anything that beautiful, graceful, and unique!
Well, no, but if bears had trunks! Imagine how good the pictures would be!! 😂
Thanks, John. Post surgery and under heavy pain meds is probably not the time for that, but I like the spirit of it! 🙂
Beautiful photos David. You had some amazing light. Sorry to hear about the Appendectomy. glad you are recovering. Just got Jo back from the hospital this week from her cancer surgery. She is doing well. We’ll see how the next 6 months go. Say hi to Cynthia for us.
Thank you, Jim. Send us an update about Jo when you get a moment? Sending you both so much love!! ❤️😘
Always enjoy seeing your email in my Sunday inbox. Hope your recovery is going smoothly.
Thank you, Michael. Recovery is about 80% and better every day!
Love your elephants – somehow you have a way to portray them in a whole new way!
Thanks, Sandy. It could be that what you see is the love sneaking into the image. ❤️🐘
Always enjoy seeing your email in my Sunday inbox. Hope your recovery is going smoothly.
Amazing photos!
As for the appendectomy, this is why my wife and I (we’re both in our early 70s) always tack on travel insurance.
Hi David, You are here, all the best and don’t forget – the bears will wait for you … good healing and I look forward to read your new book. Love from germany
Thank you! I do worry that the bears won’t recognize me without my appendix but I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it!
Thanks! And yes to travel medical insurance. And medical evac insurance. I won’t ever let my MedJetAssist.com membership elapse.
Some fabulous images (as usual !) David making me fantasise about making such a trip part of my normal life ! Not going to happen, but would be under your leadership if it was ! All part of your attitude of actually best time to happen as appendectomy could have had much worse consequences. Enjoy the brain workout that comparative immobility gives you the opportunity for, and get well soon !
If and when the time is right, Rob. Would love to introduce you to these places.
Awesome images. Glad you are being looked after and while the timing is bad it could have been so much worse. Hope your healing goes smoothly.
Thank you, Mikki! Healing well and back to about 80%. Nothing wrong with slowing down now and then. 🙂
I was sharing your fall and eventual decision about your leg with an amputee I met in Cowichan Lake who has similar hardware and an equally positive attitude to yours. I could not have imagined you would land on another operating table only four days after that conversation! I’m very sorry you’re not with the bears, but am enjoying your photos from southern Africa, as I’m perpetually missing being there.
All the best for an easy and speedy recovery!
Thanks! You know, at some point, I’d love to get some attention by NOT going to the hospital. My team says kidnapping is an option, but I’m on the fence about that one. If you’re ever up towards Nanoose Bay, drop me a note and we’ll get coffee…I hope your friend is doing well. My amputation was the best choice I’ve made in many years!
Truly engaging and fantastic photos. I feel like I am exploring the landscape with you and seeing how the animals live rather than just looking at a portrait of an animal. Be well and recover quickly.
Thanks Doug. You exactly expressed my intent here. More and more I’m looking for scenes, not just subjects. Story! Recovery is going well, thanks! I’ll be back at in in no time.
Wow. Beautiful shots, David. Stunning captures. Sorry about the medical bullshit, that sucks. Hope you’re back with the bears soon.
Yeah, but the drugs are soooo good. LOL. Thanks, buddy. Much appreciated.
Some bangers in there, David…here’s to a quick recovery. You won’t miss the appendix!
Thanks Gord. I’m already thinking I should have done this years ago! 🙂
Feel better my friend. You’ve got alot more exploring to do!
Thank you, sir. Feeling like a million bucks and already back to work ! Talk soon.
Truly wonderful shots, David. Wishing you a quick and full recovery.
Thank you, Lee!