Wildlife Photography Adventures – Photographers Share Their Favourite Encounters
Wildlife has a way of surprising us, making us wait for the moment, and displaying an array of behaviour, patterns, and experiences that have us smiling behind the lens. Our best images are often unplanned, fleeting, and also, a little humbling. From African plains to Austrian cemeteries, this collection of wildlife experience is compiled with work from the talented members of The Travel Photography Club.
Each image reflects not only the beauty of the animals encountered but also the patience, creativity, and respect that go into photographing wildlife in the wild. Please note there is one image of an animal relocation for conservation purposes, an important experience that contributes to the welfare and future of the Black Rhino population.
Scroll down to explore a wild world through the lenses of our talented members…
The Experience: Photographing the Elusive Otters of Scotland
Photographer: Suzanne Easton (Website | Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: The otters in Scotland are elusive. It takes time, patience and planning to see them. They emerge with the tides, hunting along the shoreline and in the shallows for crabs, fish and octopus. This otter had been moving along the shore in torrential rain for an hour before it arrived close to where I was hidden. He came straight towards me to land his catch and ended up being so close I could hear each crunch of the crab. I knew he had caught my scent but after a fleeting moment of eye contact, he continued to eat as I held my breath.
The Experience: Snow Monkeys in Nagano, Japan
Photographer: Dorothy Rausa (Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: This photo was taken at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano, Japan, home to the famous snow monkeys (Japanese macaques) that soak in natural hot springs. It was surreal watching them relax in the steaming water, surrounded by snow-covered cliffs. I waited patiently as they moved in and out of the water, grooming and playing. The experience was peaceful and fascinating—seeing wildlife so at ease in their habitat was unforgettable. Tip: Visit in winter for the best chance to see them in the hot springs. Arrive early to avoid crowds and wear good hiking shoes for the 25-minute hike to get there.
The Experience: Black-tailed Jackrabbits of the Sonoran Desert, Arizona
Photographer: Lana Froemming (Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: Traveling to the Sonoran Desert in July meant that I had the entire Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to myself. I was able to watch this hare darting here and there, feeding as the sun started to set. Temps reached 116°F (46°C), but the solo journey to this place was magical as I overcame my own fears. I love that I can capture these fleeting glimpses with my camera and then go home and learn about the animal.
The Experience: Wild Dog Sightings in KwaZulu-Natal
Photographer: Nicci Auchincloss (Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: A special encounter with a pack of endangered African Wild Dogs, seen in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (a big 7 reserve), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. After decades of both having visited this game reserve since we were kids, this is only the second sighting of African Wild Dogs we’ve been lucky enough to see here. They are Africa’s most successful predator averaging close to an 80% hunting success rate. While most overseas tourists usually go to Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal (especially Zululand), is often overlooked by overseas (and local tourists) and has so many game reserves offering different types of safari experiences.
The Experience: Photographing Wild Hamsters in Vienna
Photographer: Karin and Markus Haffert (Website)
Photographer’s Notes: We took this photo at the Meidling cemetery in Vienna, Austria, in July in the late afternoon. Usually we photograph these cute rodents lying down to be at eye level. They dash around very quickly and like to hide in the grass. Be patient and plan ample time if you want to photograph them. Hamsters are among the most endangered mammals in Europe. That’s why it is so special to see them still roaming freely here. You can also find them at Vienna’s Central Cemetery. The best time to photograph them is from April to August, as hamsters hibernate.
The Experience: Documenting a Black Rhino Relocation
Photographer: Casey Pratt (Website | Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: As part of WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, black rhinos are relocated to new habitats to help increase their population and growth rate. With so few left in the wild, every relocation is a triumph, every release a testament to the tireless efforts behind the scenes. These are the stories that matter — stories of resilience, dedication, and hope. In a world so often overwhelmed by loss, it’s a privilege to document moments like this, not just for the image itself, but for the impact it can have. This was photographed in the KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa.
*To add to this experience, wildlife reserves around South Africa assist in the protection and welfare of endangered species and in some cases, guests are invited to participate and donate to the process. You’ll see an experience The Wandering Lens founder Lisa had here in Hoedspruit/Kapama Private Game Reserve, and it’s possible to discuss experiences with your lodge as they may have a contact or an upcoming relocation/notching you can pay (which goes towards the conservation efforts) to be a part of.
The Experience: Meeting Sea Lions in the Ballestas Islands
Photographer: Dita Arucidisova (Website | Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: One of my favourite encounters I’ve had during our winter travels was meeting sea lions in the wild for the first time in my life. Not only did I have the opportunity to photograph them, but I also got to swim with these fun dogs of the sea. This photo was taken off the coast of Paracas at the Ballestas Islands. It’s an absolutely beautiful spot, and I would love to return one day and spend more time photographing the national reserve and its inhabitants.
The Experience: Witnessing the Desert Adapted Elephants of Namibia
Photographer: Lisa Michele Burns (Website | Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: I’d previously photographed elephants on safari in South Africa, but wasn’t aware that there were herds of elephants in the far north-western region of Namibia that are adapted to a desert environment. They’re also found in nearby Mali but nowhere else in Africa, and while they are African Bush Elephants, herds in this area can survive for days without water and have developed characteristics to help them survive in the harsh, arid conditions. Read more about the experience here.
The Experience: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Western Australia
Photographer: Lisa Michele Burns (Website | Instagram)
Photographer’s Notes: The wind was howling as we boarded our boat for a day exploring Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. While the waters of this barren coastline are typically sparkling and calm, for our trip we were dealt 3metre swells and 25knot winds. Every other tour boat cancelled, but ours went ahead, and none the less, whale sharks were on the itinerary so I had every finger and toe crossed that I’d get a chance to photograph these majestic beauties of the deep up close. Long story short, I was almost seasick in my snorkel while attempting to photograph, so this is one of the only images I managed to capture with my little TG-5 camera, I had a full camera with underwater housing prepared, but the sea was so rough, we could barely stay afloat let alone hold a camera, the relief when I saw this image was immense because despite the conditions, it was incredible to swim alongside such giant whale sharks!
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Travel and landscape photographer from Australia who is far more comfortable in a pair of flippers than heels! Having worked for publications such as Lonely Planet, Wanderlust and the Sunday Times, Lisa founded The Wandering Lens to share destination guides to the worlds most photogenic places and outdoor experiences.
