Wildlife Gallery - Honorable Mention

During the grip of the dry season, Hwange’s Kalahari sands become parched and water scarce. Each afternoon, elephant herds return from their feeding grounds to the last remaining water sources. As they gather, hundreds of elephants send the Kalahari dust into the air, causing large dust storms.

One afternoon, I noticed a young elephant lost amidst the dust. Known for their poor eyesight, it moved between a couple herds trying to find its mother. Successfully reunited, they both raised their trunks, using their strong sense of smell to establish their family ties.

Equipment Used: Canon EOS 5D; 500mm ƒ/4 lens; 1.4x teleconverter; 1/250 sec at f 5.6; ISO 100; Wildlife Watching Small Double beanbag.

About the Photographer: Having worked in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, Russell Johnson now uses his knowledge and experience to capture the diverse flora and fauna of Southern Africa. He has been Highly Commended in Natures Best Windland Smith Rice Awards and a finalist in BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year. During his photo workshops, Russell shares this passion for the African bush and photographic knowledge to help you to focus on developing your own style of photography. For more information visit Russell's website.