GRAND DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY

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2013-01-01T21:13:00.000-08:00

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Grand Design Photography

IT'S A WONDERFUL...PERFORMANCE!

2012-01-26T16:23:00.004-08:00

I had the opportunity to photograph some actors from Tower Christian School's dramatic presentation of "It's A Wonderful Life". Nice kids. Always fun to work with actors, too.

Here is George and Mary Bailey and a few other scenes from the play.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS - Lowell Neighborhood

2012-01-18T15:45:00.000-08:00

This morning, I took the kids on a little walk over to our new neighbors on Van Ness and Mildreda. Granville Urban's latest wise investment in Downtown had its grand opening and ribbon cutting.

I'm fascinated by developers who have vision for a better downtown community, especially ones that work with the neighborhood, not against it, as Darius Assemi has done. Careful and cautious Planning Boards and Design Review committees worked with Assemi and were very impressed with his cooperative and hopeful spirit.

This new townhome community has great features that fit very well into the neighborhood, including Eco-Smart roofing and solar power, storage and even the colors look great. One of our neighbors, Jenn, who lives in a new home designed to fit in with the neighborhood down the street remarked that she liked the exterior colors Granville Urban chose, which coordinate well with her home's complexion.

This will likely be a key piece of the revitalization puzzle.

My kids like the echo of their feet on the wood floors.

ZAK - Senior Session

2012-01-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

Good things are in store for this talented guy. Clovis High School senior Zak will soon be attending a Bible school in the beautiful mountains of southern Albania. After that, who knows, but I have a feeling it will be interesting. Good natured and funnier-than-all-get-out, Zak keeps almost everything casual. This session took us to downtown fresno and then out on Kearney Blvd. looking around for interesting locations. We did a lot of laughing, so the shoot went a little long. But it was fun. Pictures will support that, I think!

SALT Magazine Feature Story

2012-01-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

My friends and neighbors, Randy & Tina White were featured in Salt Fresno Magazine this week. Even though I've known them since I was at Fresno State (22 years ago!), it was still an honor photograph these two people who could be considered local heroes and Fresno pioneers in the restoration of inner-city neighborhoods. There are hundreds--maybe thousands-- of people who have been influenced by Randy and Tina, people who have started ministries here and abroad, moved their families into needy neighborhoods to be salt and light in their city.

Grand Design Photography featured in Maharani Weddings

2012-01-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

I received some fun news today from my friend Sheena, a very sweet bride from last year. Her wedding photos were featured in Maharani Weddings--an Indian wedding style source. For me, it was a reminder of a very beautiful weekend, full of nice personal touches by Sheena and joking around with her husband Rajeev. Sure was fun to see the photos again! From Maharani Weddings, HERE, HERE, and HERE!

PREMIER BRIDE SHOWPLACE

2012-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

The Premier Bride Showplace is basically a big, fun tradeshow for brides-to-be featuring wedding vendors from every type of business. Premier Bride of Central California hosts this event twice yearly, typically brings in over 500 brides (and grooms) to the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall. There are lots of great photographers there of almost every style and price range, so it's a good time to meet with potential wedding vendors and check out their wares. Seems like it would be exhausting talking to that many

I've been exhibiting in this show since 2006 and it has always been a blast working with Tracy and Kristy, the Premier Bride owners, also mixing it up the other vendors and trying to think up interesting displays. This year, I used a three-screen slideshow, not as many as the previous years--where I had five 40-inch-plus Samsung flat screens with custom frames and stands.

It was good way to display my work (430 images total, rotating at random on the screens) Also brought along 10 albums of varying sizes and types. Also, inn case you're wondering, the frames around the monitors are custom made for each screen by Tarry Rollf of Rollf's Gallery. His gallery does great work and you should check out his selection of framing materials.

It's always nice to have lovely people working at your display, such as this fine person in green!

The slideshow horsepower for each screen is provided by trusty Macbook Pro's.

HERBERT Family

2011-12-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

This is the Herbert family who delighted my socks off with their boy, Caleb, a very able conversationalist and even more able sprinter. Racing was a big part of this session, Mom and Dad did pretty well keeping up with the little dude. No lack of picture opportunities with this fam.

JAMES & TRISH with Kona

2011-12-12T11:30:00.001-08:00

This was a quick session with an amazingly sweet couple I met a few years ago when I shot their engagement and wedding. James and Trish (Winter wedding pics HERE).

We went for a walk with Kona, their energetic black Labrador-- who I am convinced goes to the same Cross Fit workouts that James and Trish enjoy. The dog's got power and energy, good thing James has the upper body strength to hang on to the leash!

You can't keep a dog down forever.

GREG & NATALIE - Wolf Lakes Wedding

2011-11-20T22:36:00.001-08:00

Guaranteed to be interesting. That's Greg and Natalie. First wedding that I've photographed that included both a hearse (family friend's) and a taco truck (post reception munchies). Wedding also included wonderful friends and family, all ready to celebrate this great couple. So much fun, the day went by SO quickly, in spite of the very cool and breezy weather blowing through that evening. Wolf Lakes Park did a good job at keeping the party warm with great catered food and well-placed propane heaters all around.

Taco truck servin' 'em up hot!

MESSIAH - Sing-a-long Event

2011-11-12T09:14:00.001-08:00

The annual Handel's Messiah Singalong is one big, amazing deal. It's one of the few times in our society that large groups of people get together to sing one classical work. First Presbyterian Church has been hosting this event for 35 years, treating the participants to an orchestra, grand pipe organ and wonderful direction under Dr. Julie Carter. After the singing is finished, everyone is treated to a soup dinner in the Fellowship Hall. This year's event will be on Sunday, November 27, at 3:00pm. Also, participants are encouraged to bring a bag of non-perishable groceries for the needy.

Here are a few images I shot at last year's from last year's Singalong:

SALT MAGAZINE story

2011-11-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

Neighborhood Thrift is a local store that was began by The Well Community Church in Fresno. Bryan Feil (a friend and former wedding client.) and AP Armour carried out the vision of providing a thrift store that sought to employ people who typically get refused because of their history, appearance, being homeless, etc.

The store's success is obvious and Neighborhood Thrift has now duplicated itself in another part of town.


Ran a half page ad in the magazine, too!

ROSS Family

2011-11-03T10:36:00.001-07:00

TRENT & JENNIFER - WEDDING

2011-11-03T10:05:00.000-07:00


First Presbyterian Church has a lower level which makes for a good bouquet toss.


I don't know why this group of ladies did not attempt to catch the bouquet. Hmmm.

CHRIS & JACQUELINE - MARRIED

2011-10-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Early Fall in Fresno means a little warmth during the day and a cool night with painted skies. Yes, it was warm, a little humid, too... not a problem for Chris and Jackie. Wolf Lakes Park sparkled under lamp light and Jackie's bouquet from Brown Bunny Flowers glowed with autumn awesomeness.

I won't soon forget this couple for their great love for one another. Simply a delight to photograph, enjoyed their family and friends who were very ready to celebrate this union.

WOTHE FAMILY

2011-10-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

WOTHE - FAMILY

This is the Wothe family who I know from church. Good folk, fun session out in the sticks east of Fresno. Added some extras at the end with Zach, who is a senior and oh-so-ready to graduate!

CHRIS & JACQUELINE - ENGAGED!

2011-10-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

CHRIS & JACQUELINE - ENGAGED!
They're getting married in few days and we decided to add an engagement session at the Big Fresno Fair on Thursday to make things even more fun. Shooting in the late afternoon into the evening gave us a range of colors and lighting situations. Chris and Jacqueline's sweet nature gave us some great images, too.

Juan & Brissa - MARRIED!

2011-10-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

I was anticipating a relatively low-key event with Juan and Brissa. Their engagement session was in Monterey last Spring, both were fairly quiet and reserved during the session-- which was fun, but no indication that their wedding day would be so amazingly rowdy! Included in this beautiful day's schedule was folklorico dancers, a live band with marimba players and a DJ... at one point, the reception at Msr. Daniel M. Lopez hall turned very rave-like with glowing bracelets, pounding techno music-- the guests LOVED it.

JEFF & CATHERINE - MARRIED!

2011-09-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Catherine wins extra points for being an awesome bride. All day long she was just a gem to be around, joking, laughing, crying at all the right times and just plain cute in her spotless white dress. Easygoing groom Jeff is a good match for Catherine, a guy's guy who likes classic muscle cars, baseball and is strong in his faith. So much fun to be around these people and their family and friends on their wedding day-- from the preparations and wedding ceremony at Fresno First Presbyterian Church to the tent-covered reception on the green at Fresno Pacific University.

JEFF & MICHELLE - Mt. Hermon Wedding

2011-09-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jeff and Michelle were married at the beautiful coastal mountain chapel at Mt. Hermon, near Santa Cruz, CA. Jeff, an opera-singing tenor with amazing pipes married Michelle, a teacher, at the mountain retreat center where Michelle's mom lives. Their ceremony was in the cozy chapel surrounded by tall conifers on a beautiful summer day. Fantastic time, fun couple!

ZAMBIA - Child lost to dysentery

2011-09-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

This was a hard part of the story-gathering trip. Unclean water caused dysentery in a young child, who eventually succumbed to the disease. The child's mom is the second wife in a polygamous marriage. The husband is absent often. World Vision aid workers bring medicine and help teach the family how to sanitize their water-- very difficult to do on a regular basis, but could be lifesaving. The interviews also revealed the level of care by the World Vision aid workers there, I was very impressed with their resolve and compassion for their community.

World Vision Zambia Caregiver

Caregivers share their hopes and fears with our crew.

Water gathered at this reservoir could be deadly.

Not sad, just bored. Mom is busy talking to the World Vision people.

Dr. Benn Gilmore helped ask the most important questions.

Benn inside an abandoned clinic.

Amoxicillin on the back of a bicycle.

ZAMBIA - Sponsor child visit

2011-09-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

Pastor Brad Powell founded one of the largest churches in Michigan. He accompanied a team from his church to learn more about partnerships with World Vision USA as well as meeting his sponsored child. Sponsorship is an amazing way to bring stability to a fragile community. World Vision is very deliberate in how the funds are invested into the individual monitoring of the child, the family and community. Almost all of the World Vision work in Zambia happens through Zambian citizens, a big part of the effectiveness and sustainability of an non-governmental organization rides on this factor. World Vision's Community Development Workers are committed to the Gospel of Christ and serving locally to the betterment of their country. This is a task that might be overwhelming at times, but they are hopeful and always ready to collaborate with others.

Sponsor and child meeting... This meeting between strangers can be a little awkward, understandably. Brad, who has great communication skills, didn't have any problem getting down to the basics of fun with his little Zambian friend. It didn't take long. The boy's mom offered her own warmth and welcome, too. A joy to watch as the family shares a little of their life and home with Brad.

Inside the family's sleeping area. Here's a short video clip of inside this wonderful family's home

Great smile on this little guy.

ZAMBIA - Sponsor Gift Success

2011-09-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

One of our first projects in Zambia was to interview and photograph a family in the Area Development Project explaining how simple gifts from sponsors go a long way. Basically, in a "gift notification", a sponsored family receives the ability to purchase needed items. Their Aread Development Worker helps them pick from a list of things that they can buy-- like clothes for school, food, cooking equipment, books...even livestock. The family below bought a goat and bred it, producing more goats. And milk!

This family's risk for malaria is almost eliminated by the mosquito net seen in the background.

Books and clothes ready for school.

Hard working ADW's.

ZAMBIA - Clean Water Well

2011-09-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

On the way to another project one mid-morning, we came upon a well being used. Sanitary wells in this part of Africa are rarities, unfortunately. Community members have to draw their water from lakes, streams and old fashioned wells, all of which endanger people because of unsanitary conditions. World Vision has established clean water as a priority aid project. This well was built in a World Vision-Community project. Video clip of kids very enthusiastically helping their older sisters pump water. The oldest one said her little brothers never wanted to help until some guy showed up with this cameras.

Special construction of the well keeps out livestock and keeps the water clean.

ZAMBIA - Day In The Life

2011-09-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

This shoot represented the 2nd half of what was a long day, as we went out early in the morning and photographed at another site, then tried to locate this family's homestead up in the hills away from the main dirt roads. The family recently moved here after losing a child to malaria, partly in hopes that they could be further up in altitude avoiding the mosquito-prone lowlands. The family shared their pain in losing their young daughter, how they are doing with the grieving process and continuing to survive in very difficult circumstances. There are few things more inspiring that witnessing firsthand the faith and strength of people in rural Africa. We just have no idea.

Long day for this little one.

The family.

Extended family.

Brad Powell listens to the story.

Excuse me, have you seen the road?

This boy was given a small stalk of sugar cane by a World Vision staffer.

Daily chore of fetching water.

Greens for dinner.

The Zambian family shares their story with Brad Powell through our interpreter. Brad will bring the story back to his congregation in Michigan.

The whole family has musical gifts. This is their garage band. They played some songs they wrote.

Family band.

The family band rocked the house... uh, thatched-roof thingy we were sitting under.

Sweet soul music.

John Volinsky, World Vision USA church liaison director LOVES these kids. So fun to watch John turn into a big goof around the kids. He is blessed with his job to be able to bring church groups on trips like this to partner with World Vision USA.

I was very honored to be in a picture with a family that knows so much more about life and relationships than I do.

ZAMBIA - Moyo District, Garden and Chief

2011-09-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

This was from a visit with a self-sustaining community garden that family members who are affected by HIV/AIDS work at. We met the tribal chief and a delegation of representatives who supervise the project which includes pumping water to the crops in the garden.

This group of men looked very stern when we arrived but upon introduction, the men lit up like they were friends we've known for a long time.

Greeting party

We were met by this party under a tree.

If you're wondering what this all sounded like, here's a short video clip from El iPhone.

Chief Moyo

ZAMBIA - Brian's Soccer Outreach

2011-09-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

One of the teammembers from Michigan was a former pro soccer player. He brought with him a whole bunch of these special, ultra-durable soccer balls. They are collapsible and spring back into regulation size and weight without an air pump. So, almost every time we saw a group of boys playing soccer, we'd stop and Brian would introduce himself and the amazing soccer ball. He also tied in the story of God's design for our lives, how we are loved as His creations and can be renewed by being in relationship with Him.

Brian demonstrates the squishability of the ball. And how it bounces back into shape.

ZAMBIA - Sponsor Visit Dr. Benn

2011-09-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Dr. Benn is an ENT specialist from Michigan who sponsors the young man you see below. This was his first visit with the boy and it was fun to watch the neighbors gather around the spectacle of this Zambian-American friendship. Benn brought along a soccer ball, which, of course, was well received.

Happy, healthy sponsored child in Zambia.

Dr. Benn Gilmore, ENT doctor from Michigan, World Vision USA sponsor partner.

Kitchen. It's where dinner happens.

I noticed that there were hens in baskets hanging from the kitchen eaves. I thought, "How cool is that, eggs don't get much fresher than that!" which I shared with mom standing there. After translation, she laughed out loud at this idea!

Benn sharing his own family photos with his sponsored family.

BOTSWANA - A few extras added on

2011-09-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

This post is sort of Part Deux of the Botswana Safari post, which featured a batch of animal pics. My last few days in Africa were spent at this lodge in Botswana, sleeping in supremely comfortable beds, eating all sorts of great gourmet foods, and viewing the local animals who pretty much get into your business if you're not careful. I had the opportunity to go on multiple safaris here and learned that I could easily waste away a good portion of my life sitting on the river's edge here admiring everything.

My room at Chobe Game Lodge that included a very thorough laundry service. After two weeks in the dusty hills, this was a huge blessing. Traveled home the same as I arrived with a bag full of clean clothes.

This guy walked by on this dock each morning and evening. I caught him on our last day.

Two mongooses (mongeese?) and a baboon taught me that you don't leave your veranda door open while taking a nap.

The rooms.

One of these invaded my room.

Another example of a room invader.

I'm not sure what type of fishing bird this is, but it flew up about 150 feet above the water, made a u-turn and dove straight down into it... see next photo below.

Emerging with a fish in its beak. Well done, fishing bird.

Water Monitor Lizard. Apparently unrelated to the Hall Monitor Lizard that used to pick on me in elementary school.

African fish eagle.

We were in a riverboat about 75 yards from shore when these elephants came stampeding down the hill for a drink. I love a good stampede.

Someday I will bring my wife to this table and we will share South African wine over some imported gluten-free eats.

Might be a good spot for writing an epic novel about hearts of darkness. Not feeling it, I edited pictures here.

Saw these porcine beauties while on my veranda.

This one may or may not have been trying to enter my room.

African wildlife. Fast food for lions and leopards.

Croc headed into the drink.

I think we were heading back to Zambia from Botswana here, flying out of Livingston's Int'l airport. This would be the boat that crosses the Zambezi from Zimbabwe to the Zambia side. AmaZZZing.

ZAMBIA trip - From the iPhone's perspective

2011-09-01T12:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I thought I'd post a bunch of strange pictures I shot with my iPhone during the World Vision job in Africa in August. Some of these are beautiful, some are not so beautiful (certainly the vanity ones with my mug in them!) some are fun and some are pretty serious. But anyway, while I shot thousands of images with very expensive professional cameras, some of these camera-phone pictures are ones that mean the most to me.

The weather on the morning I flew out to Zambia

First flight out of Fresno starts at 5:40am to SFO. Total number of planes: 4. Total flight time: 27 hours.

Shopping in the air.

This was good to see in Washington, DC. Got on a half-full flight for the 12 hrs to Senegal.

Last year on the trip to Swaziland/South Africa, I learned that Sawubona is a Zulu greeting .

I had an empty row which gave me stretch-out sleeping space for about 7 hours.

This was uploaded in Senegal on the way to Johannesburg. The row of clouds we couldn't get past delaying our flight somewhat.

Hotel crocodiles in Zambia

Croc eating some hotel breakfast.

Croc man feeds the fauna.

The World Vision goal.

At a local restaurant. Coke Zero in the bottle.

Zambian National Broadcast Company news.

Political news dominated the stories. I love foreign TV news!

I had breakfast here with the crocodiles. Hotel in Lusaka.

Hey guys, leave me some of that bacon.

Why you should value journalism ethics.

Preparing for the 4 hour trip to Choma.

Alfonsias, our boss.

Tim, our videographer.

There were multiple guards with automatic weapons all around this mall. I think I made a good decision to not bring take a bunch of pictures here with my Canons. At this bank, there was a female guard with a shotgun!

Riding in Alfonsias' rig.

We often encountered police roadblocks.

105 KMH not MPH. Darn.

David Livingston, I presume! The Red One.

View from Zambian pizza joint.

Noteable whiteys who made friends with the locals... Including Cecil Rhodes. Ever heard of a Rhodes Scholar? Cecil once had a plan to put railroad tracks from Lusaka, Zambia to Cairo, Egypt. There is still a road named Cairo Road in Lusaka, even though the Trans-African railroad didn't happen.

The lodge we stayed at in Choma hosted insects of various sizes and venom-typess. The hotel staff asked if I had "Doom" in my room. Yes. We all need some Doom from time to time.

News before going to bed.

Some prosperity-gospel preacher from Nigeria making his southern African rounds.

Sleeping/Photo Editing area.

Trusty steed to handle the rural Zambian highway/road/river/gully system.

Still Photographer and Videographer at the World Vision Zambia, Choma HQ, headed out for our first morning's shoot.
After a long morning of shooting and driving in the middle of nowhere: Ridiculous video clip here.

Road trip crew from World Vision.

Pastor Brad Powell shares with WV Zambia worker Ian Mazza

A visit to a community garden.

On the road again.

Dr. Benn meets his sponsored child.

Solar power. The future in rural Africa.

Dewayne White meets with his sponsored child. A beautiful experience.

Alfonsias explains to a pickup soccer match group that Brian was a pro soccer player in the US.

I met these ladies at a well on the way to a project in the hills. They gather water every day here.

The well, built in cooperation with World Vision, provides clean water for people in this area. Note that it has a wall around it to keep out livestock, a concrete platform that is channeled to remove spilled water and mud away from the well's borehole. This prevents contamination. Clean water saves lives.

These guys were interested in the cameras.

We didn't speak English. We didn't have to.

Shy Alfonsias. We were waiting to shoot a story about a sponsored child.

Mom and grandma of sponsored child. So gracious and patient as we set up the video portion of the interview.

Getting ready to light a portrait.

Lunch in the woods. Motorcycle table.

I was using my enormous braincage for scale, but ended up blocking the pretty view from a hilltop homestead in Zambia.

John Volinsky and I making snide remarks about bumpy road travel in Africa. Or maybe we were anticipating the dinner we were headed to.

I insisted in getting a picture with this NFL football player, who I quickly learned was one of the nicest guys around.

Groceries for delivery in the Area Development Project.

Heart-wrenching stories from people who exhibit amazing strength.

An abandoned clinic.

Zambians have an awesome sense of humor!

Making long trips shorter.

Me with my outback hat, not fitting in with the cool kids in back, but keeping that African sun off my already UV-damaged outer covering.

The kids are alright.

We were at a river shooting a story about how a village needed clean water. These were audience members.

Brad Powell meets with his sponsored child.

Brad, a grandpa to several, has a nice way with his sponsored child, who he just met.

I sat with these teen boys during church on Sunday.

I'm not sure why Laura looks so serious here. She's not even Presbyterian.

Trip to Victoria Falls

Sunset on the Zambezi River.

My room's bathroom at the hotel in Livingstone.

Second trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Still not tired of looking at the Southern Hemisphere stars I never get to see in the North.

Victoria Falls.

Wanna see some video of this? Here's a little clip of what I saw as I made it through the treeline. This is a mere five minute walk from my hotel.

This place dethroned Yosemite as the most magnificent place I've ever seen. Just overwhelmingly beautiful and HUGE.

Sorry, Yosemite. You don't have triple rainbows.

How we got across the Zambezi River from Zambia to Zimbabwe, then Botswana. It seemed illegal. Maybe it would have been better to travel this route under the cover of darkness.

Jungle Cruise Photographer.

I don't ordinarily enjoy seeing people's photos on Facebook and such, where they are kicked up and enjoying a pretty view (Jealous?). But, this case, I'll make an exception. I'm on the roof of a safari boat with a cold beverage and warm cameras. Elephants, hippos and crocs are everywhere.

Safari guide told us to be quick about it. Bathroom/beverage break in the bush on safari. Botswana. This is where the giraffes and lions got to watch us respond to nature's call. Fair enough.

Safari rig.

World class food at this hotel. Custom stir-fry chef.

The "treehouse" meeting on the river.

I like the name Kazungula. Getting passports stamped on the way out of Zimbabwe.

Maybe an advertising idea for my wedding photography. On the boarding ramp at the Livingstone Airport, Zambia.

Keeping in touch in the KLM/Delta Lounge. We had an 8-hour layover here. Well-stocked lounge made the time go quickly.

Grapetiser is a popular beverage with certain South African visitors. Inside joke here, sorry.

South African Airlines somewhere over the Atlantic from a stop Senegal. It's Washington, DC, San Fran, then FresYES. I'm home!

BOTSWANA Safari - Animals!

2011-09-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

In August, I spent a few weeks in Africa shooting a humanitarian aid project in Zambia for World Vision USA. After the project, I was blessed to be able to travel to Chobe National Game Preserve in Botswana, the country just south of Zambia. A beautiful place on the Chobe river plain featuring elephants, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes... you know, safari animals.

A disclaimer: I might be among the world's worst animal photographers. But all the same, it's fun to see these beasts in their element, so... here ya go! Enjoy.

I was in this region for about two weeks. Lusaka is the capitol city of Zambia, did some photography there, but the majority of the World Vision project was in Choma. Traveled south to Chobe, Botswana.

Hippos will "wagon train" around their young to protect them from crocodiles or whatever else they feel threatened by.

African fish eagle. African version of our bald eagle. Just as majestic.

Some young giraffes male giraffes. Didn't know that the horns they have are for fighting.

This little monkey just dropped off the tree.

This young guy may not be around much longer. He was sort of a loner, apart from the herd. Our guide suspects that he is very sick and didn't ever learn how to take care of himself.

How to stay cool, elephant-style.

This young male lion just finished a zebra lunch. We were lucky to see a whole group of lions feeding.

Safari vehicle for scale.

Leopard mama. These cats are usually pretty shy... as was this one. She ran away as we approached. Her cub, below, was finishing some breakfast impala.

This young leopard more interested in the food than the photographer.

There is a long strip of land across the river called the Kaprivi--it's owned by Namibia.

Mongoose. Funny story--I woke up from a nap to find a baboon and two of these rodents who had entered my ground floor room at the lodge, probably looking for snacks. I reached over to grab my iPhone, hoping to snap a quick shot but they skeedaddled out of there when I moved. I should have heeded the lodge's warning to keep doors closed.

Elephants running to the river. Guess they were thirsty, it was a stampede!

This is the view from my room. This man walked to and from his work on this foot bridge every day.