I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit in 2025, always with my camera in hand. Along the way, I explored a wide range of genres, from street, urban, and documentary photography to landscapes and wildlife. It had been some time since I last focused on landscapes and wildlife, but my first safari in Africa completely renewed that interest.
I don’t usually set out to photograph birds and wasn’t particularly prepared to do so in Africa, which made it all the more surprising—and rewarding—to come away with a few keepers. That experience has inspired a new goal for the year ahead: photographing more birds, one of the most challenging subjects I know.
Here are a few of my favorite landscape and wildlife images from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Africa. And I’m excited to share that I’ve joined NPN.
What a cool collection of images from your travels Stephen. The wildlife images are particularly striking, especially the lion portrait and that bird in the final image. What kind of bird is that? The lighting on the face of the lion with that dark background is so good. Very well done.
Thank you @Ted_Forman! The bird is a Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill and it was photographed in the Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa. They are quite common there.
That paid off well Stephen! This is a wonderful collection from around the world. I normally photograph close to home, and this is a great inspiration to spread my wings.
Thank you @Dennis_Plank . We did quite a bit a traveling to some very unique places. Very fortunate to see, meet and learn. My camera at times was “over heating” from all of the photographs I had taken. I’m still digging out from under the thousands yet to process. Happy Holiday’s!
Hi Stephen,
This is a superb collection of images you put together from your travels to far away locations around the world. Places I will never see; so thanks for sharing. I quite like the intimate lion portrait. Beautiful work.
Thank you @Mark_Seaver. Many people like the portrait. I have a series of portraits of the big 5+ in Low Key that I should be rolling out soon. Need to complete final edits. Happy Holiday’s!
Thank you @Stephen_Stanton. I was really surprised how large they are in the wild. Quite large , lean and muscular. You can see the power in every step. Happy Holiday’s!
I’m still digging out from under the thousands yet to process. Happy Holiday’s!