The photograph of the month for 2026 comes from one of my previous expeditions to Zululand in South Africa. The chance encounter for this photograph was pure serendipity, as I had been sitting in an overnight hide waiting for Elephants or potentially a Lion or Leopard to come past for an evening drink at the watering hole; none of which ultimately eventuated on that evening. With the sun beginning to rise and a thick fog blanketing the landscape, I was hopeful there would be an opportunity to catch something before the fog burned off for the day. As luck would have it, I was just about to pack up when this Impala ran through the frame. The opportunity existed for just the briefest of moments before the Impala was again out of frame behind the ridge. It was a timely reminder to both always be ready and to expect the unexpected. It was also a prime example of having exposure tested and set, just in case action was needed at the spur of the moment (as in this case). Shot with the 70-200mm f2.8, this was an obvious candidate for a panoramic image in post production and became my favourite from this visit to South Africa.

I have just published episode 138 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I review the year 2025: My travels, equipment, and thoughts on the year that was. This podcast also includes my book pick of the year (Bird Photographer of the Year Volume 10), equipment selection of the year (The Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8L & the Tilta Cage for the Canon EOS R1), and favourite photograph from 2025 (Peek-a-Boo – Included below). 2025 was also the year I shot, produced and released Guardians of the Forest with my good friend Chris Nemes. All up, it was an extremely productive year full of travel, fantastic shared experiences and wonderful photographic opportunities. Thank you to all of you who made it such a fantastic year. Podcast 138 rounds out Season five of the podcast and kicks us into Season 6. Onward and upward!

Wishing all of you who may have travelled and photographed with me, either past, present, or future, who follow my blog, podcast, and photography, or even just stumbled across my work somewhere, a happy and safe Christmas and festive season. It has been a frantic year, the pace of which has frequently left me somewhat breathless. I wish you good health and happiness, and all the best for the festive season and New Year. Roll on to 2026, and may it be one of good health, great light, and incredible experiences!

I have just published episode 137 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I review Travel and Documentary photographer Richard L’Anson’s new magnum opus – ‘Way Down South‘. A massive tome of a book containing the sum of Richard’s work from Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, South Shetlands and South Georgia. This was an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable book for me to review, as it’s a subject and region near and dear to my heart and my passion for the world’s Polar regions.

Yesterday, I also released my new short film – Guardians of the Forest. Filmed over ten days in the Boreal Forest of Finland in Autumn, this film is about my journey photographing wolves and bears and my thoughts as a wildlife photographer. I hope you enjoy this passion project.