Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. - Elliott Erwitt

In wildlife and nature photography, this is most evident in that one can transform a seemingly common or insignificant subject and transform it into something incredible just by looking at it differently. Two of the images presented here really stand out for me, but I hold all of these animals in the highest regard and I hope this is what shines through in this week’s post of wildlife in monochrome. I hope you enjoy...

African Barred Owlets are seldom seen here, living rather secretive lives so it was great to get such a viewing. It wasn’t easy though as it was perched in the middle of a dense thicket.

I always associate buffalo with wide open spaces and even though this bull was on his own, besides the herd of zebra behind him, I still felt going wide would add a better feel to the image.

The cheetah is one of the most visually appealing cats around and are for a lot of photographers, a dream subject.

Wild dogs have always been misunderstood by man and persecuted accordingly, but they have so much more depth to them as a species. This is why they are often many Ranger’s favourites.

This is the face of the now dominating force on Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. Seen repeatedly mating with the Southern Pride females, we are bound to see these boys for a long time to come.

Animals have to be very resourceful in the dry season and often the termites are the hardest hit, as this Yellow-billed Hornbill is demonstrating so effectively.

Image of my year! I have been waiting for an opportunity to capture an image like this for years and I was granted the opportunity some weeks ago. It was quite a surreal sighting watching a big male leopard feeding on a buffalo, but if I’ve learned anything here its to expect the unexpected.

Maxabeni is a powerhouse of a leopard, having dominated the area for over two years and there aren’t many ways to portray this power more aptly than showing those large canine teeth in a perfectly timed ‘yawn’ shot.

The Lilac-breasted Roller is a bird mostly famous for its stunningly colored plumage, but I think in this image the textures created by the black and white combination do it justice.

You will never know by just looking at this shy Leopard Tortoise that it is in fact a very good swimmer and one of the largest species found in Southern Africa. They are only really seen in the wetter months of the year when water is in abundance.