It’s a beauty and the beasts! One woman kept a journal of the animals she encountered throughout the year. – by getting into the frame with them.
Shannon Wild, 36, of South Africa, has had a thrilling life. She once walked hand in trunk with an elephant while on safari and even had her face licked by a leopard.
The intriguing images reveal how close some of her subjects were willing to get when allowed to approach, although some of the smaller animals caused chaos as they climbed all over her camera equipment.
Shannon, a wildlife photographer, embraces and lives the wildlife, but she has been through a few scrapes in her travels.
Shannon really has had a brush with the outback, from being chased by an elephant to a mauling from a cheetah.
“I’m very passionate about animals and like to get as many photos of them as possible.”
“I’ve got a lot of scars and experiences from working with animals when they’ve gone a little too far.
“I’ve been bitten in the face by a dog, charged by an elephant, lions, and buffalo, bitten countless times by snakes and lizards, and mauled by a cheetah, but it doesn’t discourage me.
“I don’t think you should be a chef if you never want to get a burn from hot food, and taking wildlife photographs is the same.”
“I enjoy each encounter I have, and although I’m usually rather calm in most circumstances, especially when tracking a lion on foot, it’s nice to know that nothing will harm me.”
“But there are always potential hazards with animals, and I engage with them all – not just the cute and fluffy ones.
“However, even the negative tales remind me how wonderful my job is and how fortunate I have it.”
