Stunning silhouettes show animals of Africa at sunrise and sunset

From BBC

Wildlife photographer Greg Du Toit has captured powerful images of silhouetted animals in southern and eastern Africa to show “the mystery and intrigue of Africa.”

Silhouette photo of a landscapeImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of a lionImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

The animals, including lions, giraffes, flamingos, elephants, leopards, rhinoceros and zebras, are illuminated against sunrises and sunsets in a range of hues.

Silhouette photo of elephantsImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of a hippoImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

The photos are part of a wider series called Dusk to Dawn and were shot in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia.

Mr Du Toit told Media Drum news agency: “I simply want to convey the incredible diversity, mystery and wonder that I feel for my wild subjects.

“What the camera has the power to do, through silhouette photography, is to simply de-clutter our world.”
Silhouette photo of batsImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of giraffesImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of a lionImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of flamingosImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

In his work, Du Toit specialises in lowlight imagery, spending hours to get the perfect timings for his photos.

Silhouette photo of a rhinoImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of zebrasImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of a landscapeImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Du Toit previously won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year prize in 2013, with his photo entitled Essence of Elephants.

Silhouette photo of a landscapeImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Two dramatic photos from his Dusk to Dawn series show an injured wildebeest evading a fire that swept across the grass plains of Serengeti, which cover southern and eastern Africa.

Silhouette photo of a wildebeestImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

He said: “We noticed one wildebeest not running away [from the fire], on closer inspection we discovered that it had a broken front left leg.

“I watched in horror as the flames almost engulfed the animal before it finally ran away.”

Silhouette photo of a landscapeImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

Silhouette photo of a sky sunsetImage copyrightGREG DU TOIT/MEDIADRUMWORLD.COM

See more of Greg Du Toit’s work on Instagram

For more on this story go to: https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-45420425