While geomagnetic activity certainly has been elevated in recent days, I missed the big display on Tuesday evening as I was still in a tropical locale. However, on our second night in Namibia last month, while staying at a lodge in the desert near Namib-Naukluft National Park and having not yet adjusted to the 10-hour time change, I was awake very early and decided to go outside to photograph the Milky Way. After looking at my first image, I immediately recognized the faint green glow of aurora, something I never thought I'd capture in Southern Africa. This time it was the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis. I managed to catch a few bright meteors in the frame as well!
Interested in exploring Southern Africa? We are taking reservations for the October 2026 tour. Email me or visit our site for more info: https://natexpotours.com/2026-namibia/
Cheers!
Colin
Matriarchal
I'm finally back stateside and catching up on some editing after journeying to Southern Africa to lead our 4th tour of Namibia (and now Botswana) with Nat Expo Tours. On our last day in Etosha National Park, we visited a waterhole near the east gate that had been frequented by herd of elephants. Our timing was perfect as we observed the herd, one by one, falling into a single file line behind their matriarch as they left the water. This was my favorite moment, showing the reverence they hold for their queen, along with the wisdom and confidence she displayed as she led them to find sustenance and safety in a harsh and very dry landscape.
We have two back to back Southern Africa Adventure tours booked next year - a private group of 10 people in November and our usual timeframe (Oct 16-30, 2026). We have begun taking reservations for the October tour. Please contact me if you are interested in joining us. Full itinerary here: https://natexpotours.com/2026-namibia/
As always, thank you for following,
Colin
PS - I spent another week abroad after Africa, in a familiar location. More on that later...
Another Southern Africa Adventure in the Books!
We just wrapped up our fourth annual tour of Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls! We had a great group of people who experienced the wonders and wildlife of Southern Africa and created memories to last a lifetime. I will have more to share in the coming days and weeks, but for now here is one my favorite elephant images from Chobe National Park, Botswana.
As always, thank you for following and please let me know if you are interested in joining us in Africa next October, or any of our upcoming 2026 tours, including Cuba, Norway, Nepal, and Iceland.
Colin
Namibian Independence Day 2015
Today marks 35 years of independence for Namibia. A gem of Southern Africa, it is one of the youngest nations on the entire continent and one of the best functioning democracies.
I look forward to returning to Namibia this October to lead our 4th tour of that country. We've added a few days in Botswana and a day trip to Victoria Falls as well, and we are filling up fast!
If you or anyone you know is interested in joining the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure (Oct 19 - Nov 2) with Nat Expo Tours, please email me - we have a few spots left. More info and a detailed itinerary (plus testimonials from previous guests) here: https://natexpotours.com/2025-namibia/
Sending good wishes to Namibia on this anniversary!
Colin
Himba village
Oryx, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Zebras, Onguma Private Game Reserve
Sossusvlei dry ancient lakebed, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Elephants of Chobe
Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is home to over 100,000 elephants, more than any park in all of Africa. I couldn't begin to tell you how many elephants we saw on the Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours last October. The evening boat tour on the Chobe River gave us some of our best viewing opportunities...
We have started to fill the October 2025 Africa Tour, please email me if you are interested.
We could still add a couple people to the Cuba tour next month, as well as Norway in March and Nepal in May. Visit our site for detailed itineraries and prices: https://natexpotours.com/
As always, thank you for following.
Colin
Hippos on the Chobe River
There is no misunderstanding when a hippo tells you to stay back!
Chobe River, Botswana, October 2024.
Are you interested in visiting Africa? We have spaces for the October 2025 Namibia/Botswana tour with Nat Expo Tours. Visit our website for more info on 2025 adventures, including Cuba in February, Norway in March, and Nepal in May.
Cheers!
Colin
Chobe River Sunset
Sunset on the Chobe River, Botswana.
This evening certainly was a highlight of the October 2024 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours! We went for an evening boat ride on the Chobe River and saw a plethora of wildlife including elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and several bird species. As the sun began to sink toward the horizon and morph into an orange sphere, I asked our guide to position us so we would have an opportunity to photograph the animals against the quintessential African sunset.
Please message me if you are interested in joining one of our adventures this year - we still have a few spots open for Cuba in February, Norway in March, Nepal in May, and Africa in October. You can check out our page or visit our site for more info: https://natexpotours.com/
Thank you for following my journeys and all the best for 2025!
Colin
Scenes from the Onguma Ground Hide, Namibia
Plains zebras and impala as seen from the ground hide in Onguma Private Game Reserve, Namibia.
The famous ground hide offers unique opportunities to photograph African wildlife from a low perspective. Of my four visits to the hide, this day was perhaps the most memorable (see previous posts of the bull elephants).
Our October 2025 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours is about half filled at this point. Please message me if you are interested in joining us and visit our site for more info: https://natexpotours.com/
Cheers!
Colin
www.colintyler.com
Scenes from Etosha
Scenes from Etosha National Park, Namibia. The giraffes and rhinos were at a waterhole bordering the Okaukuejo Rest Camp, with the quintessential African sunset. We always spend a night at the Okaukuejo Lodge on our tours with the hopes of having an evening like this.
The greater kestrel and lions were taken the following day. You may recognize the "Lion Tree" from an image I took in 2022, framed by the Etosha Pan.
Dates for the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure Oct 19 - Nov 2 and once again include Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls. Please give our page a follow - Nat Expo Tours, LLC - and visit our site for detailed itineraries: https://natexpotours.com/
We still have a few spaces open for Cuba in February and Arctic Norway in March - Tromsø, Lofoten Islands, and…🤞auroras!
As always, thank you for following my journeys. Please message me if you or someone you know might be interested in joining us in 2025!
Colin
Giraffes at the Okaukuejo waterhole
Giraffes at the Okaukuejo waterhole
Rhinos at the Okaukuejo waterhole
Greater kestrel
“The Lion Tree”
Southwestern Black Rhino
The southwestern black rhino - this photo was taken at the waterhole by the Okaukuejo Rest Camp in Namibia's Etosha National Park. Etosha is a stronghold for this critically endangered subspecies of rhinoceros. While the population is strong, the park does not release numbers as poaching remains a serious threat. We were fortunate to observe two rhinos interacting at the Okaukuejo waterhole on our first evening in Etosha.
The dates & itinerary for the 2025 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours are up on our site (Oct 19 - Nov 2): https://natexpotours.com/2025-namibia/
Please email me if you are interested in joining us - we have a few people on the roster already!
Colin
Elephants from the Onguma Ground Hide, Namibia
Bordering Etosha National Park in Namibia, the Onguma Private Game Reserve has a ground hide that offers an experience like no other. From the hide, your lens is level with the waterhole and gives you opportunities to safely view wildlife from a perspective that is unique and nearly impossible to duplicate without the use of a camera trap.
On my recent visit, we had three bull elephants visit the waterhole for nearly an hour, drinking and splashing, throwing mud across their backs to protect from the harsh Namibian sun. It certainly was one of my best days photographing elephants, and one of my most inspired moments of the 2024 Southern Africa Adventure with Nat Expo Tours.
Please message me if you are interested in joining us next year. Dates are Oct 19 - Nov 2, 2025, and we already have people on the roster. You can view the details on our site: https://natexpotours.com/
Cheers!
Colin
Giraffes in Bwabwata National Park, Namibia
The 2024 Southern Africa Adventure is drawing to a close. We added some new destinations to the itinerary this year and spent the past few days around Kasane, Botswana exploring Chobe National Park and today we visited Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
This photo was taken last week in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. Every year provides new experiences and opportunities to create unique images, even with familiar subjects and locations.
There will be much to share in the coming days, and tomorrow Mike and I are off to New Zealand to meet another group for a tour of that country.
We are working out the details for the 2025 Southern Africa tour and we already have people on board. Please email me if you are interested or visit our site: https://natexpotours.com/
As always, thank you for for following along!
Colin
Hidden Leopard
Another master of camouflage, the African leopard. It's easy to see how prey could walk under a tree completely unaware of the predator directly above, and leopards are known to jump down from a perch onto their prey.
In this case, the leopard had been resting in the branches when, in this moment, it took notice of an impala passing by. We watched it stealthily descend the tree and stalk the impala, crawling on its belly at times. They were both soon out of sight, so we do not know how it ended up for either of them...
November 2023, Kruger National Park, South Africa 🇿🇦
October 2024 Namibia Tour
Namibia just celebrated 34 years of independence and remains one of the best functioning democracies in all of Africa. With an array of beautiful scenery and wildlife, coastline, vibrant culture and more, it is one of my favorite destinations in the world.
I look forward to returning to Namibia this October, where Mike and I will be leading another tour with Nat Expo Tours. We still have a few spaces open, if you or anyone you know might be interested. We’ve added a few days to the itinerary this year to include the Caprivi Strip of northern Namibia, Botswana, and Victoria Falls.
Dates are Oct 11-25, 2024. Cost is $7,895 per person and includes all transportation & lodging in Namibia and Botswana, breakfast & dinner every day, all locally guided tours & park fees, photographic instruction (for those who would like), and more!
Please contact me if you are interested or visit our site for more info and a detailed itinerary: https://natexpotours.com/2024-namibia/
Cheers!
Colin
Sossusvlei dry ancient lakebed, Namib-Naukluft National Park
Etosha National Park
Himba community
Flamingos in Walvis Bay
Elephant herd in the Caprivi Strip, northern Namibia
African Wild Dogs in the Rain, Kruger National Park
African wild dogs in the rain, Kruger National Park, SA.
This pack of wild dogs (painted dogs) had a litter of puppies and gave us some great photo ops. The falling rain added a nice element and made for great expressions on the dogs' faces. These are some of my favorite images of the endangered canines.
Have a great weekend out there. It looks like we might have a bit of aurora borealis - perfect timing for my aurora & nighttime photography class at the Eagle River Nature Center tomorrow night (Feb 20). I would have shared the registration link but the class literally filled overnight, before I had a chance to post it. I will look into offering another class in late March.
As always, thank you for following,
Colin
African Wild Dogs
The African wild dog, also called the painted dog, is one of the rarest mammals in Africa. We were fortunate to have wonderful encounters with three different packs in Kruger National park.
I'm getting back around to editing through my images from last year's trip Namibia and South Africa. I will have more to share in the coming days...
Cheers!
Colin
Leopard in a Tree, Kruger National Park
Spotted leopard, Kruger NP, South Africa. This was probably my favorite sighting in Africa last year.
I was really hoping to see a leopard in a tree and toward the end of our week in Kruger, my wish came true. We watched this beautiful cat as it napped in the branches and then stealthily descended the tree to stalk an impala.
I still have a lot of images and videos to edit through, so stay tuned for more...
Cheers!
Colin
Sleepy Lion
Waking up after guiding an all-night aurora tour like....
The lights were elusive in Southcentral Alaska last night but the guests enjoyed themselves nonetheless.
Male lion, Kruger National Park, South Africa, October 2023.
Colin
Male Lion, Kruger National Park
Male lion, Kruger National Park, South Africa. This was taken our first day in the park. It was late afternoon and the grass was blowing in the breeze, as was his mane.
I hope everyone had a nice holiday with family and friends.
I would like to send a big thank you Odd Man Rush Brewing in Eagle River for hosting my final book signing of the year last Friday. It was a very successful night, after a couple big days for orders following the book review in Anchorage Daily News last week. Click here to read ADN’s review.
I am still taking orders for signed copies of my book, "Seasons of the Nature Center," on my site. As of now, well over half have been sold: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store
Thank you for following and all the best for 2024 and beyond!
Colin
Giraffe Color Patterns
Like the spots of a leopard or the stripes of a zebra, giraffes have color patterns that are unique to each individual. These patches also provide camouflage that helps them to blend in with the trees and savannah.
Details for the October 2024 Namibia Tour with Nat Expo Tours are on our website: www.natexpotours.com and it looks like we are already half full...
Please message me if you are interested in joining!
Colin
