The Water Diviner

Lewa Downs, 2024

Elephants possess an incredible ability to find water, thanks to their acute sense of smell, which allows them to detect water from up to 12 miles away.

During my brief visit to Lewa in February this year, I hadn’t planned specific shots or locations, as my stay was too short for detailed preparations. My guide, Spooky, took us to a place known as Sambara Dam, a beautiful spot with an expansive savannah landscape, ideal for photography. We went there more in hope than expectation and got incredibly lucky.

The appearance of a huge bull elephant was an unexpected bonus. As he approached, I knew I wanted to capture him against the vast backdrop. Having not been to the location before or made any compositional plans, execution was all rather ad hoc.

What I didn’t anticipate was the elephant coming so close and spraying water not only on himself but also at us in the vehicle. It was quite a privilege to be water-gunned by an elephant. The fact that he came so close really is what made this image special.

I particularly love elephant images in black and white; it adds a timeless quality, evoking a sense of the enduring spirit and resilience of these magnificent creatures.