My Seventh Wildlife Photographer of the Year Recognition
I’m pleased to share that my photograph, Herd Huddle, has been awarded a Highly Commended in the Behaviour: Mammal category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026.
This is my seventh recognition in the prestigious competition. Previous awards have included the Peoples’ Choice award in 2019 and the portfolio cover in 2011.
It’s a pleasure to be part of this year’s selection with a photograph that brings back a particularly memorable encounter in India.
Herd Huddle shows a family of wild Asian elephants gathered protectively around their young. I took it in April 2024 while leading a photographic safari in Kaziranga National Park, at Assam in India.
An unexpected encounter in Kaziranga
We were rolling along a narrow trail parallel to a river on a quiet and uneventful morning. Nearing the forest edge, we looked up to find a family of about twelve elephants coming towards us.
They saw us at the same time as we saw them, so both parties were equally surprised. We stopped just as the young ones scrambled to huddle under the adults for security.
The herd came a little closer, and I was able to take a few photographs before they bunched together and melted back into the forest. The whole encounter lasted around five minutes.
The way the adults gathered around the young ones is what I believe gives the photograph its character. Their protective response was what held my attention, and it became the subject of the image.
A family photograph from a bygone age
For this picture, I preferred a warm, sepia-like tone. The apparent formality of the pose suggested a family photograph from a bygone age.
Although I’m particularly known for my black and white wildlife photography, I choose the treatment that I feel suits each image. Here, the warmer tone complemented the arrangement of the elephants and the feeling of a family gathered together.
This encounter also reflects something I value about wildlife photography: being ready when an otherwise quiet morning changes. We hadn’t anticipated the herd appearing, and there was only a short opportunity to photograph them before they returned to the forest.
Why we visit Kaziranga
We visit Kaziranga primarily for its wild Asian elephants and the Greater One Horned Rhino. There are also domesticated elephants within the park and around its outer edges, some working and some retired, but it is the wild herds that are our focus.
The park’s grasslands, wetlands and forests provide varied settings for photography. Alongside elephants, we look for greater one-horned Rhinos and birds including the Great Hornbill.
Kaziranga is part of my Wildlife of India photo tour, which also visits Pench and Bandhavgarh. Each park offers a different experience, and Kaziranga’s elephants are an important reason I return.
Herd Huddle was photographed while guiding guests on one of these trips. Wildlife encounters are always unpredictable, but this one has stayed with me.
Herd Huddle: Available to buy in print
To mark this latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year recognition, Herd Huddle is now available to purchase as “Kaziranga” for a limited time.
View the Kaziranga print and ordering details in my online store.
Here on my website, you can also see my previous awarded photographs.
Related: Two Images Awarded In The Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Awards 2023
Join me to photograph the wildlife of India
If you’d like to experience Kaziranga National Park and photograph its wildlife with me, my 2027 Wildlife of India tour is open for booking.
We travel in a small group, with no more than two photographers per vehicle and personal guidance for photographers of different experience levels.
Explore the Wildlife of India itinerary, or get in touch if you’d like to discuss whether it’s the right trip for you. You’re also welcome to enquire about plans for 2028 or a bespoke tour for a group of family or friends.
David
Related: ‘A Flick of the Tail’ Featured In New Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Book
