As I sit here contemplating my new adventures, expeditions, photo assignments and countries for 2020, I reflect on what a great year 2019 has been, and where it has taken me. Here is an overview of some of the things that I have experienced and achieved in this time. Thank you all for being there with me, supporting me through your comments, coming on safari to embrace the adventure in person, supporting me through purchasing fine art prints or through the love of your pet with one of my Animal Communication Healing sessions. Also in believing in my Conservation and Humanitarian projects, helping me help others. All support means that I can continue to tread down the path that I love and believe in so much, whether for the change I believe is needed for Earths ascension, teaching through photography and my own experiences, and helping those I meet along the way. Thank you.
2019 IN BRIEF
My longest trip to Africa – 5 months
Countries visited 6 – Borneo, Uganda x2, Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia x2 (new), Madagascar (new)
Safaris lead – 3 – Borneo x2, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya x1
Photo Assignments – Ethiopia x2, Madagascar x1
Personal projects – writing my book on Mountain Gorillas, Photographing Ethiopian Wolves
Amazing sightings – Tim and Greg, two of the last approximately 30 remaining Big Tuskers
Ethiopian Wolves
Mountain Gorilla babies
Fosa
Geladas
Incredible personal experiences – being charged by a 240 kg Silver back Mountain Gorilla
Communicating with Gorillas, truly humbling
Being caught out in a storm with my camera in hand on the Bale Mountain plateau in Ethiopia with an Ethiopian wolf, both embracing Mother Nature; and each other in the process.
Being surrounded by hundreds of Gelada Old World Monkeys in the Semien Mountains in Ethiopia, accepted to sit with them for awhile
Being in the presence of greats; Big Tuskers and the last remaining two Northern White Rhinos on Earth
Three Gorilla treks
The privilege of seeing some endangered species for the first time
For-filling two of my long time dreams, Avenue of the BaoBabs, Madagascar and St George in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Walking amongst some of the oldest structures on Earth, Ethiopia
Surviving the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Indulging in some new camera gear
My first print run of my WILDtalk tees
Helping change the lives of three families in Kisoro, Uganda, through humanitarian efforts
Helped plant 250 trees in Kenya
PERSONALLY
Loosing my best friend of 15 years, Cougar
Falling in love (and out of love)
Study, to be a better version of me
Driving my first racing boat
Making some beautiful new friends while learning life lessons from others
Developing spiritually
2020 is looking to be as adventurous, exciting and rewarding with some new photo assignments in the pipeline, new countries to explore, new wildlife to meet, a book to complete.
Step with me into 2020 with purpose, optimism, love, courage, and belief. Embrace your dreams, they are your own, no one else’s. Don’t let anyone steal your thunder! You know it!
To the photographers; here’s to great light; see you out there
To the adventurers; go for it, there’s no time like the present
To the spiritual workers; always heal yourself first; Nature is Queen
Lets all make 2020 a year to remember. Love, not hate. Plant a tree, or 50. Reduce your plastic usage, she’s the only Earth we have. Help those less fortunate. Show gratitude. Be kind. Meditate. Love yourself. Be in Nature.
Love and light,
Sami xo
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