"Just as I have given up hope, a mirage appears on the horizon, with a line of grey ghosts shimmering in the heat haze and dust. This spectre-like image fades as they get closer. Elephants! They march silently yet purposefully in a straight line, flapping their huge ears to keep cool. 

I lift my binoculars to take a closer look. Expecting a matriarchal herd heading towards me I could not believe what I saw. “Bull elephants!” I say out loud, “Seven bull elephants!” I had never seen so many male elephants marching silently together. They were massive in size.

I put down my binoculars and watch them walk across the great expanse of Etosha pan, I decided to take a photograph of them. As I do, the lead elephant lifts his trunk high in the air. It was perfect, I clicked and captured this perfect moment.  

I drive ahead, anticipating their route. Five kilometres later I pull off the track and wait patiently, my camera ready. The bull elephants are moving faster now as they smell the water. they are now walking directly towards me. I lift my camera and place it firmly on my bean bag, which straddles my car window. As I tremble with anticipation, the elephants are less than fifty meters away. Their sheer size as they march into my frame is overwhelming. I check my settings. Then for a few seconds, my heart and brain synchronise as one. I zone out as I compose and recompose. The lead bull elephant flaps his ears. It was the moment I was waiting for; I press the shutter. In less than a fraction of a second, this one single frame has captured the essence of these amazing creatures - the Magnificent Seven"