Timeless Wilderness was the first book from Gerald Hinde and Richard du Toit to grace my desk. I paged through it with such excitement that I immediately phoned the publisher asking if I could meet the photographers... This book is filled with the most extraordinary images that I doubt any other photographer has ever captured. The first picture that captured my imagination in the book was the hippo's feet... The large aquatic herbivore rolled underwater in an unlikely display of water ballet and Richard du Toit was there to immortalise the moment. The collection of animal interaction shots is simply astonishing. There are shots of conflict between a Steppe Eagle and a Saddle Billed Stork, as well as between Wild Dog and Fish Eagle to name just a few. These are moments so unique they may never be captured on film again. In writing the text for the book, Richard du Toit really includes you in those unexpected bush moments which one only experiences in a life time of beast watching. His comments show both his extensive knowledge of animal behaviour and his sensitivity in communing with wild creatures.
I do have one criticism of this beatuiful work. Richard du Toit writes magnificently and his lengthy captions left me craving for more. Let's hope that in his next book he lets the ink flow more freely and gives us even more to get stuck into.
I did finally get to meet Richard du Toit and Gerald Hinde. Over a marvellous lunch, I asked why they had named the book "Images from a Timeless Wilderness". Richard's face lit up and he said "There are a handful of places left on earth where you can feel such primal power. This place on the Kwai River feels as though it hasn't changed since the beginning of time. It is the real Eden."
Thankfully, there are talented souls like Gerald Hinde and Richard du Toit to document in exquisite detail the fleeting moments of magic in this African Eden.
