Series description
This series was produced using a remote camera trap installed at a forested river crossing in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camera was set up in collaboration with rhino rangers to monitor endangered black rhinoceroses moving through a key corridor and was left running continuously for three months. While its primary purpose was conservation monitoring, the system also allowed nocturnal scenes to be lit creatively, revealing the wildlife and habitat in dramatic ways that are rarely seen. The location was chosen for its striking scenery, enabling the images to document both animal movements and the ecological diversity and beauty of an area largely closed to tourism.
Biography
Will Burrard-Lucas is a British wildlife photographer whose work celebrates the natural world and conservation. His books include Black Leopard (2021) and Land of Giants (2019).
Black Rhino
An Eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) moves through a forested river crossing in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve at night. A remote camera trap was installed here in collaboration with rhino rangers to monitor how individuals use secluded corridors linking feeding areas and water sources.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Leopard
A leopard (Panthera pardus) approaches to drink at the river crossing before slipping back into the forest. Leopards are rarely seen in these dense interiors, even by rangers, and camera traps are usually the most effective way to confirm their presence in the Maasai Mara’s hidden river corridors.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Hippopotamus
A hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) with visible injuries emerges at the river crossing. Hippos frequently sustain wounds during territorial fights, which often take place at night. Camera traps document these unseen aspects of life along the Maasai Mara’s waterways.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Bushbuck
A bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) steps cautiously into view at the forested crossing. Shy antelope like this rely on dense cover and are rarely encountered on the open plains, highlighting the importance of riverine forest as a refuge for less conspicuous species.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Giraffe
A masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi) navigates the narrow river crossing after dark. Although they are usually associated with open savannah, giraffes also move through enclosed forest corridors, adapting their behaviour to habitats rarely seen by visitors.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Kudu
A greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) passes through the crossing, marking the first recorded sighting of the species in this area for more than a decade. Its appearance was an unexpected and exciting discovery for the ranger team monitoring wildlife movements.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Elephant and Calf
An African savanna elephant and her calf cross the river together under the cover of darkness. Safe corridors like this are essential for breeding herds, allowing young animals to move between feeding areas and water while avoiding disturbance.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Black Rhino in Flood
An Eastern black rhinoceros fords the river during a flash flood in the Maasai Mara. The camera trap was mounted high on the bank to withstand sudden surges in water level. The image records how wildlife continues to use vital crossings even as the conditions become increasingly extreme.
© Will Burrard-Lucas, United Kingdom, Finalist, Professional Competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards