I think it is safe to assume we all have days that are better than others. Several weeks ago, just a few days before leaving to Kenya, to lead the Great Migration Safari, I had one of those monumental days/moments. I was frantically trying to “get it all done”, when the phone rang. On the other end was Steve Freligh, founder of Natures Best Photography Magazine, personally calling to inform me that I was the category winner for African wildlife in the annual competition- Windland Smith Rice Natures Best Photography. I was speechless. Many of you that have followed this amazing, but difficult journey, for more than a decade, know how much hard work, sweat, and tears went into this achievement.Today the announcement was made official publicly. Again, this comes days before I get on a plane to head to a special tribal ceremony in the middle of Africa, followed by my Botswana Premier Safari, a few weeks in Kenya, and ending with a few days in London for the book signing and exhibit of Remerging Rhino’s at the Royal Geographic Society . I am frantic in the preparation, but wanted to take a few moments to share the exciting news and honor!
The image above was sent to me last week, from Steve Freligh, as they prepare for the 1 year exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National History Museum, opening Oct 24, 2017, which will showcase the extraordinary work of outdoor photographers in 59 countries.
The image of the beautiful Reticulated Giraffe was captured in Samburu, Kenya; one of my favorite reserves.
For those of you who receive the magazine, you will be able to read the story behind the image soon. If you would like a copy of this prestigious nature publication, here is the link to subscribe. I will share the story behind the image from the publication when it becomes available.
You can view a copy of the winning image on the Signature Safari Africa Itinerary page.
Congratulations Piper, the award is well deserved and a great recognition of your considerable talent!
A huge thanks Andy, especially for all your support through the years! I am so glad I had the opportunity to travel with you in the Omo and in Namibia!
This is amazing and you are certainly deserving of such a prestigious award. What an honor. I hope I get to see the article! Congratulations, Piper. I can’t wait till our next adventure together! Well done.
Thanks so much Terry. I am also really looking forward to our next adventure!!! The magazine is beautiful and has kept it’s integrity through the years, which makes it even more of an honor. I doubt I will be toting one with me through India, but they should be available in most big book stores. I will probably bring an issue with me to the spring – Spirit-N-Light.
I am thrilled for you. Glad to see that your hard work and considerable talent are being recognized. You go, girl!
Thanks much Fran!! It was great to travel with you this year!
Dear Piper,
Kudos to you! How nice! Congratulations!
Sincerely, Leslye
Thank you Lesley!!!
Congrats on the honour, you deserve it! The picture is amazing!
Thank you so much Mark!!! It was fantastic to host you on this years epic Great Migration !!! I hope to have the opportunity to travel with you again in the future!
So happy for you! Well deserved.
Thank you so much Muriel is is an incredible honor and you know how hard I have worked for it!!! Love seeing all the beautiful imagery you post!!!
Congratulations Piper! What a well deserved honor 🙂
A huge thank you Ivy. I have also enjoyed watching the recognition you have received for your work this year and I am really looking forward to finally meeting you this spring!
Congratulations Piper, well deserved.
Thank you so much Lynn!! I can’t wait to see you in Botswana!!!
Congratulations! Brilliant. Glad to see you rewarded for such find and hard work!
Thank you so much Don!! I wish I could say I captured this beautiful image on our safari, but it was the year after. I am thrilled I will hosting Edie and yourself on the Signature Safari Africa next year and I am hoping I will have more big news before then…………
This is Wonderful Piper! So very well deserved. Awesome image!
Thank you so much Denise. It was such an exciting moment!!
Congratulations to you, Piper. I’m inspired on many levels. Your work is lovely.
Thank you Nancy!! It is an incredible honor and even more knowing that it inspires others!!
Wow, what an honor! Congratulations, your work is beautiful! I can’t wait to go on a Safari with you!
It is an incredible honor, thank you Beth!! I can’t wait for you to come on safari!!!
That is fantastic Piper. I have followed your work for years! Well done! Hope you get many more awards in the future as well!
Thank you Raymond. What an honor that you have followed my work for years and stayed with me through all the blood, sweat, and tears….so to speak!
Well deserved, Piper! Your wildlife photography is as good as it gets. Keep on trekkin’.
Thanks so much Lori! It is these unbelievable moments that refuels my passion and drive to keep on trekkin’!!
Congratulations Piper!!!!
Thank you Larry!
So excited for you. Congratulations.
Susan Q Byrd Photo Art
Thank you Susan!!! As you know a lot of handwork, passion, and drive of many years has gone into this achievement!
Just excellent Piper, congratulations, you so deserve this award for all the years of hard work and dedication, about time, your work is just superb, dynamic and courageous. Well done dear one, many years of blood, sweat and tears behind this, such a hard field for women to break into and you have done it! Well done.
Silva – Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! It is a huge honor and achievement! with a lot of hard, hard, hard, work behind it……chasing a dream is a tough business….LOL!!!
Well deserved Piper. Congratulations!
Thank you so much Judith. I am looking forward to seeing both Keith and you in India…very soon!!! and also back in Africa!
HI Piper , Thrilled and excited for you winning this prestigious award. Congratulations and Well done , but also not surprised as you are an amazing, inspirational photographer . Love your work , big smiles and hugs
Giovanna [Bali ]
Thank you so much Giovanna! Your work is also very soulful and inspirational. I really look forward to traveling with you again!!! And Bali is still very high on the list because of you and your beautiful store!!
Congratulations of this huge honor, Piper! Super proud of you!!!
Thank you Tin Man Lee- it is such an honor, as you know!!! I love seeing all the post of your work!
Piper, your work is outstanding. Keep it up and well deserved.
Good for you, that is so awesome. I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been following you for a long time and reminds me to hold onto my dreams. So inspiring and one day I will be on your safaris.
Fabulous news, Piper. Having myself guided in Africa (Namibia) and been so inspired by its wildlife and people, I have loved followiing your journey and your awesome photography. Great recognition for your dedication and inspiration
Superb! Congratulations Piper … well deserved!!!
Great news Piper and well done! Getting recognized for hard work and something you love to do is always a plus. Seems your journey into this world of photography has been both humbling and rewarding on many levels. Keep moving forward, it can only continue to get better! Nice job and congrats.
I am so thrilled for you Piper! That is such incredible news. Another feather in your cap. It seems you excel at everything you put your energy into. I loved the workshop I did with you and wouldn’t hesitate to give you the highest recommendation as tour leader & guide!
Hetta
Congrats Piper … good to see all the hard work pays! Well deserved!!!
Congrats Piper!! You are an amazing Photographer, I love your photos of all the animals I would never see in real life!
Congratulations, Hard work pays….
Congratulations Piper. It is such an amazing honor and you are so deserving of it. The 2016 exhibition was gorgeous and I’m sure this years presentation will be stellar.
That is just so amazing…you are AMAZING!!
Congratulations! You are an artist and rightfully honored! Love from a true fan and wishes for many more days in the “bush”!!
Deanna
Congratulations on your recent win with Nature’s Best Photography!!! … I can appreciate the well deserved excitement over the award as I was the Grand Prize winner and the Wildlife Category winner in 2009 ( two separate images from Africa). One thing you will discover is that visits to your blog and/or website will increase considerably ( I had approx. 200,000 additional visits to my website year one). You will also get additional exposure while on exhibit at the Smithsonian by several million visitors…. I had the rare privilege to also be one of the twenty grand prize winners in their 20th anniversary exhibit at the Smithsonian (it ran a full year). I strongly suggest that if you are in the Washington, DC area at the time of the next exhibit that you stop in to see the display of your work and others. If you have any interest you can see some photos of previous exhibits, and some of my work, at my website. Again, congrats – nice work ! Love your images … John