Benjamin Smail Productions

14/02/2024

14/02/2024

The Bengal Tiger, King of the jungle.

Taken in January at Bandhavgarh National Park, on the Nature Talks India wildlife photo trip.

25/08/2023

Master of Elegance and Precision!

Witness the breathtaking moment as the Black Heron unveils its remarkable fishing technique in the rivers of Gambia, West Africa. With wings poised over its head like a living umbrella, a action shot frozen in time. Nature's artistry at its finest. 🌍🎣

19/05/2023

🔥 A Fiery Encounter: Red-Billed Firefinch! 🔥

In the heart of The Gambia's lush forests, I managed to capture this moment with a Red-Billed Firefinch. This striking male bird, adorned with vibrant plumage, truly stands out in the natural tapestry of the forest. 🌿📷✨

This low-key photograph captures the mystique of the moment, with a burst of colour and a ray of light gracefully piercing through the forest canopy. 🌳🔆

The Red-Billed Firefinch is known for its captivating song and its remarkable ability to navigate through dense vegetation. Its presence adds a touch of vibrancy and life to the surrounding habitat, reminding us of the delicate balance that exists in the natural world. 🎶🐦

Join me in celebrating the diversity of The Gambia's avian inhabitants. Let's cherish these moments and strive to protect the precious ecosystems that support their existence. 🌍❤️

For more captivating wildlife photography and tales of adventure, visit my website: https://benjaminsmailproductions.com/home

Or explore my YouTube channel for more immersive journeys into the heart of nature. Just search “Benjamin Smail”. 📺🌿

Taken with Canon R3 + Sigma 500mm F.4 📸🌺

16/05/2023

"Pied Perfection"

✨ Behold the exquisite beauty of the Pied Kingfisher, captured in this captivating close-up portrait taken in the enchanting landscapes of Gambia. With its striking monochrome plumage and piercing gaze, this regal bird truly stands out as nature's royal jewel. ✨

15/05/2023

"Basking Beauty”

The magnificent West African Nile Monitor Lizard, basking in the warm morning sun along the riverbank in Gambia. This is a stunning creature, with its sleek scales and vibrant colours, showcases the true beauty of nature.

Taken from a canoe 🛶 from . On the Nature talks Gambia 🇬🇲 trip

Canon R3 + Canon 100-500mm L RF

14/05/2023

“The Masked Marauder”

Meet the Banded Mongoose

These social animals live in large family groups of up to 30 individuals and are known for their teamwork and cooperation?
Not only are banded mongooses great at working together to defend against predators, but they also have unique communication methods such as using different calls for different types of predators. And, did you know that they have a resistance to snake venom which allows them to take down venomous snakes without harm?

This photo captures just a small glimpse of the fascinating world of African wildlife.

13/05/2023

The uncropped version.

13/05/2023

"Lothlórien"

13/05/2023

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a flying croc!

I captured this shot of a crocodile leaping out of the water in Gambia! It's amazing how these creatures can move, even in the water.

13/05/2023

13/05/2023

“The Hunter's Lesson”

This juvenile African Goshawk was a regular visitor around Maraakissa Rivercamp in Gambia. Watching it learn to hunt was a thrilling experience. I often saw it swoop down from the canopies to pick off unsuspecting prey, sometimes larger than itself. Despite never seeing it successful, I managed to snap this shot of it coming down to the first floor for an evening drink at the pool. It reminds me that even the most skilled hunters need to learn and grow.

You can get a chase to snap this majestic bird to if you check out the Natural talks photo trip to the Gambia.

Canon R3 + Sigma 500mm F.4

12/04/2023

"The Longhouse"

Viking Village in East Fjords of Iceland.

This set piece has been featured in productions like Game of Thrones, Vikings, and The Last Kingdom, bringing the Viking Age to life for audiences all over the world.

Apart from its cinematic connections, the Viking village is also a fascinating cultural and historical site, showcasing the unique way of life of the Vikings.

The East Fjords region is also renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, with rugged mountains, glittering fjords, and cascading waterfalls all waiting to be discovered. It's truly a nature lover's paradise!

07/04/2023

“The Ice Swan”

“The Ice Swan”

Did you know that Iceland is home to one of the largest populations of whooper swans in the world? Whooper swans mate for life and can live up to 25 years.

06/04/2023

“Crater of Ice & Fire”

Hverfjall is a volcanic crater that formed about 2,500 years ago and is one of the main attractions in the area. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, especially during the winter season when everything is covered in snow.

05/04/2023

"The Great Geysir”

A Natural Wonder of Iceland

I was lucky enough to witness the incredible power and beauty of the Great Geysir in Iceland. Did you know that it's one of the oldest geysers in the world, with the first recorded eruption dating back to the 13th century? It's located in the Haukadalur valley and can erupt up to 70 meters high. This is truly a natural wonder and a must-visit destination in Iceland.

04/04/2023

“Chasing Foss”

Chasing Sunbeams at Seljalandsfoss

I had the privilege of capturing this stunning landscape at Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. The warmth of the oranges of the sunrise combined with the cool blues of the ice, water, and shadows created a perfect harmony of colours that I couldn't resist capturing.

But what makes this photo truly special is the light beam coming from behind the cliff and waterfall, casting a warm glow on everything in its path. And in that beam of light, I spotted a seagull gracefully soaring by, adding an extra touch of magic to the scene.

Seljalandsfoss is located on the South Coast of Iceland, and it's one of the few waterfalls in the world where visitors can walk behind the falls for a unique perspective. (Only in summer not whilst I was there in March)

Iceland is truly a wonderland of natural beauty, and I'm grateful for every opportunity to capture it through my lens.

03/04/2023

"Wings Over Lóndrangar’s”

A Bird's Eye View of Lóndrangar's Seabird Colony

Check out this drone shot of the bird colony near Lóndrangar in Snæfellsjökull National Park. This breathtaking location is home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

The Snæfellsbær peninsula is known for its rugged coastline and dramatic cliffs, and this bird colony is one of the most impressive sights you'll see in Iceland. Did you know that the puffins that live here only come to land during the breeding season? They spend the rest of their lives out at sea, hunting for fish.
The birds that call this location home are an important part of the ecosystem in Iceland. They help to control the populations of fish and other marine life, and they play an important role in the food chain.

02/04/2023

“Viking Aurora”

When the Northern Lights Danced with Vesturhorn, Iceland's Mighty Guardian

A breathtaking view of Vesturhorn mountain in Iceland! The northern lights, scientifically known as aurora borealis, make a rare appearance in this photograph. The cloudy night sky adds a layer of mystery and drama to the already awe-inspiring landscape.

Despite the challenges faced during the shoot, I managed to capture an image of Vesturhorn mountain and the black sand beaches in front of it. The strong winds may have affected the shot, but it did not stop me from capturing this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Vesturhorn mountain, also known as Stokksnes, is located on the southeast coast of Iceland. This majestic mountain is a part of the Vatnajökull National Park, which is the largest national park in Europe. The mountain rises 454 meters above the surrounding area and is known for its steep slopes and rugged terrain.
The surrounding area is just as stunning, with vast stretches of black sand beaches and towering cliffs that add to the dramatic landscape. The area is a popular destination for photographers and tourists who want to experience Iceland's natural beauty.

Despite the challenges faced during the shoot, I managed to capture an image of Vesturhorn mountain and the black sand beaches in front of it. This photograph serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of nature, and the importance of preserving it for future generations to enjoy.

01/04/2023

“Winter is Coming"
Goðafoss waterfall 🇮🇸

31/03/2023

A Winter's Melody: A Snow Bunting Serenades Jökulsárlón
It was an incredible experience taking photos of a snow bunting in its winter plumage at Jökulsárlón in Iceland. The contrast of the white snow and the soft puffed-out feathers of the snow bunting, Against the blue ice of the lagoon, makes truly stunning colours.

Snow buntings are a common bird species found in Iceland, especially during the winter months. They are known for their hardiness in the face of harsh weather conditions and can be found in many parts of the country, from the coastline to the highlands.

Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon located in southeastern Iceland, near the Vatnajökull National Park. It is known for its stunning blue ice formations and has become a popular destination for photographers and tourists alike. The lagoon is fed by the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which has been receding rapidly in recent years due to climate change. As a result, Jökulsárlón is constantly changing and evolving, making it a unique and dynamic landscape to photograph.

Snow buntings have a beautiful and distinctive call that is one of the joys of encountering these birds in the wild. Their call is a high-pitched tinkling sound that can be heard from a distance, often described as sounding like a set of bells. It's a sound that adds to the peaceful and serene atmosphere of Iceland's winter landscape.

Despite their small size, snow buntings are some of the toughest birds out there. They are adapted to survive in the harshest of environments, including the cold and windy conditions that are common in Iceland's winter months. They have special adaptations that help them withstand the cold, such as thick plumage and a high metabolism that helps keep them warm.

If you're lucky enough to hear the call of a snow bunting while exploring Iceland's rugged landscapes, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this small but mighty bird. It's a reminder of the power of nature and the resilience of life, even in the face of adversity.

30/03/2023

On my recent trip to Iceland 🇮🇸, I spent some time exploring the Snæfellsjökull National Park, in search of the elusive Arctic Fox. Although I didn't have any luck spotting the fox, I stumbled upon something just as exciting - a Mink and its den nestled among the volcanic rocks along the coast.

Did you know that Minks are not native to Iceland? They were introduced to the country in the early 20th century for fur farming purposes, but some escaped and established wild populations. Today, Minks are considered an invasive species in Iceland, as they have no natural predators and are known to prey on native bird species and other wildlife.

Despite being a non-native species, Minks are quite common in Iceland, with estimates suggesting that there are tens of thousands of them on the island. They are most commonly found near water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and coastlines, where they hunt for fish, birds, and other small animals.

Fun fact: Minks are excellent swimmers and can dive to depths of up to 16 feet (5 meters) in search of food. They are also known for their sleek, dark fur, which has made them a target for the fur trade.

If you're planning a wildlife photography trip to Iceland, be sure to keep an eye out for Minks!



I hope you enjoyed my encounter with this fascinating creature in Iceland's beautiful Snæfellsjökull National Park. Happy exploring!

26/02/2023

Testing out the Canon C70 with 100-500mm RF for wildlife filmmaking in The Gambia.

Part of the Gambia wildlife Travel series. For Collaboration and Business inquiries please use the contact information below:📩 Email: benjamin@benjaminsmai...

23/02/2023

Low key wildlife photography. This West African Nile Crocodile 🐊 dived into the water when I paddled past in the canoe 🛶. The canon r3 tracked it through the air into the water at 30fps!

Taken at

21/02/2023

Yellow-billed kite dive

Taken at Marakissa river camp.

20/02/2023

A mob of Banded mongoose treated me to a vist when at Brufut photo hide in Gambia.