In wildlife photography, common species are often overlooked in favour of impact. Many photographers become so focused on iconic species such as the “Big Five” that they risk overlooking many other fascinating and photogenic animals sharing the very same ecosystems. Across Africa south of the Sahara there are a raft of species that are often taken for granted. On the plains of the Mara, plains game is everywhere you look: zebra, topi, gazelles, hartebeest and impala. In South Africa’s bushveld, common antelope are everywhere: duiker, steenbok, kudu, nyala and impala.

Among the most numerous of all are wildebeest, yet it is never just another wildebeest. Every species has a natural history story to tell and each one of the four photographs in this blog post does just that. It may be subtle, but it is there. Post your answers in the comments!

1. Topi with a western white-bearded wildebeest herd. Maasai Mara.

The pull of iconic species

These animals are almost constantly present, so visually familiar that they are rarely granted the same attention as more “special” sightings, despite being central to the ecosystems we travel so far to witness. This is understandable, as most people travelling to sub-Saharan Africa dream of lions, leopards, cheetahs and elephants. These are often the species that dominate photography portfolios and social media feeds. It is natural to gravitate towards the animals that first inspired the journey, especially if time is limted in the field.

The pull of iconic species

But wildlife photography should not be just about charismatic megafauna. Every species has a contributes something to the wider narrative of the ecosystem. The impala browsing beneath an acacia tree, the wildebeest grazing on the plains and the zebra standing alert at a waterhole all play roles in a complex web of relationships that make Africa what it is. Every species has a role, and every encounter is part of a wider story that deserves a place in your safari portfolio.

2. Male Impala. There’s another story here, with an additional subject. Plain-backed or buffy pipit? We aren’t sure! Some of these LBJs are difficult to ID.

The value of common species

In wildlife photography, common species offer incredibly valuable photographic opportunities. We can spend an hour or two with a leopard and still leave with photographs that are destined to fall victim to the delete button. Yet a herd of impala in good light can provide endless compositions, behavioural moments and subtle interactions. There is a quiet discipline in learning to see these species properly, to slow down enough to notice the ear flick of a zebra, the dust rising behind a running wildebeest, or the oxpecker on the back of a kudu. These are not lesser moments. They are simply less obvious ones.

That said, we will not usually spend an hour or two with an impala or wildebeest unless something exceptional is happening. But equally, we will always stop if someone in the vehicle wants the opportunity to add to their photographic portfolio.

Spending a bit of time photographing and watching common species makes you realise that the habitat is not just a stage for the rare or spectacular. It impresses upon you that every animal, from the most elusive leopard to the most abundant wildebeest, is worth your attention.