I had made many photographs of forest elephants, but only in clearings. Not a true image, as they spend most of their lives in the forest. Mike Fay told me via satellite phone: “The elephants know we are protecting this place, and they are finally recolonizing, sending young males in to test the waters. You have got to come and photograph.”

Within days, supported by my National Geographic editor, Kathy Moran, I was standing just a few feet away from this young elephant. We were both very nervous.