Over the last three decades Paul Souders has mounted dozens of solo photographic expeditions and visited more than 65 countries. He has been kissed by dolphins, slapped by penguins, head-butted by walrus, terrorized by lions, and menaced by vertebrates large and small. He once spent 27 hours digging a bogged safari truck out of the Serengeti mud using only a sauce pan.

He still thinks he has the best job in the world.