About me

My name is Darren van Eyssen, an automotive engineer with a profound passion for nature.
I grew up in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

I am a qualified automotive engineer. It has been my line of work since finishing school in 2009.
I've always found joy in working with my hands and trying to fix everything that breaks.

My passion for wildlife all started with herpetology. I have a fascination for reptiles and amphibians.
Going out most weekends, whether it was road cruising the streets at night looking for snakes crossing the roads or flipping rocks on the hillside during the daylight hours,
or wading around wetlands photographing the many different amphibian species it has to offer.

Spending so much time in nature, I grew fond of birds and that's where my love for birdwatching started, maybe persuaded a bit by friends!
Once I started my bird "lifelist," I was instantly hooked and could not wait to get out and tick off "lifers" from my list.
There's something special about sitting for hours, waiting for that "lifer" to pop out of the thicket or out of the reeds and onto a mudflat in front of you.
It's an instant relief and sudden rush of dopamine; words really cannot describe the feeling.

I really enjoy being active. I enjoy skateboarding and surfing when I find time between herpetology, birdwatching, and work.
Living in Durban has been wonderful; I am blessed with beautiful beaches, amazing coastal forests, and many grassland areas to explore.