Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Friends Photographs



Lion
(Jaco Henning)


Lilac-breasted Roller
(Jaco Henning)


Water Thick-knee
(Jaco Henning)


Lilac-breasted Roller
(Thea Henning)




Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Golden Harvest




Crowned Lapwing
(Vanellus coronatus)

Nikon D3 | Nikon 600mm f/4G & TC-17E II


Termite mounds are scattered throughout Rietvlei Nature Reserve, providing the ideal perch for bird photography. However, termite mounds do not only exist as the perfect perch for ground dwelling Crowned Lapwings. These mounds are created by termites, small insects that not only play a critical role in the ecology, but also provide sustenance to a wide variety of mammal, bird and other species.


Birds make use of the opportunity to harvest termites and provide photographers with great photographic opportunities.



Crowned Lapwing
(Vanellus coronatus)

Nikon D3 | Nikon 600mm f/4G


Back-light provides ideal conditions to capture the feasting Lapwing, and produce images in perfect light conditions. Swaying grass in the late afternoon breeze, adorned with magical African twilight, complemented the subject with the perfect fiery background.




Crowned Lapwing
(Vanellus coronatus)

Nikon D3 | Nikon 600mm f/4G


Changing my position to capture a willing subject from a different perspective also provides some side-lit images.


The feast is not limited to lapwings only. Other species also capitalise on the abundance nature provides.



Pied Starling
(Spreo bicolor)

Nikon D3 | Nikon 600mm f/4G & TC-17E II



Cape Glossy Starling
(Lamprotornis nitens)

Nikon D3 | Nikon 600mm f/4G & TC-17E II




Friday, May 9, 2014

Real-estate Dispute

Cattle Egrets always provide amazing opportunities, especially when feeding amongst Africa's big game species. My preferred species for these opportunities must undoubtedly be Zebra.

And this time was no exception. After a view minutes waiting for action, concentrating on a lonely egret, resting on its favorite mobile perch that was soon to be invaded.



Incoming - The Tactical Approach.


Preparing for the inevitable.


Intimidation by proximity and attitude "always" provides the desired result.


Lift-off.


But a mobile, ebony and ivory colored, striped perch is worth defending..


Victory, perch secured, at least for now.




Tuesday, April 1, 2014

S130 Depression - Kruger National Park

Crocodile Bridge - Kruger National Park
S130 Depression

Situated in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park, on the bank of the Crocodile River is the small Crocodile Bridge rest camp, also serving as an entrance gate to the south-eastern part of the Kruger National Park. This section of the park is known as the Crocodile Bridge area, and from here we will explore the south-eastern section of the park in a series of articles.

One of my favourite routes, "Crocodile Bridge - S28 - S137 - S130 (north) - S28 - Crocodile Bridge" route wander through this section of the Kruger National Park. Just a few kilometres north of the Crocodile Bridge rest camp, the S28 road meander through Knob thorn / Marula tree savannah and provides some of the most productive wildlife photography area in the Southern parts of the Kruger National Park.

Scattered along the S130 road are small depressions filled with water during the rainy season, attracting a wide variety of wildlife looking to quenching their thirst in the African heat.

In this article we will however focus on one depression in particular in the small northern section of the S130 road, among Knob Thorn thickets.

Below is a pictorial representation of photographic opportunities during a 10 day visit to this area in 2013.





S130 Depression


Situated on the western side of the S130 road this small depression provides great opportunities during the early mornings. Open on the eastern side it allows the rich golden morning light to fill the entire area.

Early mornings also provide opportunities for the last glimpse of nocturnal species quenching their thirst before the lazy daylight hours begin.

The Crocodile Bridge area is a predator rich environment and this small section is no exception with big predators frequently visiting the depression, and with predators you always have the opportunity to find scavengers. On two occasions I could see lions in the thicket but the opportunity to immortalise these magnificent African creatures eluded me this time.



African civet
(Civettictis civetta)


I was fortunate to be able to share a moment in time with one of these nocturnal visitors, an African Civet a solitary animal with a secretive life style visited the depression. Probably a frequent visitor to this depression during its early morning strolls back from scavenging.

During one of my early morning visits to the depression, a Spotted-hyaena visited the waterhole. Clearly evident from the colour of this individual’s fur, it was feasting before thirst drove the Spotted hyaena to the depression.



Spotted hyaena
(Crocuta crocuta)


This female hyaena approached the water hole with caution. Before entering the water the hyaena carefully observed her surroundings.



Spotted hyaena
(Crocuta crocuta)


"Clean" at last, , she disappeared in to the surrounding thickets.



Spotted hyaena
(Crocuta crocuta)


The water also attracts a wide variety of general game species seeking to quench their thirst.



African elephant
(Loxodonta africana)



African elephant
(Loxodonta africana)



Impala
(Aepyceros melampus)



Burchell's Zebra
(Equus burchellii)




Saturday, March 29, 2014

March 2014



Black-shouldered Kite
(Elanus caeruleus)