Leopard Tortoise

While we were out looking for the cheetah on our afternoon drive, Graeme came across a leopard tortoise that was dangerously close to getting stuck in the electric fencing at the property perimeter.  Thankfully he managed to free it without giving himself a shock, and I managed to snap a couple photos as the tortoise headed off on its way.

Leopard Tortoise

One week done already – Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT

Here is a selection from some of the hundreds of photos I have taken over the past couple days at Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT.  I’ve seen quite a bit of Kalahari, the beautiful cheetah over the last couple days.  He will definitely need a few posts dedicated just to him!  But right now, I must dash as time to head out and find the wild dogs!

My first afternoon spent with the cheetah called Kalahari.  He's such a beautiful creature, and so photogenic!
My first afternoon spent with the cheetah called Kalahari. He’s such a beautiful creature, and so photogenic!
A yellow billed hornbill calling.
A yellow billed hornbill calling.
A mountain reedbuck coming in to land just outside the fence at the volunteer house at Zimanga.
A mountain reedbuck coming in to land just outside the fence at the volunteer house at Zimanga.
I took a morning boat trip on the Jozini Dam and was lucky enough to see a breeding herd of elephants :) Happy happy Jen!!!
I took a morning boat trip on the Jozini Dam and was lucky enough to see a breeding herd of elephants 🙂 Happy happy Jen!!!
The yard at the volunteer house at Zimanga Game Reserve is filled with birds :)  This yellow fronted canary was in the tall grasses outside the kitchen window.
The yard at the volunteer house at Zimanga Game Reserve is filled with birds 🙂 This yellow fronted canary was in the tall grasses outside the kitchen window.

zimanga.com

wildlifeact.com

Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT

Since Monday I have been at Zimanga Private Game Reserve as a photographic volunteer with Wildlife ACT.  The primary focus on this reserve is monitoring and tracking wild dog and cheetah.  While the cheetah has remained elusive thus far, I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the pack of six wild dogs.  I’m having a brilliant time.  As it is very soon time for the afternoon monitoring session, this post will be brief; I wanted the chance though to share a few photos from the past days, as a hint of what is to come.

A bull elephant heading straight towards us on the road, while we drove in reverse!  He was completely cool with our presence, but was also on a mission along that road, so we had to get out of his way. 1/320sec, f8.0, ISO 200
A bull elephant heading straight towards us on the road, while we drove in reverse! He was completely cool with our presence, but was also on a mission along that road, so we had to get out of his way.
1/320sec, f8.0, ISO 200
A juvenile brown snake eagle. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 200
A juvenile brown snake eagle.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 200
A member of the wild dog pack eyes us; we woke them from their afternoon nap. 1/160sec, f9.0, ISO 200
A member of the wild dog pack eyes us; we woke them from their afternoon nap.
1/160sec, f9.0, ISO 200
A pair of waterbuck, moments before they bolted for safety away from our gaze. 1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 1000
A pair of waterbuck, moments before they bolted for safety away from our gaze.
1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 1000
A giraffe in front of a jacaranda tree. 1/640sec, f10, ISO 400
A giraffe in front of a jacaranda tree.
1/640sec, f10, ISO 400

 

http://zimanga.com

http://wildlifeact.com

Safari Sunset

Safari Sunset

I set this photo as my desktop wallpaper a couple days ago, and that seems as good a reason as any to share it. This was taken on our first game drive at Londolozi.

1/800sec, f4.5, ISO100, April 2, 2013

Leopard

Leopard

Another photo from the vault. The direction of the sunlight made the original black and white conversion I did in Lightroom look washed out. I re-edited this with Silver Efex pro, and the harsh highlights have been minimized without losing detail.

Zebra

The weather on the weekend was not conducive to having my camera out, and none of my indoor projects have inspired me this week.  So, I decide instead to experiment with new software on a photo I have worked on before.

I've edited this photo a few times, but recently purchased Silver Efex and wanted to see the difference in using that compared to Lightroom for a B&W conversion.  I am very happy with the results.
I’ve edited this photo a few times, but recently purchased Silver Efex and wanted to see the difference in using that compared to Lightroom for a B&W conversion. I am very happy with the results.

Birds in flight

I’ve not been having much success in crafting regular posts these days.  I had planned on dedicating a post to birds in flight, but many of the photos I thought I would use do not look as crisp as I would like, and are now in the reject pile.  Besides, it seemed a bit discriminatory towards those birds I have had the pleasure photographing that do not have the gift of flight.

So instead I’ve put together a rather random selection of birds to feature this week, and fingers crossed I will have both the time and inspiration for something more next week.

So without further ado…

A vulture coming in to land, South Africa, April 2013
A vulture coming in to land, South Africa, April 2013
Cormorant in flight over the Chobe River in Botswana, April 2013
Cormorant in flight over the Chobe River in Botswana, April 2013
A penguin at Boulder Beach, near Cape Town, April 2013
A penguin at Boulder Beach, near Cape Town, April 2013
A group of bee-eaters along the Chobe River in Botswana, April 2013
A group of bee-eaters along the Chobe River in Botswana, April 2013
I have no idea what type of bird this is!  The photo was taken in January 2011 while on a Caribbean cruise.  Several of these birds flew next to the ship for hours at a time.
I have no idea what type of bird this is! The photo was taken in January 2011 while on a Caribbean cruise. Several of these birds flew next to the ship for hours at a time.
An ostrich near the Cape of Good Hope, April 2013
An ostrich near the Cape of Good Hope, April 2013
Egyptian Geese at the Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, April 2013
Egyptian Geese at the Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, April 2013

 

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