Posts Tagged ‘botswana’
With the recent changes I’ve made to my website and blog, I thought it was time to reorganise some of my earlier content which kind of got lost along the way. This post was originally published just over 2 years ago (apologies to long time readers who’ve seen it before) By reposting within the new [...]
Looking back to my trip to the Okavango Delta last year and recalling this sunset over water image that I got. Canon 5D with 24-105mm zoom at 24mm F13, shutter speed 1/160 second at ISO 200. Prior to commencing this blog using the wordpress system, I maintained a blog on Windows Live Spaces. WLS created [...]
The Pied Kingfisher is a common species in the delta and can often be seen (but rarely photographed well) hovering over waterways. From the balcony of my lodgings, overlooking the Savuti Channel, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, I photographed this bird as he alighted, with his prize, on a fallen tree branch at the waters edge. [...]
The glossy starling is a very common sight in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. This particular bird was photographed from the balcony of my lodgings. In full sunlight the bird has iridescent blue-green colouring to its feathers, the colours seem to change dependant on the angle of the sun. In this case the bird was [...]
A common sight in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana, the Vervet Monkey. These monkeys could be seen both in the trees and also feeding on the ground as well. Curious and opportunistic, they sometimes would hang around camp ready to steal any food that was left unattended. Vervet Monkey sitting on log, Okavango Delta, [...]
One of the interesting things we observed during my 2009 trip to Botswana was a pride of sub adult lions on a freshly killed giraffe. Our guide had tracked the lions through the bush to the kill location. He estimated that the kill had been made probably 15 minutes or so before our finding it. I prepared [...]
Late afternoon in the Okavango Delta, Botswana and a pair of cheetahs are on patrol, walking slowly through the grass stopping whenever they get to a tree or shrub to scent mark it. Backlit Cheetahs, Okavango Delta. Canon 5D Mark 2 with 500mm lens at F7.1, shutter speed 1/500 second at ISO 400.
From the Botswana files, whilst wildlife itself is of interest, sometimes I think an image can work without showing the wildlife but by showing evidence of its presence. And so to this image, the elephant tracks can be seen entering the water and if you look closely can be seen exiting the water on the far [...]
Late afternoon and an African Fishing Eagle is perched on a branch overlooking the waters of the Okavango Delta. During my Botswana trip in mid 2009, I observed this species several times but always from a distance hence the necessity for the long lens. Canon 5D mark 2 with 500mm lens at F6.3, shutter speed [...]
From the Botswana files, barely a ripple on the water and so an almost mirror like reflection. Canon 5D with 24-105mm zoom at 24mm and F14, shutter speed 1/160 second at ISO 200.
During the course of a photographic workshop/safari in Botswana in July-August, 2009, I was fortunate enough to observe and photograph members of an African wild dog pack. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is a threatened species and opportunities to see and photograph them in the wild are rare. These pictures were taken at [...]
Canon 5D Mark 2 with 500mm lens at F6.3, shutter speed 1/2500 second at ISO 640. The little bee-eater, pictured in the Okavango Delta region, Botswana. This species was a common sight and would flit from one perch to another as we observed it. In the event that I missed a shot, it was often [...]
From the Botswana files, finishing off the elephant shots for now. Late afternoon at Chitabe in the Okavango Delta and a baby elephant adorns itself with some twigs. There doesn’t seem to be any other reason for this behaviour than because it’s fun! Fascinating animals elephants, intelligent, sociable, curious. For those who want to see [...]
Another shot from the Botswana series showing the value of adopting, where possible, a low viewpoint. Early morning light and the framing flexibility of a zoom lens helped. Canon 5D with 70-300mm zoom at 135mm F5.0, shutter speed 1/800 second at ISO 640.
From the Botswana files, late in the afternoon we spent some quality time with this lone bull elephant. I understand that elephants can get to 6.5 tons in weight, this magnificent fellow must have been close to that, I think he was the largest bull we saw. Notice the fluid issuing from the glands at [...]
One of the recurring themes during my Botswana trip was the interaction between elephants. We saw large herds of these majestic animals and had wonderful opportunities to observe their behaviour. The bulls can weigh as much as six and a half tons each and we saw several that were in “must”. This is a hormonal [...]
Another shot from the Botswana files, I believe this is Verreaux’s Eagle Owl – Bubo Lacteus, also known as the Giant Eagle Owl. If this is not correct, please someone let me know so I can change it! Early morning we were out in four wheel drive vehicles in the Okavango Delta when we sighted [...]
Photographed as it was drying its wings in a tree, cormorants are a common sight in the Okavango Delta region. Canon 5D Mark 2 with 500mm lens at F6.3.
From the Botswana files, early morning and a young male leopard emerges from a thicket and walks into view in the Okavango Delta region. His feet wet and muddy from walking through sodden ground, and bearing puncture marks to his neck and chest, inflicted during a recent fight, probably with another cat, the wounded leopard [...]
From the Botswana file, 2 very different views of palm trees in the Okavango Delta region. Why 2 different shots? Well firstly, I’ve been a bit slack with my postings lately, so I thought I could suck up to my readership by offering a 2 for the price of 1 deal. (and with the price [...]
Another shot from the Botswana file, an egret in flight over the Okavango Delta. Canon 5D with 70-300mm DO zoom at F7.1, shutter speed 1/1600 second at ISO 640.
A group, or is that a “herd”, of hippopotamus sighted in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The image was taken from a helicopter in July, 2009, using Canon’s 70-300mm DO (Defractive Optics) zoom lens. Canon 5D with 70-300mm zoom at 100mm and F5.6. Shutter speed 1/1000 second at ISO 1000.
A shot taken in Botswana mid 2009. Flying over the Okavango Delta in a helicopter, I observed this egret as it took to the air, and managed to get a pleasing shot. The helicopter had the side doors removed so there was no issue with shooting through glass with the problem of glare and reflections [...]