Share your latest sightings...

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

Two Coracias caudatus

 

 

Both taken on 29 June, 2023 at 9:46 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/4.4, 1/2500 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in regular morning light

 

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~ A pair of Coracias caudatus were perched on adjacent twigs, one covered with long acacia spines.

 

They faced away from one another, yet turned their gaze towards us. The plumage colors brought joy to my travel companions and to me.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Male Tragelaphus strepsiceros

 

 

Both taken on 29 June, 2023 at 7:31 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/4, 1/2500 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in regular morning light

 

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~ This male Tragelaphus strepsiceros afforded us ample time for portraiture, not exhibiting any signs of skittishness.

 

When he finally took off at a trot, his gait was rocking, with a pleasing motion that demonstrated his graceful strength.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Aepyceros melampus Portrait

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 7:54 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/5.6, 1/2000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in regular morning light

 

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~ This female Aepyceros melampus was uncharacteristically near, exhibiting demure self-confidence despite our proximity.

 

The graceful profile and subtly wary gaze were a lovely moment when life's cares briefly faded away into insignificance.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Sagittarius serpentarius in the Morning

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 8:06 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/5.6, 1/5000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in regular morning light

 

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~ Driving in tall grass in an obscure area we encountered a solitary Sagittarius serpentarius stalking prey in tall dry grass.

 

For my teaching assistant and his father it was one of the defining images of the safari in northeastern South Africa.

 

[KiwiGran]

Really enjoying seeing your photos Tom, they are bringing back wonderful memories. You had a much better view of the Secretary Bird than we did!

[Tom Kellie]

 

Let Sleeping Lions Lie

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 8:49 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/8, 1/5000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in regular morning light

 

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~ From time to time there are situations which suggest that no action is the best action.

 

This dozing lion was such an instance. Leaving him to his feline dreams seemed to be the course of choice.

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

Juvenile Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis in Flight

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 4:19 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/4.5, 1/1600 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in late afternoon light

 

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~ This young saddle-billed stork flew by on steady yet gracefully slow wing strokes, quietly passing by.

 

Beauty in South Africa takes a variety of forms, including the understated greys of a young stork in flight.

Edited May 11 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

 

Ceratotherium simum at a Waterhole

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 5:12 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/200 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early evening light

 

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~ Quiet, so silently the rhino arrived at the waterhole to quench its thirst. Not a sound in the still air.

 

Size and strength paired with simplicity of motion...vouchsafed such a special sighting, gratitude and awe.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Manyeleti Dawn

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 6:42 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 5000, f/8, 1/8000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early morning light

 

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~ Living near a star has its benefits, when early morning sunlight shows the warmest reds and oranges of the spectrum.

 

The final Buffelshoek game drive began with a glimpse of solar radiation through foliage and tree branches.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Kobus ellipsiprymnus  Male

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 7:34 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1000, f/2.8, 1/2500 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

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~ We stopped to admire a zebra herd. Two waterbuck were standing toward the back, alert to our presence.

 

Whether for form or function, the overall strength and grace of a waterbuck is a memorable sight on any game drive.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Male Aepyceros melampus

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 3:39 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/1000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ After relocating from Buffelshoek Camp to Ndzhaka Camp the first game drive covered fresh territory.

 

This male Aepyceros melampus was unexpectedly confiding, making possible a close range portrait.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Turdoides jardineii

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 4:43 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/5, 1/3200 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ The strident call of a Turdoides jardineii directed our attention away from the track into dense foliage.

 

Despite the reduced light of late afternoon, this Arrow-marked Babbler stood out as it hunted for and caught a green caterpillar.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Tockus leucomelas

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 4:55 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/4, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in late afternoon light

 

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~ This confident Tockus leucomelas flew up to perch on a snag beside the track just as we were passing by.

 

Almost as if posing for a portrait, it exhibited no obvious discomfort at our proximity and out-sized lenses.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Tracker at Work

 

 

Taken on 30 June, 2023 at 4:04 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/2000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ Pastor Ronny Nyathi was our guide and driver at both Buffelshoek and Ndzhaka Camps.

 

His careful observation of pugmarks on the dusty track revealed the presence of a male leopard.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Foggy Morning in Manyeleti

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 6:54 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/3.2, 1/3200 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early morning light

 

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~ The technical difficulty of making this image was due to the exceptionally high atmospheric moisture content fogging up the lens.

 

The scene we viewed from atop a mild ridge was the emergence of trees from a pervasive layer of chilly, dense fog.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Cisticola chiniana with a Dewy Spiderweb

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 7:16 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/5, 1/800 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early morning light

 

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~ When this Cisticola chiniana obligingly posed beside the dewy spiderweb it was well worth pausing the safari vehicle.

 

Experimenting with various camera and lens settings resulted in this portrait, only possible as the Cisticola never flew away.

 

[michael-ibk]

Lovely photos @Tom Kellie!

[Tom Kellie]

 

Lioness Fangs

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 8:12 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/8, 1/2000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

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~ We parked near a group of resting lions. This lioness strolled over next to the safari vehicle, almost too close to focus the lens.

 

She opened wide her jaws for a few seconds, making possible an image of her powerful fangs, fearsome in their structure.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Lion Eye

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 8:17 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1000, f/3.2, 1/2000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

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~ An older male lion has survived through having retained keen senses paired with sound judgment.

 

The acuity of the eye in the above image emphasized the necessity of ever being prepared for dangers and opportunities.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Quenching Morning's Thirst

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 9:20 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/4, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

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~ We'd paused for a mid-game drive break, parked beside a small waterhole. The atmosphere was quiet, without any action.

 

Hence it was quite a surprise when a solitary young elephant joined us, quenching thirst with numerous trunk-loads of water.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Chloropicus namaquus with Grub

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 11:30 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/4, 1/640 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode seated at an outdoor table in Ndzhaka Camp

 

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~ The steady rat-a-tat drumming of a woodpecker had the volume and intensity that indicated it was nearby.

 

This Bearded Woodpecker was diligently going around tree trunks growing beside the shaded outdoor deck.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Juvenile Dicrurus adsimilis

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 12:00 noon in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode seated at an outdoor table in Ndzhaka Camp

 

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~ For over one decade I'd struggled to make a decent portrait of widely observed Dicrurus adsimilis.

 

The years-long wait ended when this juvenile drongo perched on a twig directly in front of the lens.

 

[Peter Connan]

A lovely selection of photos from your trip to Manyeleti Tom! I can't believe it's been almost a year.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Glaucidium perlatum

 

 

Taken on 1 July, 2023 at 1:52 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode seated at an outdoor table in Ndzhaka Camp

 

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~ Seated at a shaded table on a deck the lens was focused on a bush where helmetshrikes had been feeding.

 

In direct line with the lens and in ideal focus Glaucidium perlatum abruptly popped up from below for a most unexpected portrait session.

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ 1 July, 2023 was my first full day at Ndzhaka Camp in Manyeleti Nature Reserve.

 

Between the morning and afternoon game drives I sat at the mahogany table on the deck overlooking the glade.

 

The camera and 400mm lens were with me as I quietly watched Nyala grazing below.

 

******

 

What’s striking are the bird sightings. Without any special effort, and never once leaving the seat, over a 2 hour period the following species were observed and photographed:

 

1.  Phoeniculus purpureus Green Wood Hoopoe

 

2.  Prionops retzii Retz’s Helmetshrike

 

3.  Chloropicus namaquus Bearded Woodpecker

 

4.  Melaniparus niger Southern Black Tit

 

5.  Dryoscopus cubla Black-backed Puffback

 

6.  Batis molitor Chinspot Batis

 

7.  Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo

 

8.  Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped Bulbul

 

9.  Lybius torquatus Black-collared Barbet

 

10.  Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture  (IUCN Critically Endangered Species)

 

11.  Glaucidium perlatum Pearl-spotted Owlet

 

12.  Prionops plumatus White-crested Helmetshrike

 

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To photograph such a variety of species while seated at one outdoor table over a two hour span is a special experience for a safari guest from overseas.

 

Ndzhaka Camp is a remarkable location for quiet oneness with nature. 

 

As the list above shows, it’s also prime territory for photographing less frequently observed bird species.

 

         Tom K.