Share your latest sightings...

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

[Peter Connan]

Thanks @Tom Kellie.

Once again, the importance of full context is illustrated. The presence of backup for the Buffalo could require a different interpretation to this event.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Male Ceratotherium simum Visage

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 9:14 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning overcast light

 

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~ Driving along on a track away from the previous sighting a familiar face came trotting along, pausing to graze near us.

 

Such a noble visage, with a grandeur all its own, displaying evolution's whimsy and unfettered creativity.

 

[Geoff]

@Tom KellieYour 'Male Ceratotherium simum Viasge' is a lovely image, nice composition. I'd wish for better light but you take what you can get on safari.

Putting my human emotions to work the rhino looks sad, maybe because he's been dehorned.

 

When you state ~ 'Manual Shooting Mode' do you mean Manual Exposure?

[Tom Kellie]

~ @Geoff: Thank you for your generous comments.

 

The unretouched image was made on an overcast Winter morning. It was unexpectedly satisfying to obtain a usable image.

 

******

 

The camera was purchased in East Asia and came with a Chinese manual...no English.

 

Manual Shooting Mode is my translation of 手动拍摄模式 in the manual. Best I'm able to do as I'm not a linguist.

 

******

 

To have been so near, in a remote, almost silent setting, was a precious moment. 

 

That image brings back the transitory sensation of having momentarily been in the presence of something wondrous.

 

******

 

Having admired your recent images of wild dogs, I only hope to approach such excellence of technique and inspiration.

 

         Tom K.

Edited November 21, 2024 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

7 minutes ago, Tom Kellie said:

 

 

Edited November 21, 2024 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

 

Papio ursinus Trio

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 1:33 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/400 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode while standing on the porch of a hillside tent

 

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~ After the morning game drive, I was resting on the porch when nyala, vervet, and baboon visitors arrived below, feasting and quenching their thirst.

 

While few of the visitors evinced much interest in the camera lens, this trio remained fascinated by the large dark circle, despite the lack of any motion.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Papio ursinus Gaze

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 1:34 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/400 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode while standing on the porch of a hillside tent

 

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~ The Papio ursinus in Manyeleti keep their distance. Fraternization with short-term visitors isn't encouraged by adults who remain prudently aloof.

 

Therefore the fairly close approach of this baboon was a welcome surprise. The large camera lens seemed to have little effect, hence this portrait.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

 Adult Male Nyala Colors

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 1:38 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/400 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode while standing on the porch of a hillside tent

 

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~ The seemingly silent emergence of a Tragelaphus angasii herd in the middle of Ndzhaka Camp was both subtle and unmistakable.

 

This male came nearest to my tent, fully aware of my presence, yet nonchalantly proceeding to vigorously rub his horns against a small tree.

 

Edited November 23, 2024 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

 

Dainty Stepper

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 1:39 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/400 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode while standing on the porch of a hillside tent

 

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~ In keeping with the moderate boldness of the other male Tragelaphus angasii this young male passed in front of the small porch of my tent.

 

His carefully precise movement combined grace and exquisite dexterity, as if a Lipizzaner in Vienna's Spanish Riding School.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Calf with Mother

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 1:48 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 800, f/6.3, 1/400 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode while standing on the porch of a hillside tent

 

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~ This mother Tragelaphus angasii was the epitome of caution, alert to any possible danger while gradually moving her calf towards a small waterhole.

 

The calf followed her example with frequent upward glances before resuming gentle grazing while baboons sought roots in the surrounding clearing.

 

[TonyQ]

Nyala are really beautiful animals 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Necrosytes monachus on African Buffalo Remains

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 4:04 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/1250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ Heading out for the afternoon game drive a pair of Necrosytes monachus were spotted next to the track, perched on week-old African Buffalo remains..

 

They were so intent on their task that our presence seemed to have little effect. Their deliberate movement on the remains demonstrated careful consideration.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Elanus caeruleus Hovering

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 4:44 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1250, f/3.5, 1/8000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ As the attention had been on late afternoon sun-rays against clouds the hovering of this Black-winged Kite was nearly overlooked.

 

The intensity of its downward gaze was matched by the exquisitely subtle wing motion which maintained its position overhead.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Éléphant Gros Plan

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 4:47 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1250, f/4, 1/250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light

 

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~ When the safari vehicle quietly stopped, we watched as browsing elephants moved past, including one at rather short range.

 

With focussed attention on the plants, the elephants were aware of our presence without evincing any sense of alarm or discomfort.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Deux Girafes

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 4:59 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1250, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in late afternoon light

 

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~ Three giraffes were paused in the track as a full safari vehicle was parked crosswise, limiting their options of passing from one small grove to another.

 

With practiced nonchalance they looked down at the opposing vehicles. Their insouciance expressed a certain knowingness and a lightness of touch.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Sage Thoughts

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 5:26 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/125 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early evening light

 

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~ A pride was spread out over a clearing, seemingly relaxed and nonchalant. This male stretched, gazed about, until satisfied that all was satisfactory.

 

He repositioned himself nearer to the parked safari vehicle, yet never directly looked at us. His awareness was such that no searching perusal was needed.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Who Says Lions Never Grin?

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 5:19 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early evening light

 

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~ My field ecology graduate students were frequently admonished to never slip into anthropomorphic interpretations of observed behavior.

 

Having stipulated that sound tenet, it's rather tempting to attribute expressions like that above as originating from comparable human motivations.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Caprimulgus pectoralis

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 6:29 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 8000, f/2.8, 1/250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in artificial light

 

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~ As often as I'd seen nightjars while out on game drives, there had never been any occasion where a reasonably clear image might have been made.

 

Ronny stopped the vehicle, backing up in order to facilitate photography of a Fiery-necked Nightjar. The plumage was the epitome of cryptic coloration.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Glaucidium capense

 

 

Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 6:45 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 10,000, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode at night standing outside the camp dining area

 

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~ One year previously in the same camp I'd photographed Glaucidium capense in the early afternoon. That image was satisfactory but lacked any strong contrast.

 

Upon returning to the camp for dinner, one staff member quietly beckoned me, asking that the camera be brought. The small owl was perched at eye level.

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ I've been asked if a flash attachment was used to make the above image of Glaucidium capense.

 

No. I don't own any flash equipment.

 

The light was a torch held by the staff member, pointed toward the owlet.

 

The elderly gentleman told me that there were, in fact, several owlets who regularly visited the immense jackalberry tree branches outside of the dining area.

 

Although I assured him that the camera could capture a usable image without use of his torch (there was an outdoor security light), he smiled and continued to shine it toward the owlet.

 

To spare the bird and return to dinner, and allow the owlet to hunt for its dinner, I thanked the gentleman and went inside.

 

On safari, ethical consideration of the needs of wild creatures so often leads to unexpected quandaries.

 

A former graduate student, seeing the image last evening, asked me if the eyes were truly that vivid.

 

They were...

 

                         Tom K.

[KiwiGran]

What a stunning photo @Tom KellieIt brings back a memory of photographing a Scops owl at Buffelshoek. Excitement levels must be high now with your departure imminent. All the best for some more wonderful safari moments.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Seated in Buffelshoek Camp, Manyeleti Game Reserve, South Africa, 2025

 

~ Late last evening I returned home to West Texas and the warm enthusiasm of Diji, my ever-affectionate and loving Pekingese.

 

All aspects of this 16th safari exceeded expectations, including flights, food, and weather.

 

Multiple sightings of most major game species, including Leopards, Cheetahs, Rhinos (great numbers), Lions, African Buffalo, Elephants.

 

Quite a few animal babies, including predator cubs, affording winsome glimpses of nature's renewal.

 

Quite a variety of bird species, both resident and migratory, as well as wildflowers in profusion.

 

Yesterday morning in Paris CDG Airport I enjoyed the finest quality breakfast of my life.

 

Many thanks are due to the respective staff of American Airlines, Air France, and CemAir for excellent passenger service.

 

Those who own, manage, and staff Ndzhaka Tented Camp and Buffelshoek Tented Camp once again earned my deepest appreciation.

 

On New Year's Day 2025 not only was the Big 5 seen, but a wealth of birds in a lovely Summer setting.

 

Fellow safari guests from the Netherlands, South Africa, and Germany enhanced the overall experience quality.

 

May all Safaritalk members who go out on safari in 2025 enjoy as much pleasure in game drives as I did.

 

         Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

 

Treron calvus

 

 

Taken on 1 January, 2025 at 7:21 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 8,000, f/22, 1/3200 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in clear morning light

 

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~ While waiting to move into position for a lion cub sighting, I noticed this green pigeon perched on a snag. The bird was in constant motion.

 

In six visits to South Africa, it was only the second occasion when I'd seen and photographed Treron calvus. A nice beginning for 2025.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Panthera leo Mother and Cub

 

 

Taken on 1 January, 2025 at 7:26 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 8,000, f/5, 1/2500 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in clear morning light under bushes

 

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~ Three cubs remained close to their mother while several other pride members rested around them. It was a tranquil scene with a calm atmosphere.

 

On the morning of New Year's Day, 2025 the sighting was heartening, with new life developing in a lovely setting in peaceful circumstances.