Cape Peninsula, Timbavati and Sabi Sand in May

[FlyTraveler]

I waited for the report to be finished before I started reading. Not sure why, but since you went to places I went to as well (well, we did not chose Motswari, but next door's Simbavati River Lodge), I think my goal was to get an incredible safari-fix from your TR.

 

Mission accomplished! What a ride! With vomiting lions and mating leopards, haha!

 

Thanks @@Jochen! I have studied your S. Africa reports (and not only them). I remember you posting a very useful map with traversing rights of the private reserves around Kruger NP, I believe it was on the report of @@Terry. I and my wife really liked Motswari, the lodge kind of has the atmosphere of a tented camp. You may want to give it a try next time you visit this region.

Edited July 22, 2014 by FlyTraveler

[Jochen]

I will! I'll be there again in September, this time checking new lodges; nDzuti and also a quick visit to Baobab Ridge.

[johnkok]

 

Enjoyed reading your TR. I was in Ngala, adjoining Timbavati at the end of June and also had a sighting of the tailess lioness.

 

Thanks @@johnkok! I believe that we passed around Ngala while on a game drive (not sure if the traversing rights allowed that). I enjoy your photography very much. Do you have a report with photos from this trip?

 

 

@@FlyTraveler

 

I have a huge photo backlog. I shoot in RAW (NEF) and it takes me an age to review, cull, annotate, process and curate. Then there is the small matter of earning the bucks to afford me my toys and my safaris. Then there is also that battle I lose with procrastination :-)

[FlyTraveler]

 

 

Enjoyed reading your TR. I was in Ngala, adjoining Timbavati at the end of June and also had a sighting of the tailess lioness.

 

Thanks @@johnkok! I believe that we passed around Ngala while on a game drive (not sure if the traversing rights allowed that). I enjoy your photography very much. Do you have a report with photos from this trip?

 

 

@@FlyTraveler

 

I have a huge photo backlog. I shoot in RAW (NEF) and it takes me an age to review, cull, annotate, process and curate. Then there is the small matter of earning the bucks to afford me my toys and my safaris. Then there is also that battle I lose with procrastination :-)

 

 

At your convenience @@johnkok Looking forward to seeing the TR whenever you find time to put it together!

[FlyTraveler]

Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand. Night game drive. May 24, 2014

 

 

While posting on the report of @@COSMIC RHINO regarding Elephant Plains Game Lodge in Sabi Sand GR, I went through my own report and realized that I have missed to publish photos from the "Leopard eating Serval" scene. Not that we could recognize the body of the serval, but we were told so by the guide from the vehicle which was there before us and most likely radioed our guide about the sighting.

 

It was during the night drive of our last full day there (our second day) and the young leopard was illuminated by the spotlights of at least two-three trackers (we were the third vehicle which arrived at the sighting. At least one of the other two vehicles was also from the EP.

So, here are the images that I have forgotten to post - all photos have been taken with handheld camera with flash off:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All we could see from the pray was the small size of it and we had to take the word of one of the other guides that it has been a serval:

 

 

 

 

We were there for a good 20 minutes, I remember that my arm hurt from keeping the camera up and ready to fire for such a long time. Finally the leopard finished the feast and disappeared in the bush:

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

Elephant Plains Game Lodge, Sabi Sand. Night game drive. May 24, 2014

 

While posting on the report of @@COSMIC RHINO regarding Elephant Plains Game Lodge in Sabi Sand GR, I went through my own report and realized that I have missed to publish photos from the "Leopard eating Serval" scene. Not that we could recognize the body of the serval, but we were told so by the guide from the vehicle which was there before us and most likely radioed our guide about the sighting.

 

It was during the night drive of our last full day there (our second day) and the young leopard was illuminated by the spotlights of at least two-three trackers (we were the third vehicle which arrived at the sighting. At least one of the other two vehicles was also from the EP.

 

So, here are the images that I have forgotten to post - all photos have been taken with handheld camera with flash off:

 

All we could see from the pray was the small size of it and we had to take the word of one of the other guides that it has been a serval:

 

We were there for a good 20 minutes, I remember that my arm hurt from keeping the camera up and ready to fire for such a long time. Finally the leopard finished the feast and disappeared in the bush:

 

~ @@FlyTraveler

 

WOW! These night images are sensational!

It's so considerate of you to go back and find them, uploading them for us to enjoy.

As I previously wrote in @@COSMIC RHINO's thread about his Elephant Plains stay, I was quite surprised that you observed a leopard feasting on a serval.

You mention above that these fine images were made without flash. How was that accomplished?

I've never been on an evening game drive, so am unfamiliar with the logistics.

Was there a spotlight mounted on the vehicle?

In any case, these images are highly appreciated, showing what is seldom observed yet goes on every night.

Your care and patience in seeking and posting the images is truly nice.

Thank you.

Tom K.

[FlyTraveler]

 

You mention above that these fine images were made without flash. How was that accomplished?

I've never been on an evening game drive, so am unfamiliar with the logistics.

Was there a spotlight mounted on the vehicle?

 

Thanks for the good words, Tom!

 

In general I have a camera body with good low light capabilities - Nikon D700 - relatively low number of megapixels (12 MP) on a full frame large sensor. I've heard that the new ones (D800, 810) are even better, can not imagine what the pro-models (D4, D4S) and the Canon equivalents can do. The lens is an entry-level 70-300 mm. but I am using the in-lens stabilization. Two or three trackers illuminating the animal at the same time also helps. Last, but not least, I have not published the photos which came out too blurred. :)

 

During night drives in the private reserves next to Kruger NP, the trackers were illuminating the objects with a handheld spot lights. I have done night drives in Kwai Community Concession in Botswana where there wasn't any tracker or spotter in the vehicle and the guide had to drive and use the spotlight in the same time (which is a pain).

 

Have done night drives in two private concessions in Kenya (Selenkay and Ol Kinyei Conservancies), where the spotters used spotlights with a red filter in order not to disturb the animals. In Timbavati and Sabi Sand the guides said that not using the red filter is not a problem when illuminating animals with good night vision like leopards or lions.

 

Here is a photo taken at Ol Kinyei Conservancy, just north of Masai Mara GR. You can see the two spotlights with red filter and one without (trying not to illuminate directly the lion):

 

 

I guess that at certain point I will add quite a lot of photos to that Kenyan report, as well

[madaboutcheetah]

@@FlyTraveler - another awesome trip!!! No surprises - the Sabi Sands always delivers the promised Leopard sightings ..... If my Geography is correct - Elephant Plains is located in the Western Sector of the SSGR. I was at Exeter Dulini way back in 2006 (possibly same game drive area)........ Can certainly not complain about the game viewing there!!!

[Tom Kellie]

Thanks for the good words, Tom!

 

In general I have a camera body with good low light capabilities - Nikon D700 - relatively low number of megapixels (12 MP) on a full frame large sensor. I've heard that the new ones (D800, 810) are even better, can not imagine what the pro-models (D4, D4S) and the Canon equivalents can do. The lens is an entry-level 70-300 mm. but I am using the in-lens stabilization. Two or three trackers illuminating the animal at the same time also helps. Last, but not least, I have not published the photos which came out too blurred. :)

 

During night drives in the private reserves next to Kruger NP, the trackers were illuminating the objects with a handheld spot lights. I have done night drives in Kwai Community Concession in Botswana where there wasn't any tracker or spotter in the vehicle and the guide had to drive and use the spotlight in the same time (which is a pain).

 

Have done night drives in two private concessions in Kenya (Selenkay and Ol Kinyei Conservancies), where the spotters used spotlights with a red filter in order not to disturb the animals. In Timbavati and Sabi Sand the guides said that not using the red filter is not a problem when illuminating animals with good night vision like leopards or lions.

 

Here is a photo taken at Ol Kinyei Conservancy, just north of Masai Mara GR. You can see the two spotlights with red filter and one without (trying not to illuminate directly the lion):

 

I guess that at certain point I will add quite a lot of photos to that Kenyan report, as well

 

~ @@FlyTraveler

 

This is very helpful.

Never yet having been on a night game drive, I have little more than a patchy grasp of what such an experience might entail.

I've read references to night game drives in several Safaritalk trip reports, yet have remained ‘in the dark’ about the exact nature of such photography and observation.

Your explanation of how spotters employed spotlights — both with and without a red filter — is useful to know.

It sounds as though your camera and telephoto lens set-up performs well in such ultra-low light conditions.

My own camera gear may be similar — there's 18.1 MP on a full frame sensor. The 400mm f/2.8 lens I typically use is adequate for low light daytime photography and has performed well in twilight with no illumination, as long as the ISO is ramped up to fairly high settings.

Ha! I'm like you — most of my photos are blurred or have faulty lighting, hence ‘land on the cutting room floor’. I only upload the few keepers.

I have no idea what the experience in Sabi Sands will be like early next month. Will the Leopard Hills rangers drive a bit after dark? I don't know.

If that were to occur, I'll have your fine big cat images in mind as a benchmark towards which to aspire!

Many thanks for the night lion image and the extensive, detailed explanation.

Tom K.

[FlyTraveler]

 

My own camera gear may be similar — there's 18.1 MP on a full frame sensor. The 400mm f/2.8 lens I typically use is adequate for low light daytime photography and has performed well in twilight with no illumination, as long as the ISO is ramped up to fairly high settings.

I have no idea what the experience in Sabi Sands will be like early next month. Will the Leopard Hills rangers drive a bit after dark? I don't know.

 

No problem at all, Tom.

 

You should be able to do better than me with the f:2.8 lens.

 

I believe that the vehicles of all lodges in the private reserves next to Kruger NP continue the afternoon game drive after dark, but you'd better ask the lodge about that. As far, as I remember, Leopard Hills is an upscale lodge and the experience should be better than EP.

 

It will be different than your beloved Kenya (not as wild), but most likely you will see predators from a very close range. I did Timbavati and Sabi Sand after Kenya and liked them very much.

[Marks]

An excellent addendum to a fondly-remembered thread. Your last shot has captured the leopard in such a stately pose; your fatigued arm earned its keep.

The red filtered spotlights on the lion photo add an interesting ambience, too.

[Tom Kellie]

You should be able to do better than me with the f:2.8 lens.

I believe that the vehicles of all lodges in the private reserves next to Kruger NP continue the afternoon game drive after dark, but you'd better ask the lodge about that. As far, as I remember, Leopard Hills is an upscale lodge and the experience should be better than EP.

 

It will be different than your beloved Kenya (not as wild), but most likely you will see predators from a very close range. I did Timbavati and Sabi Sand after Kenya and liked them very much.

 

~ @@FlyTraveler

 

That's very useful to know.

This will be my first-ever stay at a destination lodge which also provides the game drives.

I'm unsure how it's arranged, thus am interested to know that Private reserves might continue game drives a bit after twilight's arrival.

You're right — I'm wondering how the upcoming experience will compare to Kenya, which has been consistently satisfactory, safari after safari.

I do appreciate the sheer untamed wildness on game drives. Yet if a few close encounters with predators occur, that might have its own appeal.

Thank you for telling this to me.

Tom K.

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

Looking at the Leopard Hills website, they say that they do continue the game drives after it gets dark - so get ready for your spotlit photos!

@FlyTraveler has exposed his pictures very well - it can be tricky at first. It is very easy to overexpose. (Very dark background compared to bright light on the subject)

I experimented quite a bit and now tend to set my camera to the "spot" reading and also set the camera to underexpose by up to one stop. Other more experienced "night drivers" and photographers may offer different advice. Try a range of settings and see what works. (And I have loads that didn't work )

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

Looking at the Leopard Hills website, they say that they do continue the game drives after it gets dark - so get ready for your spotlit photos!

@FlyTraveler has exposed his pictures very well - it can be tricky at first. It is very easy to overexpose. (Very dark background compared to bright light on the subject)

I experimented quite a bit and now tend to set my camera to the "spot" reading and also set the camera to underexpose by up to one stop. Other more experienced "night drivers" and photographers may offer different advice. Try a range of settings and see what works. (And I have loads that didn't work )

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

Oh my goodness!

That's sounds VERY interesting!

A technical question, if you don't mind.

What does it mean to set a camera to a “spot” reading?

That's an unfamiliar concept to me.

Tom K.

[TonyQ]

Hi @@Tom Kellie

 

My camera is a Canon. It has 4 exposure meter "modes" -i.e. different ways of measuring exposure.

These are Evaluative, Centre-weighted, Partial, and Spot metering

I usually use "evaluative" - the camera makes a judgement on the whole scene (but it can be fooled if part of the scene is very dark and part very light) - on some cameras it gives weight to which focus point you use

"Centre-weighted" gives more "weight" to what is towards the centre of the whole scene but still takes into account the rest of the scene

"Partial metering" judges exposure on the centre 10-15% of the viewfinder

"Spot" judges exposure on the centre c.5% of the viewfinder. (The danger is a small movement of the camera can move this spot from a patch of bright sun to a patch of dark shade, so suggested exposure can shift a lot -_

 

I almost always shoot in Aperture Priority; so I am in control of the Aperture (and depth of field) - but still keep an eye on the shutter speed . I can still use exposure compensation to adjust the exposure suggested to me by the camera. As I say, I often adjust the exposure by up to one stop "Under" when a spotlight is used, as in my experience, my camera tends to overexpose in this circumstance. I use the spot meter because it is taking a reading of the animal rather than the whole scene (the contrast between the animal and the black background is very high)

I set the ISO before starting the drive to 3200 and am ready to switch to 6400 (not good but some are useable!) I think you will get much better high ISO performance from your full frame camera than I will from my camera - and your f2.8 should be great in those circumstances.

 

The other tricky bit is that the animal's distance from the light has a big impact on exposure- and our eyes adjust so well it is easy not to notice this.

 

I know you use manual exposure, but I presume that the way the camera meters exposure would still be similar

I think the key is some trial and error, looking at what you have taken and adjusting. You could even go outside at home and experiment with a bright torch(flashlight) before your trip.

 

Does any of that make sense?

Edited September 5, 2015 by TonyQ

[xelas]

To add to above excellent explanation one more, very important step: move from JPEG to RAW!

 

Every RAW file by default has also a JPEG file embedded (that is what you are seeing on the LCD screen). By shooting RAW, you got two photos at once; at home you can extract easily JPEG from the RAW data, and use those as you are using a JPEG today. But when the photo is over or under exposed, or needs any kind of post processing, you have RAW data to work on.

 

For me, RAW + manual + AutoISO + Back button AF is the best combination for safari / wildlife photography (using Nikon gear).

 

@@Tom Kellie

after reading all 39 pages of your ongoing trip report, and seeing all those excellent photos attached, just stick to whatever you are comfortable with so far, on your upcoming trip!

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie

after reading all 39 pages of your ongoing trip report, and seeing all those excellent photos attached, just stick to whatever you are comfortable with so far, on your upcoming trip!

 

~ @@xelas

 

Thank you so much for your kind recommendation.

I'm mulling over all that I've read on Safaritalk lately, pondering what might be tweaked about my own safari photography.

I truly wish that my photos measured up. This afternoon I browsed a number of older Safaritalk trip reports and was ASTONISHED at the consistent quality of the photography and of the sightings.

By comparison, my efforts are as if taking mobile phone snapshots in a children's zoo!

Ha! That indicates that there's much room to improve, hence all kind suggestions are appreciated.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Hi @@Tom Kellie

 

My camera is a Canon. It has 4 exposure meter "modes" -i.e. different ways of measuring exposure.

These are Evaluative, Centre-weighted, Partial, and Spot metering

I usually use "evaluative" - the camera makes a judgement on the whole scene (but it can be fooled if part of the scene is very dark and part very light) - on some cameras it gives weight to which focus point you use

"Centre-weighted" gives more "weight" to what is towards the centre of the whole scene but still takes into account the rest of the scene

"Partial metering" judges exposure on the centre 10-15% of the viewfinder

"Spot" judges exposure on the centre c.5% of the viewfinder. (The danger is a small movement of the camera can move this spot from a patch of bright sun to a patch of dark shade, so suggested exposure can shift a lot -_

 

I almost always shoot in Aperture Priority; so I am in control of the Aperture (and depth of field) - but still keep an eye on the shutter speed . I can still use exposure compensation to adjust the exposure suggested to me by the camera. As I say, I often adjust the exposure by up to one stop "Under" when a spotlight is used, as in my experience, my camera tends to overexpose in this circumstance. I use the spot meter because it is taking a reading of the animal rather than the whole scene (the contrast between the animal and the black background is very high)

I set the ISO before starting the drive to 3200 and am ready to switch to 6400 (not good but some are useable!) I think you will get much better high ISO performance from your full frame camera than I will from my camera - and your f2.8 should be great in those circumstances.

 

The other tricky bit is that the animal's distance from the light has a big impact on exposure- and our eyes adjust so well it is easy not to notice this.

 

I know you use manual exposure, but I presume that the way the camera meters exposure would still be similar

I think the key is some trial and error, looking at what you have taken and adjusting. You could even go outside at home and experiment with a bright torch(flashlight) before your trip.

 

Does any of that make sense?

 

 

~ @@TonyQ

 

Yours truly has been fumbling around with the camera, attempting to identify where the above exposure meter “modes” might be located.

The image above shows what was finally found. Does that look like what you're explaining?

I'm more or less able to follow what you've very comprehensively explained.

As you've noted, a bit of trial and error is called for.

In the morning I depart on a 3-day business trip to Shanghai. After returning, I'll experiment as you've outlined above.

I'm a snail, more than a terrapin — they're capable of rapidly scooting along — when it comes to grasping camera fundamentals.

Thus your explanation is of considerable value to me. I'm rather dull-witted about many subjects, including photography.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[TonyQ]

@@Tom Kellie

That is the selection you show on your camera!

I switch before a night drive and then forget about it (but remember to switch back at the end of the drive) (And remember it is dark on a night drive so difficult to see camera controls)

 

You are wrong about your photos - they are excellent - I am only suggesting what might be worth trying for a night drive. What you do on your safaris works well - and I think it is really important not to worry about your camera and camera settings when out with wildlife. We are there to enjoy watching the wildlife and to appreciate the environment. I think it is really important not to let the camera get in the way of that. If you are worrying about settings you are not familiar with it will impact on your enjoyment and you are more likely to miss a shot.

 

As @@xelas says - stick to what you are comfortable with when on safari. You can always experiment when not on safari

Edited September 5, 2015 by TonyQ

[xelas]

@@Tom Kellie

 

There is always so much room to improve, for any person, in so many departments. For example, I would gladly exchange all my (and my wife's) knowledge about photography for only a quarter of your knowledge about nature!!

 

Your photos are most definitively not as taking a mobile phone into the zoo! In fact they are all very good ones. You make good use of your 400 f2.8, and also your wide angle Sony RX1 photos are excellent. That "wow" or "pop-out" factor that is (to your eyes) missing is most probably due to some post processing job done by those more experienced photographers out there. I wish myself to have been younger, and more adept to learn the skills of post processing.

 

As @@TonyQ mentioned above, do not let that "camera" ( = gear, technique, etc) get in a way between the subject (or object) and yourself. For me, a photo is only a tool, a crutch to assist my (now fading too quickly) memory to remember how to visualise the scenes I have been so lucky to enjoy them "live".

 

Also, for us readers, reading a trip report with photos that might not be the best out there, or have been made with not the best gear around, is much more enjoyable than not reading a trip report at all. There was a TR started not long ago, the gear used was top notch, the photos were promising, but ... after 2 pages the trip report stopped. Too much work with post processing? Not happy enough with final results?? Whichever the reason, the final result is ... I cannot enjoy in following it anymore. Too bad.

 

So, keep taking a lot of photos, and keep writing those fantastic long detailed trip reports! Goes also for all other members! I love you all, I would read all and every trip report here, just the time is a deterrent factor. As one member's footnote says, I (still) need to work to earn the money to travel.

[Peter Connan]

@@Tom Kellie, I add my vote to the sentiments expressed so eloquently by Tony and Alex above. You may not know this, but I am in regular contact with a couple of the best photographers here, and one thing they all have in common is that they all doubt the quality of their own photography.

 

While I certainly don't count myself this exalted group, I do recognize the symptoms. I have come to believe that firstly this is necessary for improvement, and secondly that (perhaps because we regularly look at our own photos at maximum zoom, but never get to see other people's photos at such magnifications),we tend to judge ourselves far to harshly.

[FlyTraveler]

To add to above excellent explanation one more, very important step: move from JPEG to RAW!

 

 

I am quite far away from serious photography, but I would support the statement of Alex regarding shooting RAW images. You will have plenty of room to correct exposure post factum, which does not underestimate at all the advices of @@TonyQ. Shooting RAW files does not require any knowledge or/and skill, just more storage, which is not a problem now days.

[FlyTraveler]

Since we started commenting technical aspects of photography, I will ask a question, which I will probably post in the Photography section, as well (just to make sure that more Safaritalk members will see it.

 

I would like to hear your opinion regarding the correlation between using in-lens image stabilization (VR for Nikon, I believe it is IS for Canon) and the shutter speed settings.

I noticed that my images taken during this safari trip (Timbavati, Sabi Sand, Moremi and Khwai) are kind of sharper than the photos that I took in Ruaha NP (using the same body and lens), despite of the fact that here I've been shooting without any support (handheld camera all the time) due to open vehicles and in Ruaha I used a beanbag which I would place either on the window frame or on the roof of the Land Rover.

Both times I used stabilization (VR), but in Ruaha I was so anxious about getting sharper images, that I used also very high shutter speed - up to 1/2500 of a second, while on this trip I have not used higher than 1/400-1/500 of a second, even lower in most cases.

I was wondering why this is happening and then read the website of @@Soukous, where he is explaining his view that with stabilization on, shutter speeds over 1/500 of a second are counterproductive. On top of that there seems to be a conflict between in-lens stabilization and supporting the lens (tripod, beanbag etc.)

What is your opinion on this issue? I realize that there are many other factors that are more important for the sharpness of the images, but still...

@@Peter Connan, @@xelas, anyone else, the pro photographers?

Edited September 5, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[Peter Connan]

@@FlyTraveler, I agree with @@Soukous on this, with a slight modification: I will use it up to a shutter speed equivalent to 1/effective focal length.

 

Additionally, I find it important to get the VR spooled up before a photo is taken. I have also found that using VR from a moving vehicle is not always successful.

 

VR/IS is a valuable tool, but in my opinion it should be used only when needed.

Edited September 5, 2015 by Peter Connan

[FlyTraveler]

@@FlyTraveler, I agree with @@Soukous on this, with a slight modification: I will use it up to a shutter speed equivalent to 1/effective focal length.

 

Additionally, I find it important to get the VR spooled up before a photo is taken. I have also found that using VR from a moving vehicle is not always successful.

 

VR/IS is a valuable tool, but in my opinion it should be used only when needed.

 

Thanks for the quick response @@Peter Connan!