Jennifer Sawicky Photography

June 26, 2019

2019-06-26: Wordless Wednesday

June 24, 2019

2019-06-24: Monochrome Monday

There is definitely more to see in South Africa than just wild animals on safari. On some previous trips, I had the pleasure of spending time in Cape Town. On this trip, I got to do a day trip of the Panorama Route. Here are a few images showing some of the beautiful scenery in the area.

DSCF0030 — One of several waterfalls that I saw; this one is called Lisbon Falls.

DSCF0107 — The three rondavels under broody skies.

DSCF0113 — Some smaller waterfalls at The Potholes.

June 23, 2019

2019-06-23: Mamas and babies in the bush

I was fortunate to see lots of youngsters during my latest travels. While the young elephants are definitely my favourite to watch, especially when they start waving their tiny trunks around trying to act tough, all the young animals in the bush are a delight to see.

Here are just a few of the sightings that I had.

DSCF2273 copy — A giraffe calf having a late afternoon milk break.

DSCF3002 — We spent some time with this pair of rhinos while they grazed away the early morning. Here the young one had just turned to look as another vehicle was heading in to take over our viewing position. Moments later, the head was back down and he was happily munching on the grass again.

XT3X2902 — A pair of lion cubs suckling.

XT3X3869 copy-Edit — A young leopard doing a very accurate impression of a sulky teenager.

June 19, 2019

2019-06-19: Wordless Wednesday

20190619_WW

June 17, 2019

2019-06-17: Monochrome Monday

I had some good opportunities during my travels for some animal portraits. Here are the first couple that I have worked through, just in time for monochrome Monday.

Have a great week everyone!

Pensive Cheetah — I only had one cheetah sighting during my past trip, and it was an interesting one. We had the opportunity to watch this female try to get close enough to a group of impala to begin to hunt, but her cover was blown.

Leopard Portrait — One of the many leopards that I was lucky enough to view this past trip.

Lion Portrait copy — A side view of a lioness.

Did you know you can find these images, and other like them, in my gallery? You can see an evolving collection of my favourite images there, and even order a print or two if you choose.

June 16, 2019

2091-06-16: Rhinos

It’s Father’s Day today, and as my Dad is always really excited for the opportunity to see rhinos, I decided that would be a good topic for my post today.

I was incredibly fortunate to see rhinos most days on my past trip, and lots of youngsters included in the sightings. They are still a species under tremendous threat, but it is heart warming to see them peacefully going about their lives, unaware of all people who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to try and keep them safe.

I have been on properties that have dehorned all of the rhino, and on properties where they have been left intact, and horn or not, they are magnificent creatures.

I hope you enjoy my selections for the day, and wish everyone a fantastic week ahead.

DSCF0484 — One of the many rhino youngsters seen while travelling; this one keeping an eye on us while Mom grazes.

DSCF1070 — A rhino cow and her calf. This was actually one of my sightings where I saw two of the “big five” at one time. This pair was watching a buffalo bull ambling past.

DSCF1349 — Like elephants, I think rhinos are wonderful subjects for black and white images. The details of their thick, textured skin really stand out in monochrome.

DSCF2390 — Sporting a thick coating of mud to protect from the sun and to dislodge parasites.

DSCF3754 — We were looking for the tracks of lions when we drove up to a small waterhole and found at least eight rhino having an afternoon gathering. They quickly disbursed into the bushes; I am still amazed at the opportunity to see so many of these animals all at once. Previously, the most I had seen at once was three.

DSCF4044 copy-Edit — A pair of rhino moving through the bushes, grazing along the way.

DSCF4883 copy-Edit — A pair of rhino grazing as the sun began to set.

June 12, 2019

2019-06-11: Wordless Wednesday

June 10, 2019

2019-06-10: Monotone Monday

I switched it up a little this week (monotone, instead of monochrome) as I really liked the natural blue colour that this image had.

While out on a morning game drive on from Lion Sands Tinga Lodge, we came across a baboon troop that was just starting to stir in the treetops. Some youngsters had begun to play, and a few members were already on the ground. They were in a large tree at the edge of the river, so even though sunrise was only minutes away, it was still rather dark.

This mother and her infant caught my eye, nestled into the fork of the tree; just a simple moment, but one I was glad I could capture, and remember again.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.

June 9, 2019

2019-06-09: Kudu

When I am out on safari, I like to ask the rangers and trackers what their favourite animal is to watch, or what they would like to see while out on a game drive. Usually, the answer is one of the larger predators, or elephants. But I had a first with our last guide, Harley, while staying at Chitwa Chitwa. His favourite animal is the kudu.

Kudu are a truly impressive animal, especially the males with their huge spiralling horns. They have enormous ears that rotate around like satellite dishes, to aid them in picking up sounds while they are in amongst the trees.

Here are a few kudu images for today. It seemed as good a topic as any!

If you’d like to learn a bit more about kudu, here is the Wiki page for them:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudu

20190603_MM copy1 — A classic model pose!

20190603_MM copy2 — A trio of kudu leave the Chitwa Chitwa dam under the midday sun.

20190603_MM copy3 — A kudu bull heads back into the relative safety of the tree cover.

20190603_MM — A kudu cow just before she ducked deeper into the bushes. Getting an unobstructed view of these animals is definitely a challenge.

June 3, 2019June 2, 2019

2019-06-03: Monochrome Monday

I’ve just got a single image today as I try to ease my way back into editing, posting etc. etc. after holidays.

I took along my tripod and my new infrared filter, and played around a bit during the down time in the middle of the day. This was taken from the back deck of my room at Lion Sands River Lodge. There were often nyalas grazing in the tall grass, but here, just a few trees and the river in the background.

Have a great week everyone!