Wildlife – Page 78 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

August 23, 2015

Saddle-billed Stork

I just came across this photo of a saddle-billed stork, which I think is a stunning bird. I feel a bit mean now calling one of it’s relatives creepy (see this post if you missed it Photo Challenge: Creepy

August 20, 2015

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE 2015 WEEK #33

Everyone should have figured out by now – I absolutely love photographing African animals!

For the which way challenge this week, a selection of animals blocking the way.

A group of male nyala block the winding way forward. Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015. 1/160sec, f8.0, ISO 4500 — A group of male nyala block the winding way forward.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015.
1/160sec, f8.0, ISO 4500

A mom and three young cheetah cubs block the road (as does a zebra, farther off in the distance). Phinda Private Game, May 2015 1/250sec, f7.1, ISO 1000 — A mom and three young cheetah cubs block the road (as does a zebra, farther off in the distance).
Phinda Private Game, May 2015
1/250sec, f7.1, ISO 1000

A crash of rhino at a bend in the road. Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 640 — A crash of rhino at a bend in the road.
Phinda Private Game Reserve, May 2015
1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 640

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE

August 18, 2015

Travel Theme: Mellow

I did a quick scan through my last batch of travel photos to find a few mellow shots to share.

I hope you enjoy!

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-3 — A leopard rests peacefully in a tree top near Baines Camp in the Okavango Delta. 1/800sec, f9.0 ISO 640

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-4 — A lion cub chills out as dusk descends on Phinda Private Game Reserve. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600

20150818_Travel Theme- Mellow-5 — A group of cheetah cubs take a rest on the road after a hard days play. 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 1100

Travel Theme: Mellow

August 16, 2015

Photo Challenge: Creepy

I guess truth be told, I don’t find the maribou stork creepy per se. It’s more thinking back to kids stories about storks bringing home new babies. I can only imagine a small child seeing one of these birds after hearing one of those tales, and then spending time being terrified about what might actually show up at home.

Whether they are really creepy or not, here are a few photos of maribou storks, creeping through the Okavango Delta in search of dinner.

Certainly not the most attractive bird I've ever seen (but I don't think the ugliest either). — Certainly not the most attractive bird I’ve ever seen (but I don’t think the ugliest either).

A group of caribou storks patrol the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta.

One of the storks was successful on the hunt.

The Daily Post – Creepy

August 16, 2015

Red-breasted Sapsucker

A new visitor stopped by the yard this morning! I fired off quite a few shots from the porch, mostly so I could ID the bird, and then wandered closer. He or she didn’t mind my presence, and continued working up and down a couple of birch trees, picking off tiny insects. The red-breasted sapsuckers are a summertime visitor to my area, according to my bird app, so I am very grateful for the opportunity to view and photograph today.

I was glad I was able to move around the get the light in the right direction, and work towards an uncluttered background.

I love the out of focus soft green background, it really shows off the red feathers,

A chance to see the wings spread out, and the hint of yellow tones on the belly. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 640 — A chance to see the wings spread out, and the hint of yellow tones on the belly.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 640

Looking skywards. I love the detail that I was able to capture.

August 13, 2015

World Elephant Day

Anyone that has read more than a few of my blog posts knows that I love elephants. I could spend an entire day happily watching them; scratch that, I’m pretty sure if I saw them every day for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t grow bored of being around them. I find them fascinating, beautiful, amazing and peaceful creatures, and being in their presence, even just for a few moments, is a blessing.

Here’s just one of many, many photos I have, I hope you enjoy.

A breeding herd of elephants stops by the watering hole outside of the Chitwa Chitwa main lodge for an afternoon drink. 1/500sec, f11, ISO 1600 — A breeding herd of elephants stops by the watering hole outside of the Chitwa Chitwa main lodge for an afternoon drink.
1/500sec, f11, ISO 1600

August 13, 2015

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE 2015 WEEK #32

A group of zebras cross one of the tracks that criss cross portions of the Okavango Delta. April, 2015 1/800sec, f8.0, ISO 720 — A group of zebras cross one of the tracks that criss cross portions of the Okavango Delta.
April, 2015
1/800sec, f8.0, ISO 720

Zebras crossing the road

CEE’S WHICH WAY CHALLENGE 2015 WEEK #32

August 7, 2015

Travel Theme: Grey

Here are my photo’s for the travel theme- grey.

A pair of grey go away birds perched at the top of a tree, in lovely early morning light. 1/400sec, f7.1, ISO 100 — A pair of grey go away birds perched at the top of a tree, in lovely early morning light.
1/400sec, f7.1, ISO 100

A walk along the dikes on a typical January morning in Pitt Meadows. 1/50sec, f4.0, ISO 720 — A walk along the dikes on a typical January morning in Pitt Meadows.
1/50sec, f4.0, ISO 720

My very favourite type of grey! A group of elephants approach along the road at Phinda Game Reserve (we kept reversing to give them the room they needed). 1/640sec, f8.0, ISO 2800 — My very favourite type of grey! A group of elephants approach along the road at Phinda Game Reserve (we kept reversing to give them the room they needed).
1/640sec, f8.0, ISO 2800

Where’s my backpack?

August 6, 2015

CEE’S BLACK & WHITE PHOTO CHALLENGE: HANDS, FEET OR PAWS

A tiny baby elephant wraps his trunk around his mama's front leg while she has a quick rest at the side of the road (and shows off his little foot in the process). Phinda Private Game Reserve, April 2015 1/640sec, f9, ISO 4000 — A tiny baby elephant wraps his trunk around his mama’s front leg while she has a quick rest at the side of the road (and shows off his little foot in the process).
Phinda Private Game Reserve, April 2015
1/640sec, f9, ISO 4000

August 5, 2015

Lions at Night

During my last trip to South Africa, I was lucky enough to watch lions at night not just once, but on four separate occasions. I have wanted to post these photos for a while; originally I held off as I printed two of them as a gift, and didn’t want to run risk that they would be seen on screen before the prints showed up in person (they looked AMAZING, if I do say so myself). I’ve finally had the chance to work through all the photos I had hoped to edit. A few of them are also on my Smugmug site, links are provided for anyone interested.

I hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful evening.

A lioness passes incredibly close to the front of the landrover. Londolozi Game Reserve, May 2015 — A lioness passes incredibly close to the front of the landrover.
Londolozi Game Reserve, May 2015

Giving us a glimpse of her powerful teeth and jaws. Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015 — Giving us a glimpse of her powerful teeth and jaws.
Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015

What big teeth he has! Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015 — What big teeth he has!
Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015

20150805_Lions at night-8 — Such a beautiful cat. Phinda Game Reserve, April 2015

This lioness was obviously bored of all the attention she was getting. Phoned Game Reserve, April, 2015 — This lioness was obviously bored of all the attention she was getting.
Phinda Game Reserve, April, 2015

20150805_Lions at night-11 — Keeping a watchful eye out. Chitwa Chitwa, May 2015.