2015-09-021: Monochrome Monday

A gorgeous female leopard lounges on a fallen tree.  I love the positioning of her head and the curl of her tail.  I even like the harsh shadows, as it shows she was out and about long after leopard are usually tucked away for the day to beat the heat. 1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO 640  Monochrome conversion using Nik Silver Efex Pro
A gorgeous female leopard lounges on a fallen tree. I love the positioning of her head and the curl of her tail. I even like the harsh shadows, as it shows she was out and about long after leopards are usually tucked away for the day to beat the heat.
1/1600sec, f7.1, ISO 640
Monochrome conversion using Nik Silver Efex Pro

The Daily Post: From Every Angle

After seeing this challenge, I decided to go through the photos I took of fish eagles throughout my last trip to Southern Africa.  I saw them from a lot of different vantage points, including from above, which is a unique way to watch birds.

I hope you enjoy!

Looking into the river, looking for the next meal. 1/1000sec, f10, ISO 400
Looking into the river, looking for the next meal.
1/1000sec, f10, ISO 400
This juvenile fish eagle was perched in a tree across from my room.  The branches in the background are distracting, but I couldn't ask him to move, and I didn't want to spend ages photoshopping them out. 1/32sec, f5.6, ISO100
This juvenile fish eagle was perched in a tree across from my room. The branches in the background are distracting, but I couldn’t ask him to move, and I didn’t want to spend ages photoshopping them out.
1/32sec, f5.6, ISO100
The tilt of the head shows off the hooked book. 1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 100
The tilt of the head shows off the hooked book.
1/320sec, f5.6, ISO 100
An attempt at dinner as the light fades.  This time, he was unsuccessful. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 6400
An attempt at dinner as the light fades. This time, he was unsuccessful.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 6400
A view from behind.1/800sec, f7.1, ISO 800
A view from behind.1/800sec, f7.1, ISO 800
Watching a fish eagle fly from above, during a helicopter tour of the Okavango Delta. 1/1000sec, f9.0, ISO 900
Watching a fish eagle fly from above, during a helicopter tour of the Okavango Delta.
1/1000sec, f9.0, ISO 900
Capturing a fly by. 1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 160
Capturing a fly by.
1/250 sec, f5.6, ISO 160
A pair of fish eagle perch along the river. 1/200sec, f7.1, ISO 200
A pair of fish eagles perch along the river.
1/200sec, f7.1, ISO 200
Flying off into the sunset. 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 2200
Flying off into the sunset.
1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 2200

Daily Post Photo Challenge

The Sani Pass

Seeing photos of the Sani Pass between South Africa and Lesotho absolutely do not do it justice.  The area is absolutely beautiful, and the pass itself a narrow, unpaved road with sharp switchbacks and steep ascents and descents.  From the South African side, you can only proceed forward in a 4×4, but I don’t think the same rules apply from the Lesotho side!

Here are a few photos from my day trip this past April, and a few link if anyone is interested in seeing a dash cam video.

Table Mountain isn't the only flat topped mountain in South Africa.
Table Mountain isn’t the only flat topped mountain in South Africa.
The road on the way up.
The road on the way up.
One of several waterfall seen on the journey.  One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12" of water!
One of several waterfall seen on the journey. One of them ran right over the road, and we went through about 12″ of water!
I wish I recalled what type of antelope these are.  I hope a local stumbles across this post and will let me know.
I wish I recalled what type of antelope these are. I hope a local stumbles across this post and will let me know.
A pair of dassies sun themselves on a granite boulder.
A pair of dassies sun themselves on a granite boulder.
Beautiful hills - the scenery was just stunning.
Beautiful hills – the scenery was just stunning.
A traditional Lesotho herder's home.
A traditional Lesotho herder’s home.
Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa :)
Enjoyed a local beer at the highest pub in Africa 🙂
Shooting starts into the sun wasn't ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks.
Shooting starts into the sun wasn’t ideal, but it was the only way to capture the switchbacks.
A beautiful cape rock thrush was perched at the roadside; luckily towards the bottom where it was safe to stop for a couple photos.
A beautiful cape rock thrush was perched at the roadside; luckily towards the bottom where it was safe to stop for a couple photos.
A gurney's sugarbird
A gurney’s sugarbird

Youtube: Driving the Sani Pass

Weekly Challenge: Today Was a Good Day

The first thing I thought of when I saw this weeks photo challenge was seeing all of the big five in a single game drive.

It was our first game drive leaving from Chitwa Chitwa, and the first of the big five we came across were the elephants.  We ended up in fairly dense bush amongst a large herd, and I know some of the other people in the vehicle were a little nervous of the proximity!  At some points, we were completely surrounded by them (I was thrilled!!!)

A little too close for comfort for some of the people in our vehicle. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 1000, at 98mm.
A little too close for comfort for some of the people in our vehicle.
1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 1000, at 98mm.

The second we came across was the leopard.  She was only steps away after we started moving away from the elephants.  We followed her through the trees as well, and spent some time with her as she rested atop a termite mound.

A gorgeous leopard rests atop a termite mound. 1/400sec, f8.0, ISO 5600
A gorgeous leopard rests atop a termite mound.
1/400sec, f8.0, ISO 5600

We stopped for a sundowner drink and spotted a group of 3 rhino in a mud wallow off in the distance.  The light was fading, and the viewing was certainly better without the camera.

A crash of rhino enjoy an early evening mud wallow. 1/100sec, f4.8, ISO 6400
A crash of rhino enjoy an early evening mud wallow.
1/100sec, f4.8, ISO 6400

Just as we were getting back into the vehicle after our drinks and snacks, Surprise our ranger pointed out a couple buffalo crossing the road off in the distance.  The photo is awful, I knew it would be when I snapped it, but I thought I should take it as evidence of seeing 4 of the big 5 in a single drive.

Two buffalo cross the road, long after my camera was able to take a photo without a flash or spotlight!
Two buffalo cross the road, long after my camera was able to take a photo without a flash or spotlight!

As we were heading back to camp for dinner, we followed the tracks of some lions, and came upon them resting quite close to the camp.  And with that, it was the big 5 all within the space of 3.5 hours!  An absolutely amazing time.

A gorgeous lion rest in the early evening darkness.  A female was close by as well. 1/160sec, f6.3, ISO 6400
A gorgeous lion rest in the early evening darkness. A female was close by as well.
1/160sec, f6.3, ISO 6400

Of course, most people know by now that I am thrilled to view anything when on a game drive, from the smallest bird to the tallest giraffe and everything in between.  Here are a few other interesting sights from that drive.

A chameleon that our tracker spotted while we headed back to camp.  I don't think he was too thrilled with being pointed at, he has a rather sour look on his face.
A chameleon that our tracker spotted while we headed back to camp. I have no idea how they can see them in the pitch black from a moving vehicle, but it seemed to be a skill most of the trackers had!  I don’t think the chameleon was too thrilled with being pointed at, he has a rather sour look on his face.
A yellow billed hornbill perched at sunset (or as my Dad calls them, a flying banana).
A yellow billed hornbill perched at sunset (or as my Dad calls them, a flying banana).
A pair of white backed vulture perched in the fading light. 1/200sec, f5.6, ISO 1100
A pair of white backed vulture perched in the fading light.
1/200sec, f5.6, ISO 1100

Have a great day everyone!

Today Was a Good Day

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

A beautiful saddle-billed stork watches the Sand River. May, 2015. 1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 280
A beautiful saddle-billed stork watches the Sand River. May, 2015.
1/1000sec, f7.1, ISO 280
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