South Africa – Page 42 – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

I had fun going through my archives for photos that would fit this challenge, as I was able to select ones that may not have ever been worked on otherwise.

I hope you enjoy, have a great evening.

A grey heron takes a pause atop a group of hippo. Timbavati Reserve, South Africa, May 2015. 1/200sec, f8.0, ISO 640

A pair of pygmy kingfishers are small no matter how you look at them. Chitwa Chitwa Lodge, May 2015. 1/1250sec, f5.6, ISO220

A woodland kingfisher is dwarfed by the buffalo weaver nest he is sitting next to. Chitwa Chitwa Lodge, May 2015 1/800sec, f5.6, ISO 560

Some of the large animals in the world look tiny when viewed in the vastness of the Okavango Delta by air. — Some of the largest animals in the world look tiny when viewed in the vastness of the Okavango Delta by air. How many animals can you spot? Stanley’s Camp, Okavango Delta, April 2015 1/1250sec, f9.0, ISO 1100

CEE’S BLACK & WHITE PHOTO CHALLENGE: SMALL SUBJECTS

October 15, 2015

2015-10-15: The Daily Post – Happy Place

Happy Place

October 12, 2015

The experience on my last game drive of my previous holiday is something I have wanted to post about since I got home. I am glad I have finally had a chance to go through the photos, select my favourites, and relive the experience.
We spent the last two nights of our trip at Londolozi, where we had the pleasure of having the team of Dave and Judas guiding us through the bush. For anyone that missed it, I posted a few highlights from this trip previously: http://jennifersawicky.com/2015/06/29/londolozi-highlights/
On our last game drive, we had yet to see a leopard at Londolozi; and being that the property is known for amazing leopard sightings, our ranger was hoping we would see one before we set off for home. We started a leisurely morning drive with a group of three rhinos, and then moved on to a herd of elephants in the most gorgeous morning light. If that was all we saw that morning, I would have come home happy (me and elephants, everyone knows my love of them by now). Dave took a call about a leopard sighting quite some distance away, but a very unique one, a leopard that had been treed by a pride of lions. Dave put us on the sighting wait list, and we continued on with our drive. During a drive through a dry riverbed, we spotted an owl; while the light wasn’t favourable for photographs, I was still thrilled.
Still waiting our turn, we stopped for a coffee and watched a pair of giraffes grazing on acacia leaves. A hare hopped by and paused long enough for me to take a few photos before carrying on its way. Coffee finished, we took the call that our turn was coming up, and we made our way over to the area. As we drove into the area, two impala rams were facing off, rutting season being in full swing, and the noise they were making was absolutely incredible.

When we arrived, a female leopard called Mashaba was high in a tree, with the Tsalala lion pride lazing around near the base.

A full grown leopard in a very scrawny tree!

Her eyes were on either on the lions, or scanning the distance for other threats.

One of the young males of the Tsalala pride.

We weren’t there long though when the lions picked up the sounds of the nearby impala, and one by one, they slowly moved off.

As soon as the last lion was out of sight, Mashaba quickly made her way down the tree and disappeared, so we went to find out what had happened to the lions.

By this point, she had been in the tree for several hours. She must have been tired of that perch.

Watching the lions moving off. — Stopping to scan again.

Double checking that the coast is clear. — Checking again that the coast is clear.

Viewer discretion is advised…

We found the lions a short distance away, and the impala rams were no longer. The pride of seven took down two impala at the same time, and devoured them in less than a quarter hour. I was concentrating more on still shots, but I did take a few video clips, which I have included more for the sound than anything. Mostly the lions fed relatively peacefully, without coming to blows with each other over the choice pieces.

The group made short work of two adult male impala.

Trying to grab a chunk to take away (at least one of the lions moved off with a large chunk of impala to enjoy in peace under the bushes).

Such intensity will eating. — Such intensity while eating.

This was how we left the group; not much left to their meal at this point.

It was a thrilling end to an amazing trip!

September 29, 2015

CEE’S FUN FOTO CHALLENGE: SENSE OF SMELL

I didn't want to post anything to graphic without being able to warn people first. This lioness is resting after a big feed, there were 3 lions with two full grown kudu bulls. I'm sure you can imagine that what the lions hadn't yet eaten was leaving quite a smell in the mid-morning heat. 1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 800 Sabi Sands Game Reserve, May 2015 — I didn’t want to post anything to graphic without being able to warn people first.
This lioness is resting after a big feed; there were three lions with two full grown kudu bulls. I’m sure you can imagine that what the lions hadn’t yet eaten was leaving quite a smell in the mid-morning heat.
1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 800
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, May 2015

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Sense of smell

September 29, 2015

Photo Challenge: Change

My interpretation of the weekly photo challenge – change. Thinking of change in terms of growth; from young to old, the exuberance of youth to the wisdom and maturity of older age. This group has it all.