Zimanga Private Game Reserve – Jennifer Sawicky Photography

My first trip to Africa, I was lucky enough to see a pack of wild dogs, and we spent a short amount of time with them while they lazed away a hot afternoon under the trees. This trip, I spent a great deal of time with the pack, as we tried to monitor them twice a day; first thing in the morning as they were settling in for their days rest, and then in the late afternoon as they set out on the move. This much time in close proximity of the dogs gave me ample opportunity to witness a variety of pack dynamics and behaviours. Watching them play was definitely one of my favourite moments with them.

One of the dogs rolled in the dirt for ages, kicking up quite the dust storm. 1/1250 sec, f7.1, ISO 1600 — One of the dogs rolled in the dirt for ages, kicking up quite the dust storm.
1/1250 sec, f7.1, ISO 1600

Time for a headlock! 1/1250sec, f7.1, ISO 1600 — Time for a headlock!
1/1250sec, f7.1, ISO 1600

A pair of dogs wrestle on the road, while another member tries to catch up on sleep. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600 — A pair of dogs wrestle on the road, while another member tries to catch up on sleep.
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO 1600

wildlifeact.com

zimanga.com

Since Monday I have been at Zimanga Private Game Reserve as a photographic volunteer with Wildlife ACT. The primary focus on this reserve is monitoring and tracking wild dog and cheetah. While the cheetah has remained elusive thus far, I have had the opportunity to spend some time with the pack of six wild dogs. I’m having a brilliant time. As it is very soon time for the afternoon monitoring session, this post will be brief; I wanted the chance though to share a few photos from the past days, as a hint of what is to come.

A bull elephant heading straight towards us on the road, while we drove in reverse! He was completely cool with our presence, but was also on a mission along that road, so we had to get out of his way. 1/320sec, f8.0, ISO 200 — A bull elephant heading straight towards us on the road, while we drove in reverse! He was completely cool with our presence, but was also on a mission along that road, so we had to get out of his way.
1/320sec, f8.0, ISO 200

A juvenile brown snake eagle. 1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 200 — A juvenile brown snake eagle.
1/1000sec, f6.3, ISO 200

A member of the wild dog pack eyes us; we woke them from their afternoon nap. 1/160sec, f9.0, ISO 200 — A member of the wild dog pack eyes us; we woke them from their afternoon nap.
1/160sec, f9.0, ISO 200

A pair of waterbuck, moments before they bolted for safety away from our gaze. 1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 1000 — A pair of waterbuck, moments before they bolted for safety away from our gaze.
1/500sec, f8.0, ISO 1000

A giraffe in front of a jacaranda tree. 1/640sec, f10, ISO 400 — A giraffe in front of a jacaranda tree.
1/640sec, f10, ISO 400

http://zimanga.com

http://wildlifeact.com

Tag: Zimanga Private Game Reserve

Wild Dogs at play

Zimanga Game Reserve with Wildlife ACT