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Wildlife from the last few trips. (Safaris) Warning lots of picks.

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Oreotragus ! Aren't they ?

Those were really elusive in Savuti, Botswana.

Thanks a lot for this post - you were quite lucky with the leopard and prey...

This all brings back memories - i should go back there sometime.

The Bigma rendering is there, definitely - sharp, good at long distances, difficult rendering with busy backgrounds, but oh so useful...

I was especially interested in your third post about your smaller stuff : we don't see enough pics of insects, chameleons, etc... there's plenty around ! (and living there you have the luck to spend some dedicated time just for those).

Keep up the good posts - always a journey for us europeans !

I'll be back there - definitely. We'll meet, and shoot along hopefully, be it N or Oly !
(and now i've got to shop/loan for a 500/4 !)

Have fun !!!

Marc
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http://mdezemery.zenfolio.com/

 
Very nice pictures, some of truly stunning, Colin. The only distractions are the third one (because of tarmac road in the picture - a common issue with Kruger NP) and some of similar pictures / alternatives (because I prefer the best one to be chosen by you).
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http://www.intopicture.com
 
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Thanks it was a good trip. Due to the dryness the animals come to water. On the last trip it was so wet that there was a water hole every 500m and the animals where dispersed. We saw 3 sightings of leopard but far away stuff.
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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
Thanks.

As you know in the Kruger you are not allowed to go off the roads so most of your shooting is done from the road. With the third lion we were lucky as they come to the tarmac road and lie on it because its nice and warm on the road otherwise they would have been in the bush with the rest of the pride which we could not see. It was very early and just after gate opening time.

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
This is an amazing collection of african wildlife photographies, but specially these of the little birds: what a richness of detail and colours! I think I've not seen anything so good for quite a while! Really you are a source of inspiration.

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http://endikag.zenfolio.com/
 
Trond thanks for the comments.

I think that after the world cup people will realise that South Africa is not that wild and filled with savages. We have a really good road system and some fairly modern cities.

Why I say this is because it’s easy to do a DIY safari without getting ripped off by the big tour operators and paying a fortune for everything. I know time is really of the essence so the big 5 in 3 days is what a lot of people do. But in a lot of these cases this is not true safari. There is a big thrill to be the first one at a sighting of a special animal and getting the best shots. It’s like hunting without a gun.

The last trip was a road trip as we wanted to go to other places ( I also got a new car). But the previous one we flew to JHB picked up a car and drove to the Kruger for 10 Days. We had booked into SAN Parks (South African National Parks) accommodation and of course had of own vehicle (Rented) . We normally cater for ourselves but you can eat in the restaurants if you wish. The accommodation can be basic but nearly all have their own bathroom and aircon with cooking facilities. They are all extremely clean and serviced.

The Whole trip including flights, car rental , accommodation , food and DRINK cost me about R20000 for 3 of us. That works out to about $1000 per head for 10 Days. So the only Extra cost would be flights to South Africa.

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
.Thanks Brent

I try ( My wife recons I will try anything once or maybe stupid enough to even try it twice.) LOL

As to the wildlife thing I am fortunate enough to live in a country where ewe have opportunities to do a lot on wild life stuff (While it lasts). As I said previously I it’s like hunting with out a gun. I also enjoy the solitude and the quite. Although when we go with my son there is always a fight about where we are going, I would say right he would say left and then we stop to argue (big bull little bull thing.) then I normally say "he who pays the piper calls the tune." so go right. Then he sulks.

The other thing is you sometimes only get one chance you can't come back tomorrow. That is why PP work is essential as you don't always get the perfect shot so you have to try and recover your mess ups.

When you posted the high ISO challenge I was intrigued as I shoot a lot of high ISO stuff on the last trip and most of it came out OK not as good as 200 ISO but OK if you understand what you have got to work with . I had been wondering what all the hoha was about High ISO with the newer cams. The challenge I think has changed a lot of people’s minds.

I also posted these as I though this site gets a bit one dimensional and I would add some colour.

Any way thanks for the comments as your work is an inspiration to me

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
Thanks Marc

Wow a 500/f4 ( Mind you 500mm or 750mm a bit short is it not LOL ) and which bank did you rob or did you have to kiss the bank managers backside.

Yes the background can get a bit hairy with the bigma especially if there are lot of shrubs.

As to coming back here I am sure you can with all those Euros you are going to make in you new endeavours. Oh yes the klipspringers where lucky one moved slightly and I saw it. I shouted STOP and nearly went from the backseat to having my nose squashed on the dashboard, anyway it was worth it.

Thanks again

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
I prefer the shots of the animals that are looking your way. So many good shots. Putting in the time and effort, you have reaped the rewards. How close were you? Did any of the animals show any aggression towards you in your car? I also liked the bird shots very much.
 
Thanks Paul

The lions are so arrogant that they look right through you and act as if you are not there at all. They are truly king of the beasts and on his turf and that includes human. If you look at the paws you will notice that they are the size of saucepan lids.

OK maybe not the only kings. Elephants now these are big and only the weak and the young are vulnerable but they can be aggressive to humans. A few old bulls who where in musk chased us. A few where just mock attacks but the one bugger chased us down the road for about 1 KM. As large as they are the can move very quickly. There is also culling going of as there a far to many elephants in the park and being inteligant animals they know who the enemy is.

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
Thanks Endika

I like doing most wildlife. But small birds are great as they are difficult to get the detail as some of them like the blue waxbill are only about 8cm long and the don't sit still. You have to anticipate where they will probably move next ( normally any point of 360 degrees) and wait. Then they normally blink or turn their heads or bugger off. Eeeeeesh.

But I do take a lot of pleasure in taking small birds. The other thing is that you have to be prepaired to PP as nearly all these pictures have been cropped in some fashion an pp work done.

Again Thanks

.

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Collin

http://www.pbase.com/collinbaxter
http://collinbaxter.zenfolio.com/

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 
Looks like an amazing trip. Great photos! Thanks for sharing these.
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Pino
 
I was at work today, saw your post but I cannot view dpreview links to site such as picasa,, smugbug,,etc. until I get home

these are really incredible, and the shades of brown which most of these savanna, type animals really make sense when you see the tones of the animas and grasses,, you should go on line and get one of the photo book sites,, that book would make an incredible gift, (especially for nieces, nephews, grand children, or your own kids)
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Brad Ross
 
One cheetah is licking his lips in anticipation of fresh meat. ;) I love the lion portraits, but the cheetah shots are especially great, because the very effective camouflaging is showcased so well.
 
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