NikonGear'23

Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: elsa hoffmann on January 31, 2016, 17:13:37

Title: [Theme] Where's your Big 5?
Post by: elsa hoffmann on January 31, 2016, 17:13:37: I have not photographed the big 5 - and I guess most of you havent either - but maybe we can make up the big 5 between us.
I have a family photo of the elephants.

In Africa, the big five game animals are the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and White/Black rhinoceros. The term big five game (sometimes capitalised or quoted as "Big Five") was coined by big-game hunters and refers to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Andy on January 31, 2016, 19:21:37: Trying, but still not done.

Rhino / Masai Mara
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/139206383/original.jpg)

Lunch time
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/139840214/original.jpg)

Siesta
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/139840229/original.jpg)

Going home
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/129078935/original.jpg)

Simba
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651868/original.jpg)

Observing
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/139222914/original.jpg)

rgds,
Andy
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: elsa hoffmann on February 01, 2016, 09:23:33: Andy your pics are beautiful.

I live in South Africa - yet havent photographed the Rhino yet - I have seen it plenty - but always too far to get a reasonable photo. But that is soon to change as I will be visiting some Big5 Game reserves in the near future. Leopards I have avoided as EVERY ONE I know shoots them.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:14:02: Elsa that first image is beautiful. Love the symmetry.
I struggle most with Elephant. On the one hand, I find them absolutely fascinating, but on the other hand they are very destructive.
Not quite as bad as us humans though...
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:19:24: Rhino, but I only have white...
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:26:11: Buffalo, Africa's Black Death, is considered the only animal in Africa that will routinely hunt the hunter.

I have been in the middle of herds of more than 300 buffalo several times, and they are normally as docile as common cows, but walk up on an old dagga bull in a dry river-bed and you suddenly understand why Hemingway said that they look at you as if you have violated their mother and owe them money to boot...
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:31:04: Sorry Elsa, but if a leopard gives me a chance, I am going to photograph it. To me it is just about the most beautiful animal around.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:39:36: And Lion. King of the beats, they say.
And you will believe it if you ever walk into a pride with youngsters.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:43:17: And finally a sad reminder that even these magnificent beasts are mortal, like us.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: elsa hoffmann on February 01, 2016, 19:47:00: your images are fascinating Peter. Only a white rhino.... is that PC ???? :P
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 01, 2016, 19:49:17: Haha, no, definitely not.

But the hook-lips hide from me...
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: elsa hoffmann on February 01, 2016, 20:03:40: You might be reported for that racist post hahaha - whatever you do - DONT tweet it ::)
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on February 03, 2016, 14:36:14: Thanks for starting this thread Elsa, Having never been to Africa, I don't have any shots to share, but I enjoyed all posted here.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Andy on February 04, 2016, 13:56:42: Quote from: elsa hoffmann on February 01, 2016, 09:23:33
Andy your pics are beautiful.
Thank you Lisa.

Sorry for the late response, I am currently travelling.

I want to share a little story. Back in December 2007, the D300 just became available, I had to go for a trip to Nairobi. I literally picked up the D300 on the way to the airport and packed a few lenses in my bag - in the hope, that some foto opps might arise. Finishing my duties on Friday afternoon, I had 1 1/2 days to spent until my flight would depart on sunday noon. Instead of staying in the hotel or city, I opted to fly to the Masai Mara with a little Buschtaxi, returning on Sunday at 11am. Given my super short stay at the lodge, I asked if I could get a driver for the full day - and not only the usual morning and evening safari. Henry and I spent all available time out there and it was fascinating to observe, how he read the tracks and found so many great spots and animals in this beautiful area. It was like a never ending dream of impressions and photo opportunities.

One example: On sunday morning, we found a lionesse with her partner nanny and 6 little lion puppies. Together with this lion familiy, we were there for hours - completely alone. I felt privileged to be able to observe and kind of "participate" in the play of the young lions among themselves. Sometimes they approached us and the distance was just a few meters, when they either fell asleep, or started to play.

In the following series are some of the many photos I was able to capture with my (then new) D300. It was indeed a precious time I could not have better hoped and planned for.

This is how we found them. One of the little lions "observed" the close-by valley - exposing his silhouette. It reminded a bit about the scene in the movie The lion king, when Simba was shown his kingdom.
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651868/original.jpg)

(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651871/original.jpg)

Meanwhile, others had nothing to do, and waited how the day will evolve
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651872/original.jpg)

(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651873/original.jpg)

(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651874/original.jpg)

Henry told me that the baby lions are approx 3 months old, but watching them how they move, the muscles and the elegant motion, someone could easily imagine why this little animals might later be seen as "kings".
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651875/original.jpg)

Better together
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651878/original.jpg)

Sharing observations. One left, one right
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651880/original.jpg)

Always looking for new things
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651883/original.jpg)

(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651885/original.jpg)

actively looking
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651886/original.jpg)

passively looking - adventures might show up by themselves
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651888/original.jpg)

Even the most dedicated observer needs sometimes a nap
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651891/original.jpg)

(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651894/original.jpg)

If nothing shows up, playing together is a good substitute
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651896/original.jpg)

mom was watching to make sure, that all 6 puppies are safe
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651899/original.jpg)

The lions were so young, that they didn't have claws yet, so climbing on little trees was often a serious challenge - triggering many laughs on our behalf. But if successful, the view was very rewarding.
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128651901/original.jpg)

3 of them - left the conqueror, right on the ground the one who hasn't started yet
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128667005/original.jpg)

Meanwhile, another puppy found some toys to show off
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128667006/original.jpg)

Too demanding for this one - he fell asleep in a moment (and later fell off the tree completely)
(http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/128667007/original.jpg)

Everytime I see the pictures, my memory immediatly jumps back in time and brings this feeling back, what a unique experience in my life these few hours were. Unforgettable.

rgds,
Andy
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Jørgen Ramskov on February 04, 2016, 14:01:40: Wow, what an experience Andy! Many, many wonderful photos, thanks a lot for sharing your story and shots.
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Andy on February 04, 2016, 17:38:21: Thank you Jorgen. It was indeed a unique experience. This short trip was probably the best "new camera test ride" I ever had with puppy leopards, large herds of elephants and giraffes, plus many other animals. :)
rgds,
Andy
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Fanie on February 05, 2016, 15:10:24: Kruger National Park

D800 with 300 f2.8 AFI, 1.7 TC

1/400 , f8, iso400.

And a whole family trying to pull me out of the open window into the Landy to close it :-)
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Fanie on February 05, 2016, 15:15:21: Black Rhino, not the best of shots due to the bush, but interesting due to the wounds it shows from some fighting.

D800, 300 f2.8 AFI with 1.7 TC

1/5000, f5.6, ISO1600
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 05, 2016, 19:24:22: Great series Andy, and stunning photos Fanie!
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Andy on February 08, 2016, 01:50:19: Thank you Peter.

Here are a few more from the same super short trip

rgds,
Andreas
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Ron Scubadiver on February 08, 2016, 17:08:27: (https://ronscubadiver.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/dsc_5855.jpg)
South Africa, January, 2013

Caught in the act, from this batch: https://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/lions-mating/ (https://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/lions-mating/)
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Jakov Minić on February 08, 2016, 17:31:06: Elsa, Andy, Peter, Ron, some majestic images you have displayed!
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: Peter Connan on February 08, 2016, 17:57:39: Stunning shots Rona and Andy!
Title: Re: Where's your big 5
Post by: elsa hoffmann on February 08, 2016, 19:32:28: wow cool shots guys

I did travel to Tanzania once - that was my best wildlife experience up till then - I need more to add to my collection of course - but hell - there is so much to see and shoot!
I almost have the "Marine Big 5" - whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and penguins; - just missing the dolphins!