NikonGear'23
Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: elsa hoffmann on January 04, 2018, 08:05:17
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Arguably the best National Park (reserve) in South Africa. This park falls in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
Game viewing is easy as the park is pretty open (it's semi desert) and animals are out in the open.
We spent 13 days in the park - and I could have stayed another 130.
We stayed in tents - specifically because the one site was an open camp site (no fences) on the Botswana side. 6 camp sites and no neighbors to be seen or heard. Frikkie the Jackal and 2 Cape foxes were some our frequent companions, although lions are known to frequent the site. we also had a Puffadder snake sail right between the tents. Tree nouse and Cardinal Woodpeckers stayed in the tree under which we camped.
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and the last ones
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Beautiful images Elsa. Especially the young Cheetah.
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Great , varied collection of images Elsa. Really good advert for the Park and yourself. I particularly like the PP on the Bee Eater tossing the prey.
Many thanks for sharing
Tom
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Fantastic pictures, you seem to have captured animals in all sizes.
My wife and I are considering a trip to the Kruger park (Nyati) in beginning of August.
After seeing your pictures I really have an urge to go ;)
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Thank you kindly for the comments.
Chris - the young cheetahs are quite fruffy and dirty - and in half shade.
Tommiejeep - one of the few that hardly needed any post production. I think I only did noise reduction on the background and some sharpening.
Bent - the bush bites and then you cant stay away. Kruger is quite different to the Kgalagadi - it is more bushy and lots of trees, making it more difficult to see the animals. Kgalagadi is unique in that way - open river beds and arid semi desert. Kruger has tarred roads and more vehicles - Kgalagadi is gravel and sand - and limited vehicles at any given time. Camps are small.
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So many, great.
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Thank you kindly Fons
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Elsa, as the others have said. These are splendid. The baby Cheetah is special - I have not seen such an image before.
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Thank you Hugh. I have a couple of cheetah shots - might post later. They are very special - mom had 2 cubs. Another one had 4 cubs (her 3rd litter of 4) 171221 Kgalagadi 085.jpg - that is the mom of the 4 cubs (her name is Corinne)
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Really good animal captures, with lifestyle action.
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Thank you Anthony
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Elsa, Superb images !
Another vote for the scrubby baby cheetah
Those bee eaters are colorful!
The lion walking at you looks scary
The eagle (?) on the tree , what's happening there ?
A fantastic collection of all kinds of animals, seem you certainly had a great time
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thank you Armando!
The Tawny eagle is being harassed by Drongo (birds) - maybe they have a nest nearby - I am not sure. They quickly got rid of him/her though :)
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Simply outstanding captures, Elsa !
Many thanks for sharing these.
Doug
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It seems, all the animals know, you take photos and like to pose for you.
Really a great collection.
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:) Alaun - trust me - you have to work for your photos. Take 12 million and hope you get 2 that works :) and patience...
Thank you for your kind comment
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Very nice set. Congrats!
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Wonderful pictures ! The mother cheetah is so elegant :D I did like the Suricate chewing on what might have been a big insect. The mouse in the tree looks quite surprised ;)!
What a wonderful 13 days it must have been...
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Fantastic photos - mother and baby cheetah is my favorite! And the mouse. And the birds.
Well, I suppose I like so many that I can't decide on a single favorite.
Outstanding.
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Thank you atpaula!
Jacques - believe it or not - it was eating Pawpaw.... :) it was an experience of a life time.
Thank you Fred - much appreciated.
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Great series, my favourites are the bee eater, mama cheetah with kitten and the eagle being harassed by the crows (or whatever they are).
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thanks Simato - they are Fork Tailed Drongos - (never heard of them myself before this trip)
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wow.. truly excellent captures.. all of them!
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thank you Bob.
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What a wonderful collection Elsa.
I've been watching these pop up on your Facebook feed today, getting increasingly jealous!
It's great to see them together here with a bit more context and background.
Are you still there, or back home & up to your ears in post-processing now?
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Hi Colin - thank you for commenting!
I came back on Friday 29th - and have been culling images for 5 days. And believe me there were a lot to cull... New camera (D500 just shoots by itself ;D and before I know it there is a 100 of one damn thing)
I aimed for at least 60 good ones - but I will have at least 3 x as much - so lots of editing. But since I love editing - I don't mind at all. My ears are therefor happy. My behind less so from all the sitting.
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New camera, D500 just shoots by itself ;D .
"gasp"
The D500 and a 200-500mm sounds like a wildlife photographers dream.
Reach without the weight.
You made excellent use of this combo.
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Thanks - a bit of a different beast after the D800. Really a good combo - But I am missing the additional pixels of the D800 without a doubt
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Great Series Elsa, they are all very impressive. Looks like wonderful place there !
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Goodness gracious! I seldom comment but these are wonderful! Oh, to be there...
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Hello Elsa !
What a nice series : all beautiful and very sharp. I can imagine how many pics you had to take to get this result...
Your combo is perfect for this job indeed !
By the way, I like your new logo. Very finely made and inconspicuous. It looks like a seal.
Well done ! :)
Francis.
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Amazing presentations of the best national park of SA!
I'm especially fascinated by the captures of critical moments of small birds and critters.
The image #5 reminds me of "Elsa the lioness" from the documentary "Born Free". :o :o :o
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Great captures, Elsa - my favourites are #4 and #8. These show wonderful detail and excellent sharpness - you obviously have steady hands.
You are putting your 200-500 to great use!
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John Geerts - Thank you - the say the red sand crawls under your skin.
Ashlandish - thank you then especially for looking and commenting !
Francis - thanks. Yes I came back with FAR too many photos. But then again - does one ever have enough?
Akira - thank you - ye I am with you on ELSA the Lioness.... obviously I kind of feel a bond to it haha
Mikes - a bean bag helps a lot more than you think :) Arms get tired! Thank you for the nice comment. I love that lens.
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Hello Elsa, very nice pictures. To me, probably the best I've seen from you. A beanbag is an excellent solution; I'm using these a lot for rifle shooting, but not for photography. For the latter, God knows why (not). 😊
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really appreciate you sharing these wonderful images, many congratulations!
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thank you Mr Floyd - Imagine now if I go back :) :)
Michale - thank you for the kind comment
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I am missing the additional pixels of the D800 without a doubt
Ahh, time to get a bit closer then.
I reckon you'd make an excellent Ninja, so this shouldn't be a problem for you ;)
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haha thank you Colin. I dont think getting out of a vehicle and staling the big cats would be advisable. And I am working on my flying skills. Getting there.
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A late comment from me, but this a really nice series, Elsa. +1 with respect to the baby cheetah shot. I wonder if the fluffy fur could help protecting against the heat of the sun? Any idea how long before it is shed?
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Thank you for looking and your kind comment Øivind. I have no idea how long the fur stays. I am not too clued up on cheetah.
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Dear Elsa,
These photographes are a prime example of why I need to visit you!
Not that I would make such stunning images as you have presented to us all :)
Love, Jakov
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Dear Elsa,
These photographes are a prime example of why I need to visit you!
Not that I would make such stunning images as you have presented to us all :)
Love, Jakov
Ag you are such a sweetie :) thank you :)
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Elsa you are brave to visit the Kglagadi in December, I have been there once during December and its HOT. I love your photos, a true reflection of the beauty of that park.
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Elsa you are brave to visit the Kglagadi in December, I have been there once during December and its HOT. I love your photos, a true reflection of the beauty of that park.
Fanie probably more stupid than brave. Having said that - we COOKED - but as soon as I got home - I couldnt remember the heat that well. Very strange as I do NOT do heat well. Swimming and 16 showers a day helped. I wouldnt like to go that time of the year again - next time winter. Just so I can see the difference. (and freeze my dinges off)
thank you for the lovely comment.
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In have been waiting (im)patiently for your trip report on another forum, and never thought to look here.
All these images you shared are exceptional, but I feel the Roller also needs a personal mention.
As you know, I just love the Kgalagadi. And I particularly like it in summer, as the coming of the rain really seems to make everything come alive. You have definitely made great use of the opportunities you were granted.
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thank you kindly Peter. I thought I did post on the other forum :o
;D ;D I think I am getting old