The Early Bird
Early evening in the Linyanti region of Botswana, this Southern Red-Billed Hornbill was the “Early Bird that catches the worm”. It swooped down, grabbed the worm and then flew up and onto a branch where he proceeded to bash it about before finally swallowing it whole.
Southern Red-Billed Hornbill - Tockus rufirostris
A fairly small Hornbill with a rather short red bill. It has white-spotted wing coverts, pale face and white throat.
Nikon D5 with Nikkor VR 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G lens and a 1.4x Teleconverter, effective focal length 550mm1/3200 sec @ f14, Auto ISO 4500
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Dinner Time
These two oceanic Blacktip Sharks were competing for sardine pieces at the surface. They are resident off the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa and is a regular attendant at the Shark feeding and diving venue, Aliwal Shoal, 5km offshore of Scottborough bathing beach. Divers can interact closely with these Sharks without the need for a cage provided they comply with behaviour styles so as not to incite the Sharks to think they are food. These Sharks have grown large as a by-product of the Tiger Shark baiting programme.
Oceanic Blacktip Shark - Carcharhinus Limbatus
This a common Shark which is distributed throughout the coastal tropical and subtropical waters around the world. The species is known to grow to a length of 2m. The Shark has a strong streamlined body with a fusiform shape and long pointed snout with relatively small eyes. The gill slits are long and they can have black tips or edges to their pectoral, dorsal, pelvic or caudal fins. They are extremely fast, energetic predators sometimes breaching the surface and swimming erratically when hunting fish.
Nikon D300 Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX, 10mm F13 at 1/50th sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250 strobes on ¼ power. Taken on scuba at 1m at Aliwal Shoal, Kwa-Zulu Natal , South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Meerkat Generations
This clan was rising from the desert night in summer amongst the dew wet grass. Many had damp fur and were drying out in the morning sun as they stood collectively looking for danger. Tentatively at first but with increasing confidence the pups soon emerged to join the generations of their mob on the red sandy mound outside their burrow. They played and rolled around at the feet of their parents before days foraging began
Meerkat Mob –Suricata suricatta
The meerkat is a small carnivoran belonging to the mongoose family (Herpestidae). Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. In captivity, meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years, and about half this in the wild. The meerkat is small, weighing on average about 0.5 to 2.5 The meerkat uses its tail to balance when standing upright, as well as for signaling. At the end of each of a meerkat's "fingers" is a claw used for digging burrows and digging for prey. The patterns of stripes are unique to each meerkat. The underside of the meerkat has no markings, but the belly has a patch which is only sparsely covered with hair and shows the black skin underneath. The meerkat uses this area to absorb heat while standing on its rear legs, usually early in the morning after cold desert nights.
Nikon D2Xs, DX format, Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS lens @ 150mm,
1/320th sec @ f6.3, ISO 560
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Lechwe Splash
Late afternoon in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, this male Red Lechwe darted across a wet floodplain kicking up a spray of water droplets as it splashed through the water.
Red Lechwe -Kobus leche
A sturdy, long-horned antelope that lives at the water’s edge. It has overdeveloped hindquarters, hooves elongated with wide splay and adjacent naked skin, that are aquatic adaptations.
Nikon D5 with Nikkor VR 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G lens with 1.4x Teleconverter, effective focal length 550mm
1/2500 sec @ f13, Auto ISO 57000
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Kalahari Red
This Wildebeest had just been sand bathing in a scrape in the red Kalahari sands post the rain. The red dust stuck to it like a woman’s makeup coating his hair and providing a colourful evening sight as well as a useful way of getting rid of parasites and defending its hide from flies. It added even more to the comical appearance of these animals who seem to be made up of a mixture of parts from various antelope species.
Blue Wildebeest –Connochaetes taurinus
The Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), also called the common Wildebeest, White-bearded Wildebeest or Brindled Gnu, is a large antelope. This broad-shouldered antelope has a muscular, front-heavy appearance, with a distinctive robust muzzle. Young Bblue Wildebeest are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult colouration at the age of two months. Both sexes possess a pair of large curved horns. The Blue Wildebeest is a herbivore, feeding primarily on the short grasses. It forms herds which move about in loose aggregations, the animals being fast runners and extremely wary. Blue Wildebeest are found in short grass plains bordering bush-covered acacia savannas in southern and eastern Africa, thriving in areas that are neither too wet nor too arid. Three African populations of Blue Wildebeest take part in a long-distance migration.
Nikon D7000, DX format, Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS lens @ 250mm,
1/400th sec @ f6.3, ISO 6400
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Improvised Camouflage
Early morning in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, this Back-Backed Jackal was seen running through the long grass when he suddenly crouched down and peeked through the beautiful dry grass seeds using these grass blades as camouflage.
Black-Backed Jackal -Canis mesomelas
Handsome jackal with a distinct saddle of black and silver hair, also known as Silver-Backed Jackal. Weighs around 7 to 14 kg and is reddish brown to tan, redder on flanks and legs; saddle of raised black and white hairs; black tipped tail; underparts and throat are white.
Nikon D5 with Nikkor VR 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G lens with a 1.4x Teleconverter, effective focal length 500mm
1/3200 sec @ f14, Auto ISO 3200
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Stingray Swim by
This Blotched Fantail Stingray sometimes known as a Bull Ray was found flying effortlessly over the deep reef looking for a sandy patch to settle down on and dissapear beneath the seabed. These Rays rest by day and are more active hunting at night but in this case it was quite curious about the divers wanting its photo. The motion of swimming by moving its round disk makes it seem like a magic carpet waving in the wind and while it seems tame and effortless this is the type of Ray responsible for Steve Irwin’s death by using the sharp barb at the base of its tail.
Blotched fantail ray - Taeniura Meyenie
The common name for the Blotched Fantail Ray comes from its coloration and tail flap. The upper surface is a pattern of black, grey and white spots and blotches which ends abruptly at the edges of the circular-shaped body. The pattern continues along the tail to the one or two spines where the colour changes to black or dark grey. The very edges of the body disc are white like the belly. This Ray lives throughout the coastal waters of the tropics. It is common on coral reefs where it feeds on bottom-dwelling animals. While the Stingray is approachable and at times curious, it should be treated with respect; at least one human fatality has been attributed to this ray.
Nikon D300, AF Sigma 10-20mm D lens, 10mm, 1/20th sec @ f5, ISO 200
Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250
strobes on ¼ power.
Taken on scuba at 41m at Deep Pinnacle, southern Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Hopper Happiness
In the desert of the Kalahari where the arid region bakes for much of the year, the rain is scarce and a miracle maker. Flowers and insects all flourish post the rain for a short period when the life cycle of most species needs to complete in short order. The colours and smells are intense and so is the need to feed and reproduce in Tswalu reserve during dusk.
Armoured Ground Cricket – Acanthoplus discoidalis
The Armoured Ground Cricket is a wide-bodied, flightless species that typically grows to a body length of about 5 cm. The pronotum bears several sharp, conical spines. The mandibles, or main biting jaws, are powerful; they can inflict a painful nip and they permit the insect to feed on material such as tough herbage or carrion. Another defense against predators is reflex bleeding (also called "autohaemorrhaging") in which the insects squirt haemolymph from pores in their exoskeleton, achieving a range of a few centimetres. Especially when their diet is deficient in protein and salt, members of the species commonly become cannibalistic, so much so that when their populations peak in autumn and some of them stray across roads and are crushed by traffic, cannibalistic conspecifics congregate around the casualties and feed until they, in turn, are killed.
Nikon D300, DX format, AF-Nikkor 105mm f 2.8 Macro lens, 1/80th sec @ f11, ISO 800
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Panoramic View
Later afternoon in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, this Leopard climbed a very tall dead tree and chose a comfortable branch on which to lay and survey the panoramic view before him. While he lay there the moon was seen to slowly rise and peer out from behind the some misty clouds.
Leopard -Panthera pardus
Leopards embody feline beauty with stealth, infinite patience and power. A Leopard will get to within 5 m of its quarry before pouncing, taking it completely by surprise. Tremendously strong, these cats can carry a 70 kg Impala to a feeding position up a tree.
Nikon D5, 20 megapixel resolution with Nikkor VR80 – 400mm f4.5 – 5.6G lens with Nikon 1.4 x Teleconverter, effective focal length 135mm, 1/800 sec @ f16, Auto ISO 2800
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Back-off, Big Boy!”
With evening rapidly approaching on the Chobe River, this plucky little Africa Jacana was sitting on eggs in its net which had been built on the floating vegetation. An old male Buffalo waded into the water towards the nest and threatened to destroy the nest and its precious eggs. The Jacana reared up with its wings spread out and it bellowed loudly in an effort to chase away the approaching buffalo who then retreated and waded off in a different direction.
African Jacana – Actophilornis africanus
This bird has a distinctive rich chestnut body, white neck, yellow upper breast, black and white head with a blue frontal shield. The Female Jacana mates with many different males who then incubate, hatch and raise the chicks.
African or Cape Buffalo - Syncerus caffer
.
Massive build with short, powerful limbs and cow’s tail. Broad head with wide mouth, moist nostrils and drooping, fringed ears. The size and shape of the horns reflect sex and age.
Nikon D5 with Nikkor VR80-400mm f4.5-5.6G lens with Nikon 1.4 x Teleconverter, effective focal length 390mm,
1/3200 sec @ f16, Auto ISO 22800
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
From Heaven to Earth
On the river banks of the Sabie river after a 44o Celsius day the thunder clouds of Cumulo Nibus storms were seen to be windblown towards the north. This vantage point allowed us to see the lightning flashing and reflecting of the rivers surface lighting up the sand and islands.
Lightning
Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm. This discharge occurs between electrically charged regions of a cloud (called intra-cloud lightning or IC), between two clouds (CC lightning), or between a cloud and the ground (CG lightning).
The charged regions in the atmosphere temporarily equalize themselves through this discharge referred to as a strike if it hits an object on the ground, and a flash, if it occurs within a cloud. Lightning causes light in the form of plasma, and sound in the form of thunder. Lightning may be seen and not heard when it occurs at a distance too great for the sound to carry as far as the light from the strike or flash.
Nikon D300, DX format, AF-S VR-Nikkor10-200mm f 3.5-5.6 lens, Manual at 32mm, 30 sec @ f9, ISO 100
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Double Spray
Around midday in the Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, this Elephant was found wallowing in a pool of cool water and having fun blowing a double spray out of both ends of its trunk.
Elephant – Loxodonta africana
The largest land animal, Africa’s true King of Beasts, weights up to 6000 kg (male) and 3500 (female), height 3.3 m (male) and 2.5 m (female). The trunk is a muscular extension of the upper lip containing the nostrils, and the tip is equipped with two finger-like projections for handling small objects. Huge ears, up to 1.5 m. Flapping ears on still, hot days helps cool blood flowing through network of veins on the back surface. Tusks grow continuously, weighing up to 13 kg each and can reach a length of 2.5 m.
Nikon D4, 16 megapixel resolution, FX format, Sigma VR 150-500mm, f5.6-6.3 G lens,
effective focal length 380 mm, 1/5000sec @f10, ISO2500
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Wandering Whale Shark and Remoras
This gentle giant was spotted while on a science safari specifically looking for whale sharks in order to photograph their spot patterns, situated to the rear of their gill slits. These spot patterns can be used by scientists to identify each individual whale shark and therefore track their Indian ocean movements across multiple locations. This large female had a whole school of remora fish under her belly, using her as transport and a food source, feeding off either plankton swarms or small baitfish shoals.
Whale Shark – Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter-feeding shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 18.8m (61.7 ft). The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the largest living nonmammalian vertebrate. The whale shark is found in open waters of the tropical oceans and is rarely found in water below 21 °C (70 °F). Studies looking at vertebral growth bands and the growth rates of free-swimming sharks have estimated whale shark lifespans at 80-130 years. Whale sharks have very large mouths and are filter feeders, they feed almost exclusively on plankton and small fishes, and pose no threat to humans.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, F9 @ 1/80" sec, IS0 200, Sea & Sea Housing.
Taken on snorkel at Tofo, Mozambique.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Colourful Approach
Late afternoon in the Sabie Sands Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa, this Lilac-Breasted Roller took off from a branch and soon assumed the cruise mode for its colourful approaching flight.
Lilac -Breasted Roller - Coracias caudatus
Bright, coloured medium-sized birds with robust bills and short legs. Hunt from perches, dropping to the ground or taking prey in the air. Sexes alike. Distinctive with pointed tail streamers, turquoise crown, nape and mantle, lilac breast. Streamers lost during winter moult, but crown and breast distinctive. Juv. duller; lacks elongated tail feathers, best told from juv. European roller by smaller head and bill and blue (not black) flight feathers. Told from juv. Racket-tailed Roller by blue (not brown), median wing coverts buts uniformly dark blue flight feathers (lacking pale blue bases). Voice: Harsh ‘chak’ often repeated when agitated; flight call ‘grak, grak, grarrak’. Status and biology: Common resident in savanna. Perches conspicuously, often along telephone poles.
Nikon D5 with Sigma 50-500 mm, f4.5-6.3G lens, effective focal length 200 mm, 1/3200 sec @f10
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Tip-toeing across the road
On an overcast day, in the Ngala Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, this beautiful green chameleon was crossing the gravel road in a lurching fashion placing each leg and foot gently on the surface using its two-toed feet. His tail is spiralled closed and rotating eyes are constantly checking backwards and forwards for danger.
Chameleon - Trioceros melleri
A chameleon's sticky, two-foot-long tongue snaps out at 13 miles an hour, wrapping around an insect and whipping the yummy snack back into the reptile's mouth. Now that's fast food dining! And the chameleons swift eating style is just one if its many features that'll leave you tongue-tied.
Chameleons mostly live in the rain forests and deserts of Africa. The colour of their skin helps them blend in with their habitats. Chameleons that hang out in trees are usually green. Those that live in deserts are most often brown. They often change colour to warm up or cool down. Turning darker helps warm the animals because the dark colours absorb more heat. They also switch shades to communicate with other chameleons, using bright colours to attract potential mates or warn enemies. The outer layer of their skin is see-through. Beneath that are layers of special cells filled with pigment - the substance that gives plants and animals, including you, colour. To display a new colour, the brain sends a message for these cells to get bigger or smaller. As this happens, pigments from different cells are released, and they mix with each other to create new skin tones. For instance, red and blue pigment may mix to make the chameleon look purple.
All chameleons have a prize pair of eyes. Their peepers can move in two different directions at once, giving the animal a panoramic view of their surroundings.
Nikon Z6iii with Nikon 105mm macro lens, 1/640 sec @ f14, ISO 1400.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Beneficial Relationships
Late afternoon in the Sabie Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa, this Black Rhinoceros was enjoying the late afternoon setting sun while birds happily pecked off insects from its hide as well as those insects which were disturbed by its feet.
Black Rhinoceros – Diceros bicornis
Black Rhinos have a prehensile upper lip and are browsers, as opposed to white Rhino, which have a square lip and are grazers. Due to the increase in demand for Rhino horn (for dagger handles, medicines, aphrodisiacs) they are now more precious than gold. In an effort to save the estimated world population of about 3700 black Rhino left, most black Rhino have electronic chips implanted in a hole drilled in their horns and their ears are notched in a codified manner for ease of identification. Radioactive chips are now also being inserted into holes drilled in the horns for detection at border posts if poachers are attempting to smuggle them out of the country.
Nikon D4S, 16 megapixel resolution, Sigma VR 50-500mm f4.5-6.3G lens,
focal length at 340mm, 1/640 sec @f8, ISO 5000
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“I’ve Only Got Eyes For You”
Late afternoon in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, a concession within the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa, near the Orpen gate, this young Leopard was found resting in a tree looking upward in a very pensive mood.
Leopard – Panthera pardus
Leopards embody feline beauty with stealth, infinite patience and power. A Leopard will get to within 5 m of its quarry before pouncing, taking it completely by surprise. Tremendously strong, these cats can carry a 70 kg Impala to a feeding position up in a tree.
Nikon D5 with Sigma 50-500mm, lens effective
focal length at 440mm, 1/1600 sec @f14
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Tough Life!
Late afternoon in the Sabie Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa, this Giraffe was demonstrating just how tough life is for a Giraffe, not only contending with birds pecking off insects, but also having to bend down to drink with such long legs.
Giraffe – Giraffa camelopardalis
Giraffes are the biggest ruminant and the tallest mammal. Very long neck with short, upstanding mane, high shoulders sloping steeply to hind quarters, long legs nearly equal in length. The male weighs up 1900 kg and the female 1200 kg. Horns: solid bone, skin covered, a main pair in both sexes but female’s thin and tufted, male’s thick and bald at the top. Possible scent glands on eyelids, nose and lips.
Nikon D4S with Nikkor VR600 mm f/4G with 1.4 Teleconverter,
effective focal length 850 mm, 1/2500 sec @f/6.3, ISO 7200
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
The “Upside down” tree on an oceanless island
As we were leaving Kubu island a rocky outcrop in the middle of the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana we visited this red baobab somehow growing out the rocks way above the salt pan floor and dominating the skyline into the clear deep blue sky.
Baobab – Adansonia
The Baobab Tree is also known as the tree of life. The cork-like bark and huge stem are fire resistant and are used for making cloth and rope. The leaves are used as condiments and medicines. The fruit, called "monkey bread", is edible, and full of Vitamin C. The tree can store 120 000 litres of water. Radio-carbon dating has measured the age of some Baobab trees at over 2 000 years old. For most of the year, the tree is leafless and looks very much like it has its roots sticking up in the air.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro 2.2mm 1/1715"sec @ 2,2 IS0 40.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Nebu the White Lioness
The Timbavati area hosts Ngala Private Game Reserve, a concession within the Kruger National Park, and has become famous for its white lions. This alpha female, Nebu, has been observed throughout her life. Nicknamed Princess, she is now a mother herself to white cubs, as can be seen lying with normal coloured lions, lazing about within the pride as the heat of the day begins to build.
White Lion - Panthera leo
White lions are not albinos, nor a different species of lion. Their condition is a rarity where a recessive genetic mutation causes the lion's coat to vary from near white to blonde, rather than the common tawny. Interestingly, their skin and eyes retain their natural pigment. A cub is born white only if both of its parents carry the recessive gene, as such, there are instances where there will be a mix of classic tawny lion cubs and white cubs born in the same litter.
Nikon Z6.ili with Nikkor VR80 - 400mm f4.5 - 5.6G lens, 1/800 sec @ f22, ISO 25600.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Leopard shark and hitch hikers
This Leopard Shark, lying on a sand patch in the Indian Ocean off Tofo, Mozambique, is accompanied by two small Golden Trevally which signifies their juvenile status. Sucking onto its underside is a Remora (sucker fish). This shark eats shellfish, crabs and bony fishes which it can suck into its powerful mouth. The Remoras will catch a free ride on the host darting off to pick up drifting morsels of food as the shark breaks up the prey it has caught.
Leopard shark - Stegostoma fasciatum
Golden Trevally - Gnathanodon speciosus
Remora - Remora Remorina
Leopard Sharks are bottom-dwelling sharks found between 0-65m deep in the ocean and grow to more than 1.7m in length. They are frequently found on sandy floors or coral reefs, resting during daytime and hunting nocturnally. They are frequently found accompanied by Remoras which have a suction pad on the top of their heads with which to hitch a ride on their hosts. These sharks are classed as vulnerable due to human predation for their meat, the fins being used for soup and their oily livers for vitamins.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8G fisheye lens, 1/60"sec @ {10, IS0 200.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Resting After a Challenging Year
Late afternoon in the region of the Ngala Tented Camp, part of the Ngala Private Game Reserve, a concession within the greater Kruger National Park, near the Orpen gate, this Leopard was preparing to rest as the sun started to set.
Leopard – Panthera pardus
Leopards embody feline beauty with stealth, infinite patience and power. A Leopard will get to within 5 m of its quarry before pouncing, taking it completely by surprise. Tremendously strong, these cats can carry a 70 kg Impala to a feeding position up in a tree
Nikon D4S, 16 megapixel resolution, FX formal, Sigma VR 50-500 mm f4.5-6.3 G lens,
focal length 140mm, 1/500 sec @f8, ISO 3600
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn