“WHAT BIG TEETH YOU HAVE!”
In Raggie Cave, a natural rock overhang with a depth of 18m, ragged tooth sharks rest while swimming in holding patterns or float together while pumping water through their gills. They are fairly tolerant of divers during daylight since they tend to hunt during the night. This allows divers who don’t threaten them to sometimes remain among them whilst the sharks swim overhead. This shark swam right over my head and the camera, allowing for an upward view into its mouth, showing the impressive array of teeth. The added element is the little fish staying out of harm’s way below the shark’s belly.
Spotted ragged-tooth shark / Sand tiger shark - Carcharias taurus
This shark has many different names including sand tiger shark, grey nurse shark, spotted ragged-tooth shark, and is a species of shark that inhabits subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. They dwell in the waters of Japan, Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean and the east coasts of North and South America. Despite its fearsome appearance and strong swimming ability, it is a relatively placid and slow-moving shark with no confirmed human fatalities. It is the most widely-kept large shark in public aquariums owing to its tolerance for captivity.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm Fisheye lens F2.8, F9 @ 1/50th sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS350 strobes on ¼ power. Taken on scuba at 18m at Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
HAVING A SMOKE BREAK
Around midday in the Masai Mara National Park, this East African Rainbow Lizard suddenly appeared from a crack in the rocks to pause for a few minutes in the sun, showing off his brilliant range of colours. A small piece of grass protruded from his mouth giving the impression of him taking a smoke break.
East African Rainbow Lizard - (Kenyan Rock Agama) - Agama lionotus
One of the most versatile lizards in Kenya, this species is of the family Agamidae. These lizards are best known for the shockingly bright colours sometimes adopted by the dominant males. Most of the time agama lizards are pretty inconspicuous creatures that are brown or grey in colour. However, when mating season rolls, around, the males turn brilliant shades of red and blue to catch the attention of their female counterparts. This unique quality has earned them many nicknames from “Rainbow Lizards” to “Spiderman Lizards”. They are relatively small, averaging about 12-18 inches in length, and because of their distinct colouration, they are sought after and kept as pets around the globe.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 –5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x, effective focal length 550 mm, 1/800 sec @ f13, ISO 500
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
FINDING NEMO
When diving, it’s quite easy to find Nemo, when you pass over a coral reef they will find you if you come too close to their home. You will know as the largest of the pair, the female, may actually charge you and even take a small bite at you, quite a surprise if you aren’t ready for this diminutive ball of energy, far smaller than a human. These two share their anemone home and can be seen taking protection among the stinging tentacles and getting ready to charge my camera dome port.
Twobar Anemonefish / Clownfish - Amphiprioninae
Clownfish or anemonefish in the wild, form symbiotic mutualisms with sea anemones and are unaffected by the stinging tentacles of the host anemone. The sea anemone protects the clownfish from predators, as well as providing food through the scraps left from the anemone’s meals and occasional dead anemone tentacles. In return, the clownfish defends the anemone from its predators and parasites. Clownfish are small-sized, 10–18cm, and depending on species, they are overall yellow, orange, or a reddish or blackish color, and many show white bars or patches. Clownfish are found in warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and in the Red Sea in sheltered reefs or shallow lagoons.
Nikon D300 Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye lens, 1/30th sec @ f18, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250,Taken at 18m on scuba at Sodwana Bay, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
FLYING COLOBUS MONKEY
Late afternoon in the Grumeti region of the Serengeti National Park, a troop of Colobus monkeys were found foraging in a very large tree. Suddenly this magnificent specimen took to the air and leaped across to a further branch.
Black and white Colobus - Colobus guereza
Large, shaggy black and white monkey with a grim expression. Sturdy, pot-bellied frame, hind legs longer and stronger than forelegs, with large feet, hands with a stub for a thumb. Their mantle hair and tails are believed to act as a parachute during long leaps. They live in troops of 8 to 15 individuals and can live to 20 years in the wild. They have been reported to eat concrete as well as unripe fruits, flowers, bark and soil. They have an incredible four-chambered stomach, allowing them to process foods that would make other primates sick. Babies are born with an all-white fur coat. They are still hunted for bush meat and their incredible fur.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 –5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC – 14 E III 1.4x, effective focal length 550mm, 1/1600 sec @ f13, ISO 1800
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Mid-morning in the Masai Mara National Park, this Zebra plunged into the Mara River together with other Zebras and Wildebeest as part of the annual migration river crossings. As the Zebra plunged into the river the resulting splash almost completely enveloped the Zebra.
Plains Zebras - Equus Quagga
African version of the horse. Portly built, weighing around 250kg. Striping varies geographically and individually. Horse-like angulates built for speed and endurance.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 –5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC – 14 E III 1.4x, effective focal length 550mm, 1/2500 sec @ f18, ISO 3600
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
GETTING IN A GOOD LOOK
Big eyes move around underwater almost like a cloud of interested youngsters, swirling with little energy as can be seen in the background whilst those with more courage come up in a group to get a good look. They were quite accommodating, allowing me to join the school provided I didn’t make sudden moves or exhale vast amounts of noisy bubbles. I love photographing these fish, when you first see them they look like a school of black and silver fish, but when the strobe lights them up the black turns out to be vivid red, a perennial crowd pleaser contrasting with the cool blues of the water. When beginner divers see the photos they ask where the bright red fish were since they only saw black and silver ones.
Crescent-tail Bigeye - Priacanthus hamrur
Priacanthus hamrur is a reef-associated species, living in tropical marine waters on outer reef slopes, rocky areas and in lagoons at depths of 8-250m. The body of the Crescent-tail Bigeye is relatively deep, strongly compressed laterally. The eyes are very large and red (even in case of silver livery). The body of these fishes go through various phases of color, and may vary from orange to entirely red or silver, or silver with broad six red bands.
Nikon D300 Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye lens, 1/400th sec @ f11, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250 strobes on ¼ power. Taken on scuba at 25m at manta reef, Tofo, Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
STINGRAY GLIDE
This stingray was found free-swimming across the reef surface in deep water and its natural curiosity brought it over to my camera. It was quite calm and resembled a magic carpet as it gracefully glided in towards me with undulations of its disk. They are gentle creatures and will often approach divers in order to satisfy their curiosity. The eye is quite visible in the photo as it gives me the once over, investigating this strange scuba creature blowing bubbles and certainly not exhibiting the grace of a creature perfectly designed for life in the ocean.
Smalleye Stingray - Megatrygon microps
TThe Smalleye Stingray measures up to 2.2m across. Rare but widely distributed, it is found in the Indo-Pacific from Mozambique to India, and to northern Australia. This species may be semi-pelagic in nature, inhabiting both deeper waters and shallow coastal reefs and estuaries. It is characterised by a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc much wider than long, a tail that is broad and flattened in front of the spine but whip-like behind, and large white spots over its back. The very wide shape of the Smalleye Stingray differs from that of most other members of its family, and may reflect a mode of swimming from bottom dwelling to mid water journeys.
Nikon D300 Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye lens, 1/50 sec @ f10, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250 strobes on ¼ power. Taken on scuba at 25m off Tofo, Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
WINDSWEPT CROWNED CRANE
Very early morning in the Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania, a flock of East African crowned cranes flew past. The straw-yellow crowned feathers were neatly blown back by the wind creating an unusual perspective.
TEast African Crowned Crane / Grey – Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum
TThe East African Crowned Crane is a slate grey colour with an elongated neck and body. The primary and secondary feathers are dark grey with chestnut markings. The cheek patches are bare, with white at the bottom and a small red patch on top. A distinctive crane with long golden crown feathers.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 – f5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 320 mm, 1/1600 sec @ f11, ISO 400
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
MOTHER'S TAXI
Late afternoon in the Grumeti region of the Serengeti National Park, this Lioness was found moving her cubs from their den to a new more secure one situated within a thick clump of bushes.
Lion - Panthera leo
Call of the African Wild, King of African Carnivores. Lionesses are low slung but large and powerful, weighing around 125kg. When prey is plentiful, Lions spend 20 hours out of 24 conserving energy, becoming active in late afternoon; hunt most actively early and late at night and for a couple of hours after daybreak. Lions can become active at any time, day or night, hungry or gorged, so that when easy opportunities to catch prey present themselves, they react immediately and take advantage. Lions kill and often eat all other carnivores, including Leopards and Cheetahs, but rarely Hyenas. Lion cubs tend to be woolly with greyish, spotted coats when born, changing to an adult coat by three months of age.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 – 5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x, effective focal length 550 mm, 1/1250 sec @ f14, ISO 2800
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Early evening on Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, this baby turtle hatchling successfully managed to emerge from the sand nest amongst over one hundred other siblings to navigate its way down to the beach to finally reach the sea, despite toppling over several times.
Green Sea Turtle - Chelonia mydas
The green turtle is a large, weighty sea turtle with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. It is named not for the colour of its shell, which is normally brown or olive depending on its habitat, but for the greenish colour of its skin. Green turtles, like other sea turtles, undertake lengthy migrations from feeding sites to nesting grounds. To nest, females leave the sea and choose an area, often on the same beach used by their mothers, to lay their eggs. They dig a pit in the sand with their flippers, fill it with a clutch of 100 to 200 eggs, cover the pit and return to the sea, leaving the eggs to hatch after about two months. The most dangerous time of a green turtle’s life is when it makes the journey from nest to sea. Multiple predators, including crabs and flocks of gulls, voraciously prey on hatchlings during this short scamper.
Nikon D4S with AF Nikon 24 – 120mm, 1.4 G ED lens at 120mm 1/320 sec @ f6.3, +0.3 EV, ISO 10000
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
DAWN BREAKING COLOUR BURST
Very early morning in the Ngorogoro Crater, as the dawn broke, a ray of light reflected off the wings and bodies of a large number of beautiful pink Lesser Flamingos.
Lesser Flamingo - Phoeniconaias minor
The Lesser Flamingo has a white and crimson plumage with a dark red bill and long stilt-like legs. These beautiful birds are common and make a distinctive “honk-honk” sound. They live nomadic lives across shallow freshwater lakes, salt pans and estuaries.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR 80-400mm, f4.5 – 5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x, effective focal length 550 mm, 1/2000 sec @ f13, ISO 2200
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL
Mid-afternoon on a river bank in the Grumeti region of the Serengeti National Park, this magnificent Nile Crocodile was found displaying its large powerful body and ferocious teeth while at the same time showing off its exquisite and beautiful scales on its body and legs.
Nile Crocodile - Crocodylus niloticus
The Nile Crocodile is common in many parts of Africa. Like all crocodiles, the Nile Crocodile is a quadruped with four short, splayed legs, a long, powerful tail, a scaly hide with rows of ossified scutes running down its back and tail, and powerful jaws. The nostrils, eyes, ears are situated on the top of the head, so the rest of the body can remain concealed underwater. The Nile Crocodile is the largest crocodilian in Africa, the male crocodile usually measures 3.5 to 5m long, but very old mature ones can grow to 5.5m or more. Typical Nile Crocodile weight is from 225 to 500kg, though large males can range up to 750kg in mass. Their mouths are filled with a total of 64 to 68 cone-shaped teeth.
Nikon D500 with Sigma 150-600mm, f5 – 6.3 DG lens with Sigma Teleconverter 1.4x TC – 1401 for Nikon, effective focal length 700 mm, 1/3200 sec @ f11, ISO 22800
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