Cheetah Stretch
Just as it became light enough to see, this cheetah arose from beneath a Karoo bush and slouched to an old anthill. It was cold and misty and the cheetah assessed her surroundings for prey or predator before having an almighty stretch from the tip of her tail to the top of her head. And so the day began – getting going to hunt for breakfast amongst the scrub thorn on the flat karoo plains.
Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus
A Cheetah is a cat with a greyhound chassis. It is built for speed, is light boned, swaybacked with long thin legs and a short neck. Cheetah are tawny in colour with small, solid black spots; white underparts, outer tail ringed black and white, black ear backs, lips, nose and distinctive “tear stains”. Cheetahs are specialised predators on the fleetest of plains antelopes.
Nikon D4 with Sigma 50-500mm f4.5 – 6.3G, 1/250 sec @ F8, ISO 9000.
Taken at Samara Game Reserve
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Supportive
Mid-morning in the Chobe National Park, Botswana, a herd of elephants were on the move. Two young elephants teamed up, with the older of the two resting his trunk on the baby in front. It looked as if either the baby was supporting the older elephant’s trunk or the older elephant was providing directional support for the baby.
African Elephant - Loxodonta
he African Elephant is a genus comprising of two living elephant species, the African Bush Elephant and the smaller African Forest Elephant. Loxodonta is one of the two existing genera of the family Elephantidae, the other being Asiatic Elephants. The name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth. African Elephants are the world’s largest land animals and can weigh up to 7 tons in weight. Elephants roam across most of sub-Saharan Africa, but face increasing threat from poaching, habitat loss and conflict with humans.
Nikon D4s with Nikon VR 600 f4 G lens with
Nikon 1.4x, Teleconverter, effective focal length 850 mm, 1/4000 sec @ f14, ISO 11400
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Too many to count”
This large school of Moorish idols mix in the light current off the reef wall as a large ball, relying on the collective experience that a large mass of many will intimidate predators and confuse them as to which fish to target as a meal. In this instance, the shoal phenomenon works so well it’s almost as if there are “too many to count” and their regal patterns break up their outline making it very difficult to discern where one fish
starts and another ends.
Moorish idol - Zanclus cornutus
Moorish idols are strikingly beautiful. They have thick black and white vertical stripes and finer yellow colorations on their face and rears. Most notable are the elongated white dorsal fins, which extend far beyond their tails. Although very similar in appearance to some species of butterflyfish, the Moorish idol can be easily distinguished by its black, triangular anal fin. Moorish idols hunt small invertebrates along coral and rocky reefs using their pronounced snouts. They also feed on sponges and coral polyps. After hatching, Moorish idols have a comparatively long larval stage during which the young fish live in the open ocean. This long period of time allows the larvae to spread widely. This makes the Moorish idol quite unusual, as it has almost no geographic variations in its colouring. Moorish idols got their name from the Moors, an ancient African civilization who believed this fish was a source of happiness.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, F10 @ 1/100 sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea.
Taken on snorkel at Mnemba Island off Zanzibar, Tanzania
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Three Eyes
Very early morning in the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, East Africa, these three Golden Jackals were scavenging around a lion kill looking for scraps to eat. They stopped for a few moments and grouped together with an eye from each peering out on the open plains.
Golden Jackal - Canis aureus
The common jackal of the East African Plains looks like a small coyote with long pointed snout and big, pointed ears. Their colour varies geographically, seasonally and individually, usually golden to silver-grey. Their limbs are redder than their torsos. Their tails tips, nose and mouth are typically black, underparts and head markings white, eyes amber–coloured.
New-borns are nearly black in colour. Often the most vicious carnivore on the East African plains, eats carrion and
kills of other predators.
Nikon D500 with Sigma 150-600 mm f5.0 – 6.3 G lens with Sigma 1.4 x Teleconverter
effective focal length 850 mm, 1/2000 sec @ f13, ISO 8000
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Wow!”
Early morning in the Sandibe region in Botswana, this leopard was sitting up in a tree when he lifted up his head, appearing surprised at the arrival of our vehicle below.
Leopard - Panthera pardus
The Leopard is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, and small parts of Western and East Asia. The Leopard’s skin colour varies between individuals from pale yellowish to dark golden with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its belly is whitish and its ringed tale shorter than its body. The pattern of rosettes is unique in each individual. Leopards are the embodiment of feline beauty, power and stealth, being long and low strung, with muscular limbs.
Nikon D4 with Nikon VR 600 f4.G lens
with Nikon 1.7x Teleconverter, effective focal length 1000 mm, 1/1000 sec @ f8, ISO 4000, - 0.7 EV
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
REMINISCING – AN EYE FOR THE ‘MANE’ CHANCE
As the sun was rising over the Timbavati Game Reserve, this magnificent Lion was enjoying the warmth cast by the early morning rays of sunlight. This image was the first cover of the Woodburn Mann wildlife calendar back in 2006, and is an iconic representation of African wildlife; the King of the Continent.
Lion - Panthera leo
The Leopard is one of the five extant species in the genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, and small parts of Western and East Asia. The Leopard’s skin colour varies between individuals from pale yellowish to dark golden with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its belly is whitish and its ringed tale shorter than its body. The pattern of rosettes is unique in each individual. Leopards are the embodiment of feline beauty, power and stealth, being long and low strung, with muscular limbs.
Call of the Africa Wild, King of African Carnivores. Low but large and powerful, weighing between 190 and 260kg. Coat: short except for tail tuft and male’s mane: appearing during his third year, maximum development at five years. While prey is plentiful, Lions spend 20 hours out of 24 conserving energy, becoming active in late afternoon; hunt most actively at night and for a couple of hours after daybreak. Lions cam 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 open eat all the other carnivores, including Leopards and Cheetahs, but rarely Hyenas.
Nikon D2X digital 12-4 MP, AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 D Lens, focal length @ 180mm, 1/180th sec @ f5, ISO 100
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Klipspringer on point
During the hot early evening on a game drive in the Sabie Sands, this klipspringer was seen resting high-up on the point of a rocky outcrop called a “koppie”. With its back to the sun it was using stillness and height to keep watch for predators, while simultaneously catching the last rays of the setting sun before the chill of the African
evening settled in.
Klipspringer - Oreotragus oreotragus
The name Klipspringer is Afrikaans for ‘rock jumper’ and alludes to the animal’s ability in rocky territory where it can be seen moving freely, seemingly on tiptoe. It is a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The sole member of its genus, the klipspringer was first described by German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann in 1783. The unique pelage (fur coat) insulates the body from temperature extremes and helps to conserve moisture. It protects the klipspringer from heat loss by trapping body-warmed air amongst the coat while the flatness and looseness of the individual hairs allow for increased heat reflection and loss when it’s hot. Weighing 11-13kg and standing 500-600mm high at the shoulders, this is a small and stocky antelope. Klipspringers walk on the tips of their hoofs, which have long, narrow soles and blunt rounded tips. The rounded hoofs are an adaptation to the rocky terrain it inhabits.
Nikon D4, Sigma 50-500mm F4.5 – 6.3 G lens @ 500mm 1/1600 sec @ F16, ISO 4500.
Photograph at Mala Mala
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Courting Crowned Cranes
Very early morning in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, several Crowned Cranes were foraging in the swamps. Here a male is displaying his beautiful plumage in a courting ritual.
East African Crowned Crane / Grey Crowned Crane - Balearica regulorum
The 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 VR80-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 GED lens with
Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 350 mm, 1/1000 sec @ f8, ISO 400
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
The Hunter: Flying into the future
Mid-morning in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, this magnificent young Martial Eagle with its long talons, launched itself from the branches of a high tree. The image is symbolic of our company, a head-hunting firm entering into its fifth decade.
Martial Eagle - Polemaetus bellicosus
Martial Eagles are the largest of the African Eagles and incredibly powerful, capable of knocking an adult man off his feet. Martial Eagles can weigh up to 6.5kg and have a wing span of up to 2.4m. Juvenile Martial Eagles are distinct in plumage with a pearly grey colour with considerable white edging, as well as a speckled grey on crown and hind neck. The entire underside is conspicuously white. The eyes of juveniles are dark brown whereas adults are yellow.
Nikon D5 wth Nikon VR 80-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 G ED lens with Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC- 14E III 1.4
effective focal length 410mm, 1/3200 sec @ f13, ISO 1400
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Brown Rhino & Blue Bird”
This big daddy rhino seemed quite comfortable grazing and moving along on a ridge almost above our safari vehicle, allowing me to get an on-the-level photo of him. Whilst all this was happening an equally interested 3rd party in the form of a starling was joining the rhino for his morning breakfast in order to feast on any ticks and other insects he disturbed as he walked and grazed, these insects would fly up when disturbed only for themselves to become breakfast.
White Rhino - Ceratotherium simum
Cape Glossy Starling - Lamprotornis nitens
White rhinos are the second largest land mammal after the elephant. Adult males can reach 1.85m in height and tip the scales at a massive 3.6 tonnes. White rhinos have almost no hair and two horns. The front horn averages 60cm, but occasionally reaches 150cm in length. Adult males defend territories of roughly 1-3km2, which they mark with vigorously-scraped dung piles. White rhinos are the only grazer among the five rhino species, feeding almost exclusively on short grasses. They primarily inhabit grassy savanna and woodlands interspersed with grassy clearings.
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Sturnidae. Many Asian species, particularly the larger ones, are called mynas, and many African species are known as glossy starlings because of their iridescent plumage. The species feeds on the ground and in trees on fruit and insects; often it scavenges from people or in this case from a rhino.
Nikon D4, Sigma 50-500mm f4.5 – 6.3 G lens @ 500mm 1/1600 sec @ F18, ISO 4500.
Photograph at Mala Mala
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
On the Hunt
Late afternoon in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, a pack of Wild Dogs were on the hunt. This particular dog was running through the bush and together with other members of the pack brought down an impala which they quickly consumed before returning to their den to feed their hungry pups.
African Wild Dog - Lycaon pictus
The Latin for Wild Dog is Lycaon pictus or “Painted Wolf”. Like the Wolf, the Wild Dog is a nomad and a formidable pack hunter. Unlike its distant relative, each Wild Dog has a distinctive pattern of black, orange-brown and white markings, so that no two Wild Dogs are the same, the only common feature being the white tail tip. The Wild Dog is one of the most maligned creatures in the wild. Whereas the species formerly occurred extensively throughout Southern Africa, it is now the only endangered species of canid in the region. In truth, Wild Dogs live an exemplary and democratic domestic life.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 GED lens
with Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 220 mm, 1/2500 sec @ f16, ISO 5000
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
A new day dawns
Very early morning in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, these two Giraffes faced each other, with a small bird on the neck of one of them, as the sun slowly started to rise on the horizon.
Giraffe - Giraffa Camelopardalis
The Giraffe is Africa’s largest ruminant and tallest mammal, large males can weigh up to 2 tons and stand at a height of up to 5.5m. An interesting anatomical aspect is the Giraffe’s 45cm prehensile tongue and modified atlas-axis joint that lets it extend its head vertically to increase its height advantage.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm lens
with Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 112 mm, 1/640 sec @ f6.3, ISO 100
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Finding Nemo”
When diving, it’s quite easy to find Nemo, since as you pass over a coral reef they will find you if you come too close to their home. You will know it since 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 the photographer’s camera dome port.
Two bar 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, 10–18 cm, and depending on species, they are overall yellow, orange, or a reddish or blackish colour, and many show white bars or patches. Colour variations occur between species, most commonly according to distribution, but also based on sex, age, and host Anemone. Clownfish are found in warmer waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea in sheltered reefs or in shallow lagoons. In a group of Clownfish, a strict dominance hierarchy exists. The largest and most aggressive fish is female and is found at the top. Only two Clownfish, a male and a female, in a group reproduce through external fertilization. Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they develop into males first, and when they mature, become females.
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
“The Long and Short of it”
Early morning in the Phinda Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, this mother and juvenile Rhinoceros stopped briefly to show off their respective horns.
White Rhinoceros – Ceratotherium simum
A gentle giant, the biggest land mammal after Elephants (though outweighed by the Hippopotamus). Almost double the weight of a Black Rhinoceros, with pronounced shoulder hump. Males weigh in the region of 2 040 to 2 260 kg, females in the region of 1 600 kg. Newborns weigh only 65 kg, equal to 4% of mother’s weight. Mothers are equipped to protect them against all predators except Lions. Calves run in front of mother during flight. Head: massive with wide, square mouth, big ears.
Horns: The front horn averages 60 cm in males and is longer but thinner in females. The back horn is much shorter and more triangular.
Colour: slate grey to yellow-brown. Due to the increase in demand for Rhino horn, (for dagger handles, medicine, and aphrodisiacs) they are now more precious than gold.
Nikon D2xs, AF VR-Nikkor 80-400 mm, f4.5-5.6 D lens, focal length at 80 mm, equivalent to 120 mm, 1/125th sec @ f5, ISO 800
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Turtle time”
This turtle was found happily munching away on a sponge growing on an undersea ridge on Aliwal Shoal. The ridge creates strong water flow delivering food which the sponge uses to grow and the turtle seemed to have no problems holding his breath while tearing pieces off the sponge for a meal. One diver was even able to take a selfie next to the turtle whilst he continued his meal. After what seemed an age he lazily headed for the surface for his next breath only to descend and continue where he left off.
Green Turtle – Chelonia mydas
On the Green Turtle there are only four shell plates either side of the central row and plates do not overlap – the loggerhead has five. Females are usually darker than males, the shell appearing almost tie-dyed in rich browns and ochres. The forelimbs have a single claw each and the bill is not hooked. Green turtles are resident in southern Africa however, they do not nest on our shores. The nearest breeding grounds are on the islands of Europa and Tromelin in the Mozambique Channel. The females lay only 600 eggs each season in batches of 150 every 12 days. Adults feed almost exclusively on algae and marine plants often entering estuaries to do so. Green Turtles are under threat from hunting and egg collection.
Nikon D300 Nikkor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, F10 @ 1/50th sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250 strobes on ¼ power. Taken on scuba at 10m at Aliwal Shoal, South Africa.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
“Colourful Cuttlefish”
While diving deep on Giants Castle reef off Tofo, Mozambique, the photographer glided along a sponge-encrusted reef wall hoping for Manta Rays to swim overhead. This Cuttlefish was curiously investigating the photographer, while blending with the background of the reef. The Cuttlefish is able to flash different colours and designs and uses this, plus its well-known intelligence and good eyesight, to remain undetected or, if need be, using jet propulsion to make a rapid getaway.
Cuttlefish – Sepia latimanus
Cuttlefish are marine animals of the order Sepiida belonging to the class Cephalopoda (which also includes squid, octopuses and nautiluses). Despite their name, Cuttlefish are not fish but molluscs. Recent studies indicate that Cuttlefish are among the most intelligent invertebrates. Cuttlefish also have one of the largest brain-to-body size ratios of all invertebrates. The origin of the word Cuttlefish can be found in the old English term cudele, which derived in the 15th century from the Norwegian koddi (cushion, testicle) and the Middle German kudel (pouch), a good description of the cephalopod’s shape. Cuttlefish have an internal shell (the cuttlebone), large W-shaped pupils, and eight arms and two tentacles furnished with denticulated suckers with which they secure their prey.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5 mm, f2.8G fisheye lens, 1/40th sec @ f11, ISO 200
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
"Confrontation"
Early morning in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, this mating Lion got a major surprise when the Lioness took exception, snarled and snapped at the Lion in disagreement. The Lion jumped and grimaced at the unexpected attack.
Lion - Panthera leo
Call of the African Wild, King of African Carnivores. Low, but large and powerful, weighing between 190 and 260 kg.
Coat: short except for tail tuft and male's mane, appearing during his third year, maximum development at five years.
While 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 the other carnivores, including Leopards and Cheetahs, but rarely Hyenas.
Nikon D3s, 12.1 megapixel resolution, FX format, AF VR-Nikkor 80-400 mm f4.5-5.6 D lens
focal length at 160 mm 1/2000th sec @ f8, ISO 1800
Semi-finalist Image: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011, Natural History Museum, London
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
“Bottlenose Dolphins and Bubbles”
Wild Bottlenose Dolphins have become habituated to humans in their environment.
Dolphins swim right up to snorkellers with intense interest and even looks of curiosity and a faint smile at how un-coordinated and helpless humans are in water. As they rise to the surface they blow bubbles as signatures or splash around on the surface as a form of communication.
Inshore Bottlenose Dolphin - Tursiops truncates
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins are small cetaceans that have a long, beak-like snout, a falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fin, and sharp teeth. They are Odontoceti (toothed whales) and have one blowhole. They live in small groups called pods and grow to be at most 3.7 m long, sometimes weighing more than 635 kg. Dolphins can dive down to more than 300 m and can jump up to 6 m out of the water.
Nikon D70 10.5 megapixel resolution, AF Sigma 10-20mm D lens,
housed in Sea & SEA D70 housing, 1/160th sec @ f6.3, ISO 200, at 20mm, taken while breath-holding at a depth of 2m about 2km from shore in Southern Mozambique.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
“Resting after the hunt”
Shortly after sunrise near Kirkman’s Camp in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa, these two Cheetah brothers were resting after their strenuous hunt for a young Impala.
Cheetah – Acinonyx jubatus
A cat with a greyhound chassis. Built for speed: light-boned, swaybacked, long, thin legs and short neck, weighs between 35 kg and 65 kg. Colour: tawny, with small solid black spots; white underparts; outer tail ringed black and white; black ear backs, lips, nose and distinctive “tear stains”. Hunting Cheetahs employ several strategies to approach Antelope, depending on terrain, species and behaviour of the animals. Although top speed is an incredible 112 km/h, a Cheetah can on ly sprint 300 m before rising temperature and oxygen debt force it to quit. Average speed during a chase is around 64 km/h
Nikon F5, AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f2.8 lens, Fujichrome Velvia 50.
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 the photographer to join the school provided no sudden moves were made, or vast amounts of noisy bubbles were exhaled. the photographer loves photographing these fish since when you see them first 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 and rocky areas as well as in lagoons at depths of 8 to 250 meters. 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 mouth is oblique with a protruding lower jaw and small conical teeth. The bodies of these fish go through various phases of colour, which may vary from orange to entirely red, entirely silver, or silver with six broad 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
"Evening Stroll"
Early evening at the Pafuri bridge in the far northern region of the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, this large Elephant strolled across the river as the golden rays of the setting sun bathed the river water in a golden glow.
Elephant - Loxodonta africana
The largest land animal, Africa's true King of the Beasts, weighs up to 6 000 kg (male) and 3 500 kg (female), and height up to 3.3m (male) and 2.5m (female). The trunk is a muscular extension of the upper lip containing the nostrils, and the tip is equipped with two fingerlike projections for handling small objects. The Elephant has huge ears, measuring up to 1.5m, and it flaps its ears on still, hot days which helps cool blood flowing through a network of veins on the back surface of the ears. Elephant's tusks grow continuously, can weigh up to 130 kg each and can reach a length of about 2.5m.
Nikon 2x, 12,3 megapixel resolution, DX format, AF-S VR-Nikkor 200-400 mm, f4G lens with Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E11 1,4x, focal length 550 mm, equivalent to 825 mm, 1/2000th sec @ f5.6, ISO 800
Semi-finalist Image: Wildlife Photographer of the year 2010, Natural History Museum, London
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn