Buzzing Bee
At Ngala tented camp is a flowering bush that emanates loud buzzing sounds as you walk past. On closer inspection I found a massive black-winged bee, vastly different to a honeybee. It was kind enough to hold still for a macro photo while performing what I later learned to be buzz pollination. If you listen carefully, you’ll notice a change in the frequency of the buzz once the bee lands on the flower and clasps the anther. It rises slightly to “middle C” as the rate at which it beats its wings changes. The bee disengages its flight muscles from the wings to reduce unnecessary wing movement and uses these muscles to shake the anthers violently. The anthers respond to the sound frequency caused by the vibrations by opening pores at their tips to shower the little insect in pollen. The carpenter bees eat the high-protein rich pollen and wipe it down their bodies to fill small sacks on their lower legs, ready to carry their plunder back to the hive.
Carpenter bee - Xylocopa
The common name “carpenter bee” derives from their nesting behaviour; nearly all species burrow into hard plant material such as dead wood or bamboo. Many species in this enormous genus are difficult to tell apart; most species are all black, or primarily black with some yellow or white pubescence. Non-professionals commonly confuse carpenter bees with bumblebees; carpenter bees are larger than honeybees, hairy, and their wings make a loud buzzing sound while flying. Carpenter bees do not produce honey but are important pollinators of crops and wild plants. While they do have quite a painful sting, they are not aggressive and only sting in defence. Individuals live independently of the others or in small groups.
Nikon D300, DX format, AF-Nikkor 105mm f 2.8 Macro lens, 1/80th sec @ f11, ISO 800
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Whale shark and bait ball
This whale shark and another were swimming near the surface, following a large bait ball of anchovies. We could see the birds diving for the small fish and when entering the water saw the shark with its attending remoras continuing to enter the ball. Although they are the world’s largest fish and seem to be expending almost no energy, it is almost impossible to keep up with them while swimming as they disappear in a moment.
Whale shark - Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. The largest confirmed individual had a length of 18.8m. 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. 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, F8 @ 1/40th sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing.
Taken on snorkel at Tofo, Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Kingfisher show-off
This photo was a triumph of different elements. The bird itself being fairly active, the moment of capture with the caterpillar piece in the air and the use of a manual focus super telephoto mirror lens.
Woodland kingfisher - Halcyon senegalensis
The woodland kingfisher is a tree kingfisher that is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 23cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel and tail. The flight of the woodland kingfisher is rapid and direct. The large bill has a red upper mandible and black lower mandible. The call of this noisy kingfisher is a loud trill, sounding like a nail run down the teeth of a comb. The woodland kingfisher is aggressively territorial, attacking intruders including humans. It has a striking display in which the wings are spread to show the white linings. It hunts from an exposed perch, often on a dead branch of a tree, or perches quietly in semi-shade while seeking food.
Nikon D7000, DX format, NIKKOR 1000mm f8 mirror lens manual focus, 1/640 sec @ f8, ISO 1000
Taken at Mala Mala, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Wild dog and dinner
This wild dog had been running with the pack when it arrived at a dam which had some waterbuck grazing on its verge. The dogs attempted to ambush the buck but to no avail as they were spotted on their approach. Instead of fleeing, the waterbuck calmly waded into the water, where upon reaching a safe distance, turned round and stared down the dogs. The dogs were out manoeuvred and sat down for a sleep while one of them, displaying its awesome painted pattern, watched lunch, just out of reach.
Wild dog - Lycaon pictus
Waterbuck - Kobus ellipsiprymnus
The African wild dog, also called the African painted dog and the African hunting dog, is a wild canine which is a native species to sub-Saharan Africa, and the largest wild canine in Africa. It is estimated that about 6,600 adults (including 1,400 mature individuals) live in 39 subpopulations that are all threatened by habitat fragmentation, human persecution, and outbreaks of disease. As the largest subpopulation probably comprises fewer than 250 individuals, the African wild dog has been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1990. The species is a specialised diurnal hunter of antelopes, which it catches by chasing them to exhaustion. Its natural enemies are lions and spotted hyenas: the former will kill the dogs where possible. Like other canids, the African wild dog regurgitates food for its young, but also extends this action to adults, as a central part of the pack’s social life. The waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. The head-and-body length is typically between 177-235cm. Waterbucks are sedentary in nature. As gregarious animals, they may form herds consisting of 6-30 individuals. These groups are either nursery herds with females and their offspring or bachelor herds. Waterbuck cannot tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabit areas close to sources of water. A grazer, the waterbuck is mostly found on grassland. Waterbuck inhabit scrub and savanna areas along rivers, lakes, and valleys. The IUCN lists the waterbuck as being of least concern.
Nikon D4, Sigma 50-500mm f4.5 – 6.3 G lens @ 500mm 1/1600 sec @ F18, ISO 4500
Taken by Mala Mala, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
What have they done to your horn?
Late afternoon in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National park, a group of four white rhinoceros emerged from the bushes, three of whom had been dehorned and one with his full horn still in place. In an effort to save the lives of rhinos in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a decision was taken to dehorn all rhinos to try and protect them from poachers. In South Africa, one rhino is slaughtered by poachers every nine hours. An anti-poaching unit now flies over the area in a helicopter to track the rhinos, who are then darted with a tranquiliser. A ground crew then move in and using a chain-saw, cut off the horn so as not to damage the face of the rhino.
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 2 040-2 260kg, females weigh in the region of 1 660kg. New-borns weigh only 65kg, equal to 4% of their mother’s weight. Mothers are equipped to protect them against all predators expect lions. Calves run in front of their mother during flight.
Head: Massive with wide, square mouth, big ears. Horns: Front horn averages 60cm, longer but thinner in female; back horn much shorter, more triangular. Colour: Slate grey to yellow-brown. Due to the increase in demand for rhino horn, for dagger handles, medicine, aphrodisiacs, the horns are now more precious than gold.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 ED lens
with Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 220 mm, 1/640 sec @ f10, ISO 2500
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Giant Moray and Squirrelfish
This eel was found maintaining station under a ledge out of the strong current at the bottom of the canyon, part of Manta reef off Tofo in Mozambique. I had done a few dives to this site and on numerous occasions had seen either one or a pair in the canyon so was looking to photograph them deep under the ledge. Their underwater colour looks more dark olive green while the squirrelfish appear white and grey until strobe light reveals their true colours. This eel was quite calm and I suspect has had encounters with divers in its environment before and hence did not try escape from the camera.
Giant Moray Eel - Gymnothorax javanicus
The giant moray is a species of moray eel and a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel; reaching up to 3m in length and 30kg in weight. Its elongated body is brownish in color. The giant moray is carnivorous and nocturnal, hunting its prey within the reef. It is known to engage in cooperative hunting with the roving coral grouper. These two fish species are complementary hunters; while the eel hunts in the reef, it may scare prey up and out of the reef, leaving them to be eaten by the grouper. Similarly, the grouper hunting above the reef may cause prey to attempt to seek refuge in the reef, where the moray may ambush them. The giant moray mainly feeds on fish and occasionally on crustaceans.
Nikon D300 Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye lens, 1/80th sec @ f11, ISO 200,
Sea & Sea Housing and Two Sea & Sea YS250 strobes on ¼ power.
Taken on scuba at 32m in the canyon, Manta reef, Tofo, Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Mobile Island
Early morning in the Ngala Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, four terrapins climbed onto the back of a large hippopotamus to sun themselves in the early morning rays.
Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
An enormous, amphibious mammal with smooth, naked skin. Inflated-looking body, supported on short, relatively thin legs, weighing in excess of three tons. Head: huge muzzle, bigger in males; eyes, nostrils, and little ears placed high on head. Teeth: canines enlarged as tusks, lower pair up to 50cm in male, kept sharp by honing against short upper pair.
Terrapin - Malaclemys
The word “terrapin” is Indian for “little turtle”. Terrapins are one of several small species of turtle (order Testudines) living in fresh or brackish water. Terrapins do not form a taxonomic unit and may not be closely related. Many belong to the families Geoemydidae and Emydidae. In general, terrapins are omnivores; they capture a variety of invertebrate prey and occasionally eat plant matter. Like sea-turtles, terrapins must find egg-laying sites. Most adult females nest annually from April through July, depending on latitude.
Nikon D500 with Sigma VR150-600mm f5.0 – 6.3G lens
with Sigma 1.4 Teleconverter, effective focal length 850 mm, 1/1250 sec @ f10, ISO 560
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
Ocean beauty
This large angelfish was quite brazen, approaching the camera and diver with curiosity quite different to that of the rock cod behind who was more intent on slouching away under the overhang. The angelfish presented its full flank, with wonderful blue accents and the clear blue spike that occurs at the bottom of the gill slits easily visible. The electric blue semicircles which appear on juveniles and after which the fish is named disappear on adults such as the one photographed.
Semicircled angelfish - Pomacanthus semicirculatus
The semicircled angelfish, Koran angelfish, blue angelfish, zebra angelfish or half-circled angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish. It is found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean at depths between 1-40m on sheltered coral reefs, where it feeds on algae, tunicates and sponges. The juveniles are very timid and difficult to approach. The juveniles occur in shallow sheltered areas, while adults show a preference for coastal reefs where there is rich coral growth which give the fish plenty of places to hide. It is typically encountered in pairs or as solitary individuals.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, F10 @ 1/100 sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea.
Taken on scuba at Tonga Beach Lodge reef, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Looking at you
Early evening in Sabi Sands, on a cloudy day, this leopard had climbed a very tall tree and chose a comfortable branch on which to lay and survey the panoramic view before him. It had been seen in the same tree for two days since eating an antelope kill. Suspected to have been left by its mother, rangers were keen to see when this adolescent would hunt for itself.
Leopard - Panthera pardus
Leopards embody feline beauty with stealth, infinite patience and power. A Leopard will get to within 5m of its quarry before pouncing, taking it completely by surprise. Tremendously strong, these cats can carry a 70kg impala to a feeding position up a tree.
Nikon D7000, DX format, Nikkor 1000mm F8 mirror lens, normal focus, 1/640 @ f8, ISO 2000
Taken at Mala Mala, Sabi Sands, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Slender sweepers and pink coral bouquet
During a dive in the beautiful blue water of the Mozambique current, I passed over a gully in the reef topped with bright pink thistle coral. As I looked down, a ball of swirling flashing greens, pinks and golds emerged, almost a living creature. This ball consisted of thousands of small sweepers, swirling together in unison, all using their big eyes to look at me and ready to bolt for cover into the gully at a moment’s notice. It was as if the ocean was presenting me with a bouquet of stunning colour, the equivalent to a landscape with colourful flowers in the world above.
Golden or slender sweeper - Parapriacanthus ransonneti
The more juvenile golden sweeper is more of a pinkish translucent colour compared with the adult. Adults have a more coppery coloured body with a bright yellow green coloured head that almost appears luminescent. In their stomach they have luminescent organs which can be seen if one looks carefully. They grow up to 10cm in length. The Golden sweeper is a nocturnal feeder and during the day they collect in large shoals under overhangs and in caves. The shoals can often be very dense and of quite some size, containing separations into sub shoals of different age groups with the adult shoals taking the safer, more preferable position.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye, F10 @ 1/100 sec, ISO 200, Sea & Sea.
Taken on scuba at Amazon reef, Tofo Mozambique
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Peek-a-boo, I see you
This Cape White-eye was quite a character, landing on these tubular extensions of a tree at the door to our chalet on the southern coast of South Africa. It would call and watch us from very close range, keeping a beady eye out for crumbs or insects drawn to the breakfast juice. It was a game of peek-a-boo as it would pop its head between the plant limb as soon as I looked at it and then withdraw from sight, popping up in a different spot with the same behaviour.
Cape White-eye - Zosterops virens
This species is about 12cm long, with rounded wings, strong legs and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts are green, and the throat an vent are bright yellow. They are very vocal and constantly keep in touch with soft trilled pee, pree or pirreee call notes. The song consists of repeated long jerky phrases of sweet reedy notes, varying in pitch , volume and tempo, usually starting off with teee teee or pirrup pirrup notes, then becoming a fast rambled jumble of notes, which may incorporate mimicked phrases of other birdcalls. This is a sociable species forming large flocks outside the breeding season. It builds a cup nest in a tree and lays 2-3 unspotted pale blue eggs. The Cape white-eye feeds mainly on insects, but also soft fleshy flowers, nectar, fruit and small grains. It readily comes to bird feeders. It is found in a wide range of densely to lightly wooded habitats in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and marginally in Mozambique. Most populations are resident, but some perform minor seasonal movements.
Nikon D300, DX format, AF-S VR-Nikkor 300mm f2.8 G lens, 1/800th sec @ f7.1, ISO 500
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
Tip-toeing across the road
Very early morning in the Ngala Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, this beautiful green chameleon tip-toed gently across the gravel road. His rotating eyes constantly checking backwards and forwards for danger.
Chameleon - Chamaeleonidae
A chameleon sits motionlessly on a tree branch. Suddenly its sticky, two-foot-long tong snaps out at 13 miles an hour, wrapping around a cricket and whipping the yummy snack back into the reptile’s mouth. Now that’s fast food dining! And the chameleon’s 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. So how exactly do chameleons change colours. 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. This eye-popping reptile really knows how to scale up the cool factor.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm f4.5 – 5.6 GED lens
with Nikon AFS Teleconverter TC-14E III 1.4x effective focal length 450 mm, 1/1000 sec @ f8, ISO 450
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
LEARNING TO KICK
Late afternoon in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, a herd of elephants were foraging for food with a number of baby elephants close to their mothers. This young elephant raised his right leg into a pose which looked as if he was about to kick a ball.
African Elephant - Loxodonta
The African Elephant is a genus comprising two living elephant species, the African Bush Elephant and the smaller African Forest Elephant. Loxodonta is one of 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
seven tons in weight. Elephants roam across much of sub-Saharan Africa, but face increasing threat from poaching, habitat loss
and conflict with humans.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80 – 400mm, f4.5-5.6G lens with Nikon 1.4 x Teleconverter,
effective focal length 250mm, 1/1250 sec @ f8, ISO 5600.
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
TRANQUILLITY
Early morning in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, a family of giraffe came down to a dam to drink and then set off gracefully with their bodies reflected in the water, creating a very tranquil scene.
Giraffe - Giraffidae giraffa
The biggest ruminant and the tallest mammal, very long neck with short, upstanding mane, high shoulders sloping steeply to hindquarters, long legs almost equal in length. Weight between one and two tons. A giraffe has just two gaits: walk and gallop, The long legs and short trunk decree an ambling walk with the entire weight supported alternatively on left and right legs, the long neck moves in synchrony to maintain balance.
Nikon D5 with Nikkor VR80 – 400mm, f4.5-5.6 GED lens with Nikon Teleconverter TC14E III 1.4x,
effective focal length 112mm, 1/640 sec @ f8, ISO 280.
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
PROUD AND PROTECTIVE MOTHER
Late afternoon in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, this female zebra and her foal were found in an open clearing. The foal stood very close to its mother who looked proudly on while keeping a protective eye on their surroundings.
Plains or Burchell’s Zebra - Equus quagga burchellii
African version of the horse. Portly build, weighing around 250kg. Colour: no gender difference; background white to buff colour; striping varies geographically and individually. Juvenile coat longer with brown stripes. One of the most numerous and successful large herbivores, adapted to a broad range of grassland habitats. First to enter tall or wet pastures, followed by wildebeests after the zebras have trampled and cropped the grass.
Nikon Z9 with Nikkor 100-400/4.5.-5.6 VR S lens with Nikon Teleconverter 2.0x,
effective focal length 380mm, 1/2000 sec @ f10, ISO 5600.
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
GROOMING TO “PURR-FECTION”
Late afternoon in the Ngala Private Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, this magnificent Leopard was found carefully grooming itself on the banks of a dry river bed.
Leopard - Panthera pardus
Leopards embody feline beauty with stealth, infinite patience and power. A leopard will get to within 5m of its quarry before pouncing, taking it completely by surprise. Tremendously strong, these cats can carry a 70kg impala to a feeding position up a tree. The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Kilogram for kilogram, it is the strongest climber of the larger cats and is capable of killing prey far larger than itself. The colouring of the leopard varies from white to bright golden brown, spotted with black spots and rosettes. The rosettes consist of groups of five to six spots arranged in a tight ring. This fierce animal has small round ears and long whiskers growing from dark spots on the upper lips. Although leopards are shy and elusive, they are found all over sub-Saharan Africa. They occupy grasslands that have trees in which they can hide and sleep during the heat of the day.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm f4.5-5.6 G lens with Nikon 1.4x Teleconverter,
effective focal length 450mm, 1/640 sec @ f9, ISO 5000.
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn
BLUE HEADED AGAMA LIZARD
This male Agama lizard was quite visible with his bright iridescent head sitting on a cairn of rocks in the De Hoop Nature Reserve enjoying the late afternoon sun. He was fearless in his position as I approached, nodding his head up and down but capable of darting into the cracks of the rock pile if threatened by an eagle or other predator. His head colour was extraordinary and very eye catching, just what he needed the females to see.
Southern Rock Agama lizard - Agama atra
The southern rock agama is a species of lizard from the family Agamidae that occurs in Southern Africa. It lives in small colonies on rocky outcrops, and the males are very conspicuous for their bright blue heads. This rather sociable agama is normally found in small groups or colonies. It grows up to about 25cm and has a thin dorsal crest that runs the length of its body. During the breeding season, the heads of the males become bright blue. The males also take to sitting on top of prominent rocks and are therefore a common sight in mountainous areas of South Africa. These active, diurnal lizards normally hunt small insects such as ants and termites. They have some ability to change colour, although not to the same extent as chameleons.
Nikon D7000 Nikkor 105mm F2.8 Macro, F32 @ 1/640th sec, ISO 2500.
Taken by hand on the Whale Trail in De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
MANTA RAY FLY-BY
The group of remoras hitches a ride underneath this ocean-going Manta Ray as it glides past the group of divers – close enough but not too close. They are gentle creatures and will often approach divers in order to satisfy their curiosity. They are so big that when they swim overhead it’s as if a cloud has blocked the sun, they move like a magic carpet in the water with unparalleled grace and speed. This one was still fairly far off, hence the blue haze in the image, but still majestic in its presence.
Manta Ray - Manta Birostris
Manta rays are large rays. The larger species, M. birostris, reaches 7m (23 ft) in width, both have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and large, forward-facing mouths. Mantas are found in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical waters. Both species are pelagic;
M. birostris migrates across open oceans, singly or in groups, while M. alfredi tends to be resident and coastal. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton, which they gather with their open mouths as they swim. However, research suggests that the majority of their diet (73%) actually comes from mesopelagic sources; that is, they are actually deep sea predators, feeding on fish and other organisms that inhabit areas of the sea between 200–1,000m below the surface. They are listed as vulnerable, threats include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and direct harvesting for their gill rakers for use in Chinese medicine. They are protected in international waters.
Nikon D300, Nikkor 10.5mm f2.8 Fisheye lens, 1/160 sec @ f8, ISO 200, Sea & Sea Housing and
Two Sea & Sea YS350 strobes on power. Taken on scuba at 27m at Amazon dive site off Tofo, Mozambique.
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
“JOE-COOL” – CHILLING OUT AFTER A HECTIC YEAR!
Early morning in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, part of the greater Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, this very young leopard cub was found on a tree branch resting up in a very casual pose while its mother was away hunting.
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 Eastern Asia. The leopard’s colour varies between individuals from pale yellowish to dark golden with dark spots grouped in rosettes. Its belly is whitish and its ringed tail shorter than its body. The pattern of rosettes is unique in each individual. Cubs have fuzzy coats with indistinct, close-set spots. Offspring become independent at around 22 months, but remain in the natal home range for some time and often get maternal handouts while struggling to become proficient hunters. Leopards are the embodiment of feline beauty, power and stealth, being long and low slung, with short muscular limbs.
Nikon D5 with Nikon VR80-400mm f4.5-5.6 G lens with Nikon 1.4x Teleconverter,
effective focal length 190mm, 1/1000 sec @ f10, ISO 9000.
Photograph by Trevor Woodburn