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
“Beady Eye Bass”
This Bass was found maintaining station under a ledge out of the strong current on the north-east undersea ridge on Aliwal Shoal. This individual is territorial and although wild, has had exposure over time to divers and just eyed the photographer as he slowly approached the dome of the camera to the eye of the rock cod. The ledge provides protection and also a base for the Goldie’s and Cleaner Wrasse to approach the Bass and eat the parasites and algae that might be growing on its skin. Whilst it is very large it doesn’t have teeth like sharks do but rather a large mouth that it sucks food into and then crushes and swallows.
Potato Bass or Grouper – Epinephelus tukula
The Potato Grouper, also called the Potato Cod or Potato Bass, is a native fish to Australia, Indian Ocean and Asian countries. It can reach a length of 2.6m and can weigh as much as 110kg. Mainly found in deep reef channels and seamounts, in current prone areas. Juveniles may be found in tide pools. They feed on reef fish, skates, crabs, and spiny lobsters and are considered to be exceedingly territorial and very aggressive towards intruders. They can be vulnerable to spear fishermen, and although hand fed by divers in certain areas, they can be potentially dangerous to the inexperienced
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 20m at Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
Photograph by Andrew Woodburn
"Laughing Leopard"
Late afternoon in the Mashatu Game Reserve in Southern Botswana, this young leopard was savouring the late afternoon sun on the soft sand of a riverbed when it suddenly rolled over several times enjoying the process and appearing to be laughing hilariously at its own antics
Leopard - Panthera pardus
Leopards rest by day and part of the night in the trees or dense undergrowth and usually only become active at dusk.
Nikon D2x 12.4 megapixel resolution, AF VR Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 D lens, focal length @ 400 mm - effective with high speed crop mode
800mm @ 6.8 megapixel resolution, 1/400th sec @ f5.6, ISO 400
Semi-finalist Image: Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year
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