“Keeping an Eye on the Water Level”
Late afternoon this Elephant decided to cross the Chobe River, Botswana. As it swam into deeper water its beady eye kept a close watch on the water level.
Elephant – Loxodonta africana
The African Savanna (Bush) elephant is the world's largest land animal – with adult males, or bull Elephants, reaching a height of 3m and weighing up to 6 000kg on average. At birth, a baby Elephant can weigh in the region of 120kg. Males only reach their full size at 35-40 years which is well over half their lifespan as wild Elephants can live for up to 60 - 70 years.
Trunks: Elephants have around 150,000 muscle units in their trunk. Their trunks are perhaps the most sensitive organ found in any mammal. They use them to suck up water to drink (the trunk is able to contain up to 8 litres of water) and also use them as a snorkel when swimming.
Tusks: Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth which first appear when Elephants are around 2 years old. Their tusks continue growing throughout their lives and are used to help with feeding, prising bark off trees or digging up roots, or as a defense when fighting. As these beautiful tusks are made out of much desired ivory, Elephants are often poached for their tusks.
Nikon D7000, Sigma VR 150-500mm f4.5-6.3 G lens @ 150mm
Exposure Compensation - _.3 EV, 1/250 sec @ f8, ISO 800
Photograph by Avril 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 only 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
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