Here’s another look at a genet. They are commonly called genet cats, but aren’t really cats at all and are more closely related to mongooses. This one came creeping around our camp one night in Botswana. We were actually at dinner and luckily, I brought my camera along in case of just such a thing.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 640, f/4 at 1/60th of a second, two SB-900 flash units on off camera bracket
It’s been a while since I posted a meerkat. Here’s one that was running straight toward my camera. As usual when I get the chance, I was face down on the ground. It was a challenge capturing focus on these little guys — they’re pretty quick — but I was able to get quite a few shots like this during my three day stay at Makgadikgadi Pan in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 400, f/8 at 1/1000th of a second
A springbok stops to pose for the camera in front of the rising sun in the Kalahari Desert.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 160mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second
Here’s another one of spotted hyenas playing keep away with a pair of impala horns. This was taken first thing in the morning in a swampy area of northern Botswana. The light was very low, as was my shutter speed, so I was hoping for the hyenas to run parallel to me so that I could pan with their movement to capture some relatively sharp, motion-blurred action shots.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm), f/4 at 1/80th of a second
The oryx is a mysterious creature, some believing that it is the antelope on which the unicorn is based. The oryx, of course, has two straight horns, rather than just one, but I can see where the comparison makes sense.
Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/13th of a second
This was the last morning of our trip to Botswana. Much like the first five mornings, a big orange sun rose at six a.m. into a cloudless sky. The sun was still low enough for some decent shots when we came across a solitary giraffe. I was hoping the big guy would entertain us with a drink at the water hole, but he seemed a bit timid, perhaps because he was on his own in an open area and sensed danger. Giraffes put themselves in a vulnerable position when they splay their legs and take the considerable effort to quench their thirst. Instead, I took a few portraits and we moved on.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 130mm) ISO 560, f/22 at 1/20th of a second
We ran into this leopard several times during our six days in Botswana. On this encounter, she was sitting in a sausage tree waiting for impala to walk beneath to eat the flowers that had fallen on the ground. From the reports we heard back at the camp, we just missed the action. She sat patiently for hours until a small herd, noses to the ground, came foraging for the flowers. Then she dropped from the tree and killed one of the unsuspecting impala. We would later catch up with her again with the fresh kill.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 300mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/500th of a second
2013 was a decent year for me and wildlife spotting, especially considering all the other things I had going on this year (getting married and all does take a bit of one’s time and I didn’t get out there quite as much as in past years). That being said, below are a few of the highlights from throughout the year.
The year started out great with a trip to Boundary Bay, near Vancouver, for snowy owls
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm), ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/400th of a second
Springtime brought me to northern Minnesota and close encounters with black bears.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/4 at 1/640th of a second
In July we took a weekend trip down to Key Biscayne in Florida where I ran into a few scavenging raccoons at Bill Baggs State Park.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/160th of a second
The wedding was in August, and what would the honeymoon be without a little time set aside for wildlife. In Botswana, spotting a rarity like a pangolin was certainly a highlight. The fact that that pangolin was being stalked by a leopard definitely made it a highlight of not only 2013, but of my wildlife photography career.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/100th of a second
And in November, a work trip took me out to Zion National Park in Utah for the weekend, where I ran into this fine looking grey fox late one afternoon. Here’s hoping that 2014 brings many more great encounters from around the US and the world.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 3200, f/4 at 1/160th of a second
The lilac breasted roller has few rivals as the most colorful bird in Africa. It also happens to be a fairly common bird. I was able to get a few shots of this one perched on a branch before if flew off.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 270mm) ISO 400, f/7.1 at 1/1600th of a second
Late in the afternoon toward the end of our Botswana trip, we came across a large troop of baboons. Most of them scattered upon the approach of our vehicle, but several stood their ground, including this mother and her baby. There were lots of other babies as well, all curiously peeking around their mothers to get a better look at us.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second