Dwarf Mongoose
Less favorable light than I typically like to shoot in, but at least I was able to get a clean background for this dwarf mongoose in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Interesting fact about the dwarf mongoose — they have a mutualistic relationship with hornbills (like the one I posted on February 8th). They will forage alongside each other in order to warn one other of any approaching predators. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/1600th of a second.
Southern Yellow Hornbill
The southern yellow hornbill lives in southern Africa from Namibia in the west to Mozambique in the east. I photographed this one in Botswana. They are large birds and spend most of their waking hours on the ground, foraging for insects. At night, they find a spot high in a tree to stay away from any would-be predators. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 350mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/200th of a second.
Honey Badger at Dusk
I spotted this honey badger on the prowl well after the sun had set on the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. I was forced to use a low shutter speed in the dim light, but he/she stopped just long enough to allow me to capture a portrait. The lack of light, combined with the dry desert conditions, made for an almost monochromatic exposure. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 1600, f/4 at 1/60th of a second.
Pronking Springbok
When a herd of springbok are on the run, individuals within the herd will randomly spring up into the air. This is called pronking and it’s a way of telling any nearby predators that the pronking springbok is more healthy and fit than the others. A good way of saying don’t try to eat me, eat my friend here instead who can’t jump as high. Photographed in the Kalahari desert in Botswana. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/6.3 at 1/800th of a second.
Leopard
A leopard eyes a herd of approaching impala from her hiding spot up in a tree. She would later drop from the tree onto the unsuspecting impala. I would later go back to camp for lunch and miss all the action. You never know what might happen on safari, but patience is usually a good thing. Lesson learned. Photographed in Botswana. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/640th of a second.
Mothers and Their Babies From Around the World
Always a bonus to capture wild mothers with their babies. Here are a few from around the globe:
Lion mothers with their cubs, Botswana (Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 240mm, ISO 400, f/5.6 at 1/400th of a second).
Coastal brown bear and cubs, Alaska (Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 400mm, ISO 800, f/4 at 1/2000th of a second).
Hanuman langur mother with baby, India (Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 350mm, ISO 800, f/4 at 1/400th of a second).
And Bennett’s wallaby mom with her joey, Tasmania (Nikon D810 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens at 340mm, ISO 1600, f/4.5 at 1/1000th of a second).
Gemsbok
The gemsbok is a large antelope in the genus Oryx. The name gemsbok is an Afrikaans word which is derived from a Dutch word — that word being chamois. For those paying attention, you might remember the chamois (which is a European antelope) I posted last week. The gemsbok doesn’t really look anything like the chamois, but I suppose to early Dutch explorers it was close enough. When I was on safari in the Kalahari desert of Botswana, I was the only person staying at the camp. This made it easy to get out of the vehicle for ground level shooting when appropriate. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/15th of a second.
Honey Badger Portrait
I wish those distracting twigs weren’t in this image, but I really liked the look on the honey badger’s face. A very human expression. My guide and I built a makeshift blind out of old boxes in anticipation of the honey badger’s arrival on his afternoon rounds. I was able to get a nice series of shots before he continued on his way, deeper into the Kalahari desert of Botswana. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/250th of a second.