Tanzania – a land of relentless wildlife beauty.
If Looks Could Kill – A very close leopard stares with intensity from its grassy hiding place. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Beth and I had the good fortune to travel in Tanzania on a photography safari. So much wildlife, it made my head spin. Wildlife at every turn on the dirt roads, of which there are thousands of miles. How the guides manage to navigate the terrain with no signs or maps and in Ndutu no roads at all, is an impressive skill. We photographed in Lake Manyara National Park, Ndutu Region, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater (see map).
Tanzania Africa
Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park,
The weather was hot, dry and dusty (a real challenge keeping the camera gear free of dust), but clear for wildlife photography. Twelve days of game drives in safari vehicles that were specially fitted for just 2 photographers. Since it was Beth and I together in one vehicle, I essentially had the entire vehicle to myself for my photography. The vehicle had an open roof with no “pop top” – a real advantage in that there were no roof posts to get in the way of the visibility or camera sweeps. With three camera bodies with lenses (Sony A7R3, Canon 5D4, Canon 7D2, Canon 500 mm F/4, Sony 100-400 GM F/4.5-6.3, Canon 24-105 F/4 ), I could shoot in any direction in seconds notice.
Rich in His Safari Vehicle
Classic Shots
There are two classic photographs that I wanted to capture: 1) Acacia tree at sunrise and 2) the Lilac Breasted Roller bird in flight.
Serengeti Sunrise – The sun rises over the Serengeti grassland under an Acacia tree. Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti Sunrise image took 5 attempts, 5 mornings in a row. One must have the right location, the right camera lens, the right distance from the tree, the right clouds, the right camera settings and the sun in the right position relative to the Acacia. And a lota luck! It finally came together in the Serengeti National Park with the expert help of my guide, James, on the 5th attempt.
Beautiful Lilac Breasted Roller in flight with wings down. Ndutu, Tanzania
The lilac breasted roller is a difficult bird to photograph in flight. It flies quickly and erratically. While standing in the safari vehicle we drove through its habitat and scanned for the bright, beautiful blue colors of the roller in the trees. Trying not to disturb the bird we would drive as close as we dared. Then we waited for the bird to fly. I was rewarded with this flight shot. Wings down is my favorite position
The Safari Guides
The safari was organized by Roger Clark, a friend and fellow member of the Mile High Wildlife Photo Club. Roger contracted with Roy Safaris (Arusha, TZ), who provided the vehicles, the guides and the incredible expertise for finding and identifying wildlife (all their guides must graduate from Wildlife Guiding College). This was Roger’s eighth trip to Tanzania.
Our Guide James
The safari guides for the four vehicles in our group.
World Class Accommodations
Brunch in the Bush
After an early morning game drive (start at 6 am to get into position for the sunrise shots) of several hours we would regroup, circle our “wagons” and have brunch in the bush.
Brunch in the Bush
Navigating the Family Tree
We watched (seemed like hours – we came back several times to see them) a mother leopard and her cub move around in the limbs of a tree. When it came time for them to descend the leopardess climbed down with agility and poise. The cub however, was reluctant to climb down. We could see the hesitation as it seemed to be judging the distance and the difficulty. Finally it descended with no problems. Mom must have been proud. Interesting how the tails are straight, up and at a slight angle for balance.
Navigating the Family Tree – A leopardess first and then her cub descend a tree that has seen much family activity. Serengeti National Park.
Ngorongoro Crater
For many years I have been hearing about this famous crater for its wildlife. I was excited to experience this seemingly magical place. It did not disappoint. The crater, also know as a volcanic caldera is 17 km across and has a flatish bottom. One can stand in the safari vehicle and look across the crater in any direction and can see wildlife almost to the far rim. While wildlife can move in and out of the crater, it does act like a natural fence that creates a concentration of animals. It is famously known as the home of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, cape buffalo). I was not interested in photographing the Big Five as an objective, since there are so many beautiful birds and other wildlife to photograph. But when reviewing my images, I did realize that I had captured the Big Five.
180 Degree Surround Panorama
Surround 180 degree Panorama, Ngorongoro Crater; Click on image, Click again on circular arrow, Click and Drag.
Heron on a Hippo
We were eating brunch by a pond after a morning game drive when I watched a grey heron fly over us and land on the back of a hippo in the pond. I jumped up, grabbed my camera and ran to the pond’s edge to photograph this unusual sight. Then the heron jabbed down into the water and came up with a fish. What a surprise to me and the fish.
Catch on a Hippo – A grey heron catches a fish while standing on the back of a hippopotomus. Ngorongoro Crater.
The Black Rhino
The black rhino is critically endangered, because of the rising demand of rhino horn. There are only about two dozen rhinos in the crater, so seeing one is an event to be remembered. We did see one black rhino, but it was a long shot.
Canon 7D Mark2, Canon 500 mm lens+2x TC or 1600 effective millemeters:
Black Rhino, Ngorongoro Crater
The Serval Cat
What is a Serval Cat? Basically a wild cat. I had never seen one, not even in a zoo. I never expected to see on in the wild since they are very stealthy. But on the way back to the lodge, one dashed across the road right in front of our vehicle. I jumped up and started shooting as the cat slipped through the tall grass. With a one second of look-back, I was able to get this image. What luck!
Serval Lookback – A rare Serval cat slips away stealthly but turns to look back through the grass. Ngorongoro Crater
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