Photograph Africa: The Blog of Africa Wild Safaris
Follow our adventures on safari in South Africa with host Gregory Sweeney
There is an astounding number of species to see in South Africa; many of which are very beautiful and interesting yet mostly unknown.
South Africa has two species of rhino: the White Rhino which is the largest population and most commonly seen and the Black Rhino which is not as numerous and harder to spot. The two species are distinct and here are a few of the differences most important to photographers.
The lions, cheetahs and leopards – the big cats – get a great deal of attention during safaris. Quietly hunting and living in the bush are smaller species of cats. These less celebrated cats are very interesting to see and watch and have loads of charisma.
Giraffes were abundant on my latest safari. My guests had loads of fun photographing our resident herd and those in Kruger.
For a wildlife photographer, the more you know your subject, the better informed your images will be. Knowledge helps you anticipate and interpret the natural actions of your subjects.
Elephants are very smart and interesting subjects, especially when you can pick out social behaviors – some you may recognize from our own human experience.
When lions make a kill, many species show up for dinner invited or not. Each has an order and rank and they patiently wait their turn because not many are brave enough to take on a lion who is still eating.
Photographers are unwittingly helping lead poachers right to rhinos and other endangered animals by posting photos containing GPS data or by naming specific locations where the photo was taken. Poachers can search for recent photos with geo tagged information then go right to the area where the rhino was seen.
During my guided photo safari we have some very special encounters with young animals of all species
While we sit and watch the majestic large mammals grazing and herding in front of our open safari vehicle we are not aware of a the subplot playing out around us. The ox pecker is hard at work rushing about the backs of the animals cleaning ticks and other parasites from their hides and their cries go unnoticed by us among the other noises of the bushveld.
This safari story is a short incident of two fighting giraffes that are a very exciting and vivid memory for me.
Fun to watch and fascinating, the dung beetle’s actions help prevent methane green house gas emission and they roll their balls fixing their positions to the sun and stars.