Another Wonderful Safari Concluded

by Gregory Sweeney

We have just concluded another great safari with a great group of people. For me one of the highlights was watching the three cheetahs who were resting after finishing their kill. One slumbered in the shade while another playfully climbed a termite mound then pounced down on his brother. It was such a joy to join them under the trees and watch them all around us being cats: scratching on a tree, grooming, and napping.

The rains were good during the past season and the warm temperatures lingered. The animals were all in very good condition and plentiful. In Kruger we encountered many elephant families and some white rhino and of course the dramas of the impala rutting season. The guests and I had fun with some extreme use of flash extenders and even fashioned an improvised pole camera for use on a caracal. This was a most wonderful adventure and I look forward to my next visit.

No one who has merely seen the giraffe (outside of Africa) can form the least idea of its beauty in its native land." Source: In the Heart of Africa, by Sir Samuel White Baker, (1821-1893)

Favorite Safari Moments by Safari Guest, Paul Yarnall

This shot was one of many taken during an impromptu "giraffe drive" right on the Bona Ntaba property. Greg gathered up our group into the vehicle one afternoon and we drove off looking for 'heads above the trees'. It didn't take long to find a group of five that these two juveniles were part of. Giraffes are curious animals and if not startled will often watch and linger rather than run off. The young ones were fully engaged in what could only be called "youthful goofing around". The various facial expressions and positions they took while playing were priceless to watch and great fun to photograph. While we saw great numbers of giraffe at a great many different locations, this one event was by far the best. Like all things photographic, you never know when the good shots will be in front of you, you just have to be ready. Giraffes were my favorite subjects during our great adventure in South Africa.

How Paul Got this Image

I would normally shoot animal shots, especially handheld, using shutter priority but wanted to preserve maximum sharpness and reasonable DOF. Noting that the shutter speed was somewhat above the old "1 over the focal length" minimum and trusting to the IS (image stabilization) of the lens too helped me keep the effects of camera movement minimized resulting in the image sharpness I demand.

	Gear Bag: Canon 1Ds mk3 EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens 1/500 @ f 8 (+1/3 exposure bias from camera exp) ISO 800
	See more of Paul's Africa Images and his other photography on is website: www.ImagesbyPYarnall.com

Fun Giraffe Facts

• There are 9 species of giraffe each with a distinct pattern of markings
• They eat up to 75 pounds of food a day (typically Acacia leaves)
• Acacia trees are their favorite food
• Their tongue is 18 inches long
• The plants that a giraffe feeds on have a way to defend against being stripped of all its leaves. It can detect that it is being eaten and will emit a bad tasting chemical. The giraffe will then move to another tree. The trees have also evolved a way to detect that their neighbor is reacting to being eaten. The neighboring tree also releases the bad tasting substance so it will not be eaten bare. This is why you see the giraffe quickly move from tree to tree.

Every visit to South Africa is different and gives me new topics and beautiful images. I look forward to sharing them with you after our next adventure in October - or better yet, come with us!

Our Next Safaris:

Recent Comments from our Guests

"What a wonderful, great, fantastic, super, perfect time we had with you in Africa" - Keith

"Greg and Karen never stopped working at maximizing our photo opportunities or our comfort during our photo safari. Everyone had a terrific time!" – Paul

Product Review: The Impact Super Clamp

Wildlife photography requires air travel and working outside with only what you can carry on your back so I like multitasking products that are simple andeffective:: inexpensive doesn’t hurt either.

Stronger than- Expected

The Impact Super Clamp is a tough, inexpensive clamp that is easily attached to a strobe unit or ball head. It can then be attached onto a pipe, table, stand, game drive vehicle seatback, or anything stationary. This thing is so handy, it is a must for your camera bag arsenal. It is an excellent value at $20 which exceeds my expectations.

Holds Heaps of Weight and Goes Almost Anywhere

The Impact Super Clamp can clamp onto an object ˝ in to 2 1/8 in diameter and has a weight capacity of 33lb (15kg)

Available from B&H Photo

The Better Beamer is Still Surprising Me

I have been using my Better Beamer for several years and have written about it in this newletter.( Beamer Review )I must say that I am still impressed by what it can do and how it improves my wildlife shots especially when the subject is in the shade or the light is fading. Other guests on this safari had one and it was so much fun to challenge the simple and inexpensive piece of equipment and be astonished when it delivered.

The Better Beamer Flash Extender Available at B&H Photo

A night shot taken from a distance and lit by the Beamer

Adobe Releases Lightroom 3

I have been using Lightroom since version 1 and I am really pleased at how it has matured into a image management program specifically geared for photographers. They have also added the right mix of features so that I can optimize my photos and integrate with Photoshop when I need to access advanced tools. The new version is all about making features and workflow better. Read a summary of my favorite features on my photography tips website:

www.PhotographAfrica.com/lr3