My last drive with David and Marilyn today so Patrick and I wanted to go out on a high note as always. We decided to head out to the Marsh area. One advantage of basing my trips in the Conservancies is that we get the benefit of less vehicles in the local area and the advantage of heading into the busier reserve when we want/need to. The cherry on top is that no-one from the reserve is allowed into the conservancy so we really get the best of both worlds!
Out a touch earlier as we need an extra 15 minutes to get to the Marsh area. Boy were we rewarded!
We found the pride again well ahead of time, in fact we were first on the scene despite there being many other camps nearer to this particular spot. This gave us time to try a few bracketed shots and the like with no vehicles around.
A calm yet cold morning!
It wasn’t long before playtime really began. Loin cubs are amazing fun to watch playing around!
Very tricky, but a bracketed shot can be done with a moving animal! I hate wrangling filters on a safari as they end up getting ruined and they aren’t cheap. Bracketing is a much preferable option when done subtly (rather than the crazy fake HDR look everyone seems to be into these days!)
Always give B&W a try too!
As usual, shooting into the sun is a priority where I know it will work (sometimes various conditions sometimes mean it is not worth the while)
Positioning the vehicle just right really helps make the most of the situation
No rest for the grown ups!
We then moved off and found good old Scarface!
One of my favourite things to see with my workshop groups. SMILES!
Looks intimidating (what a face!!) but it is actually just the flehmen response, passing smells over receptors to get an idea of what is around.
Time to go, always a sad time be be have had a great trip!!! Myself here with David, Marylin, Emma, Darren and Patrick! The A-Team!
A lucky grab shot en-route to the airstrip. Knowing how to whip your camera up and get the settings changed (or preferably having them ready ahead of the game) is a key skill I try to impart.
Thanks for reading this penultimate blog entry for Africa Live 2013 (trip 1!). More tomorrow on my last morning before heading back to the UK!
If you have been enjoying these posts, please feel free to drop me a line on Facebook or twitter if you like as I love getting your messages and it spurs me on, questions on any aspect of the trip welcome too!
We also still have a few places left on our 2013 Great Migration Tour this September if you care to see all this for yourself, tutored by yours truly.
Comments 4
Wow, some amazing shots. That cub looms like its just attached mid air for the ride. Crazy colours on the lizard and awesome action shot with the bird
Cheers bud!!
this is an astonishing pictures i am seeing, i havent seen pictures like this. i wish to travel this places soon. great blog makes me feel to visit this blog again.
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Thanks! 🙂