An action packed, Premier Masai Mara Predator Safari to start the year.

The Masai Mara is of course most famous for the river crossings of the wildebeest across the Mara. However, what many people don’t realise is that this is the predator capital of Africa. No where else is the lion density higher or the cheetah numbers higher.

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The shot: Studio pose

I don’t know how or why, but I know that Adelie penguins were going to be my favourite of that species in Antarctica. Penguins themselves are remarkable birds. They were first thought to be fish…, but then quickly classified as birds once a few were cut open. Additionally, when we see them, in the ‘warmer’ months of the Antarctic summer, they are actually close to overheating. 

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Mashatu Vlei - C4 Mobile Hide

 

After almost a month of no rain during our supposed ‘rainy season’ here at Mashatu Game Reserve, an interesting window of bird photography opportunity presented itself. The water in the vlei area of Mashatu, close to the Limpopo River had just enough volume to make for a perfect environment for a variety of waders.

On a game drive one day we drove past what looked like it would be an ideal spot to set up a mobile hide and test out what the waders had to offer us photographically. With the tent erected the afternoon before, we set off at 4am towards the vlei, the idea being to be ready and set up inside the tent before the waders began about their daily activities.

Unfortunately for us the sun decided to disappear behind thick cloud on the consecutive mornings of our attempt to capture the waders in first light. Nonetheless, despite the not ideal lighting conditions the waders still came to the party and this is what we managed to capture of them whilst lying on our bellies.

 Wherever you are situated in the world, it is always possible to seek out photographic opportunity whether it is a water bath in your backyard that attracts a certain bird or a staged macro scene of an interesting insect you came about in your flat. Get creative, keep shooting and you might be surprised with what you come out with!

 

Mobile tent (with a few adjustments) on the waters edge

 

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Leopard Encounter at the C4 Valley Hide

The privilege of spending hours each day out in the field observing and photographing wildlife is something that cannot really compare to anything else for us.

Throughout all the years there will always be moments that are more vivid in your memory and others almost forgotten completely. Certain experiences stand out more so than others and every now and then, you get very lucky with something phenomenal.

This particular afternoon we set out to go and have a look on the new Valley Hide. On our way to the hide we spotted a relatively young female leopard who was a little skittish and was headed in the direction of the hide. After seeing tracks on many occasions of a female leopard that had come down to the waterhole for a drink, we where certain that she was going to go for a drink.

We quickly got into the hide and set up beanbags and pillows as a small barrier to block our presence and waited for almost an hour before we saw her strolling along towards us over the horizon.

This truly was a moment that got the adrenaline pumping. Words cannot describe the feeling one has when being in the presence of a leopard that is so close to you and so curious, so hopefully the video speaks for itself in how beautiful and rare this moment was.

Leopard Encounter

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