Category Archives: Wild Card

Week 42 … #36 Wild Card … The King

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The King, Richard’s River Camp, Masai Mara, Kenya.

Although our wonderful safaris were back in February, I still enjoy reviewing my images, and editing them at my leisure.  This handsome fellow was relaxing in an open field as we drove by.  We stopped and watched him for a bit, taking dozens of photos and interrupting his siesta.  (Male lions spend about 18-20 hours a day snoozing!) He sat up, looked at us with disinterest and turned away sniffing at the air.  Soon he laid back down and continued his nap.

Nikon d810, Tamron 150-600mm, 460mm, f/6

 

Week 39 … #32 Wild Card … Ewe want a photo?

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Scotland ewes.

On our recent Scotland trip, there were a number of iconic shots I wanted to get and one was of sheep.  More specifically, a herd of sheep blocking a roadway.  In the Scottish highlands, we only encountered that scene once, and it was only a few sheep that made us slow down to pass.  So unfortunately, that image never materialized but along the way, I did happen to capture a variety of sheep and their lambs.  In this image, the ewes were along the roadside and several cars had stopped to photograph them.  They were quite curious of all the attention but soon went back to their grazing.

Week 34 … #26 Loneliness … Nature at it’s Harshest

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Cape Buffalo, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

On one of our evening drives in Kenya looking for wildlife, we came upon this old Cape Buffalo, lying in the open, alone.  He looked tired and lethargic and took no heed of our jeep as we pulled near … just calmly chewing his cud and watching us unalarmed.  No other buffalo was around which seemed unusual, since they tend to stay in herds.   Our Masai Mara guide explained to us that old bulls, like him, have been kicked out of the herd by younger, more virile males and lead a solitary existence.  Unfortunately, without the  protection of a herd, old bulls commonly fall prey to lions.  I wonder if this ended up being his fate.

Week 32 … #28 Wild Card … A Momentary Pose

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Fiscal Shrike in Tanzania Bush

There were so many beautiful birds we spotted on our recent Africa trip and … so many that I didn’t capture on camera.  The ones I was able to capture, were not always photo sharp, to my dismay.  But still, they provide wonderful memories.  I so love birds and hope to get better at capturing their distinct beauty.

“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?”
Nature historian David Attenborough

Week 24 … #24 Wild Card … Taking Flight

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Vultures in Serengeti Sunrise, Tanzania.

When on safari, one doesn’t consider African vultures worthy of photographing when there are more beautiful creatures to capture.  But one early morning at our mobile campsite on the Serengeti, there were a number sitting up in the trees, resting before the day began.  They were a beautiful sight against the sunrise.  I learned to appreciate these barbaric looking birds for their importance on the plains of Africa.  Their ability to fly over 60 miles a day patrolling the plains plays a vital role in keeping the wild areas free of disease and rotting carcasses.  They are incredibly efficient scavengers, leaving just bones, providing yet another meal for their competitors – the jackals, hyenas and feral dogs who will remove any remaining evidence of death.

 

Week 21 … #16 Wild Card … African Beauty

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Elephants of Botswana, Africa

Well, I am seriously behind on my posts, my friends, but I do have a good excuse.  We have been in Africa with friends for the last three weeks on incredible private game safaris and through 5 countries … Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa.  We tracked leopard, viewed the antics of wild dog, observed sleeping cheetahs within a few feet, followed the great wildebeest migration, observed the cycle of life and death of newborn calves, learned the struggles of lion prides and was awed at the beauty of elephant herds.  And that’s just a smidgen of our travels!  All documented in over 4,500 photos and that doesn’t even include the deleted ones.  Now the hard work begins …. selecting the best of the best of those 4,500 images.  That will take some time.  But in the meantime, over the next few days, I will attempt to catch up on my 52-Week Photo Challenge!  I hope you enjoy.