Photograph Africa: The Blog of Africa Wild Safaris
Follow our adventures on safari in South Africa with host Gregory Sweeney
Knowing each animal with help you spot key behaviors to document and add to your photo stories and add to your overall understanding and enjoyment of the wildlife encounters
The Kudu, Nyala, and Waterbuck are antelope both found in South Africa. They have similarities, especially in the females, but once you know the differentiating features, you can quickly tell them apart. Here are some images to help you learn each species.
Elephants are frequently our photo subjects while on safari. Their size, shape, intelligence, and trunk are just a few things that make them great subjects and very interesting. There are many opportunities for unique, beautiful, and descriptive images of elephants.
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.
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.