Dennis's Pictures From Mala Mala (October 2007)
 

Here's my pics from Mala Mala, hope you enjoy. Now I can start on my trip report. (still have Dubai and Hong Kong pics to post but they can wait)

www.kodakgallery.com/dennisinzambia

click on MalaMala album

Aloha!

Hi Dennis

I am not sure what it is, but the photos looked really grainy on my work computer so shall have another look at home, which I think is better for photos. Was the weather quite overcast there!

Liked the locusts - never seen them in groups like that! I must say, you also take photos that I have never even thought of! One of the last photos of a goose/duck like bird is of Egyptian Geese, I believe!

Kind regards

Kaye

Hi Dennis,

You certainly had lots of amazing sightings ...... thanks for sharing these pics!!!

The old male lion - looks old and worn out, won't be able to hold off those 6 big male lions ......

Hari

Kaye, yes the sun didn't come out until the last game drive!
Thanks Hari!

I also was plagued by overcast skies about half the time at Mala, Sep 14-20. Very frustrating for photography.

regards - tom

Hi Dennis

No, a lot of it was my work computer screen - although the sunlight does make a big difference.

Great to see the pups looking so good, and I did love the Eyrefield Pride Lioness saying no to the cub!

Kind regards

Kaye

Enjoyed the photos Dennis. Eye opener on what you can see from an auto in Kruger.

Dennis - thanks for posting your photos - they were great! I was puzzling over one, and when I read your caption I snorted my coffee out all over my keyboard! Thanks a bunch, buddy! :-)

Really - great pictures, I enjoyed them. There's one of the dogs drinking that you should try and crop and enlarge - it's the one where the water is dripping from the dogs mouth back into the puddle - really a cool shot.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Dennis

Thanks for sharing, it looks like you had poor luck with light, but good luck with game. I think the Harrier Hawk may be a Martial Eagle, but the dog ate my field guide so I can't check.

I loved the dog photos and the lion cubs. Did you see the elephants climbing up to the top of the rocks?

The leopard/MM vehicle photo certainly does look like it belongs in a brochure.

CW

Good news...the 9th lion cub has been found and reunited with the pride :D

Of course I enjoyed your photos of all the little buggers! The Rollercoaster male looks worn out.

The ellies on the rocks was interesting and a first for me.

Were you upgraded to a suite at MM?

The dog pups are growing so fast. #16 photo looks like one has a wound on his rear leg (bite?)

Can't wait for my turn at Mala Mala &lt;):)

Great group of pix. I think I know which photo cynstalker is talking about. I looked at it for about 30 secs before giving up and finding the caption. My next thought was &quot;how did you get so close??!&quot;
You know if you hadn't put a caption on that we could have had a fun game of &quot;what do you think this is????&quot;

How do those elles climb those rocks?

Dogs - priceless - you're so lucky.
Great shots. Thanks for sharing.

Its hard to tell, however your harrier hawk is either a Martial or a crowned, ruled out Hawk eagle due to the spotty leg pattern and prominant crown. I can't see the talon colour clearly, however if they are predominantly white you have a martial and if they are yellow it's a crowned eagle.

the unamed kingfisher appears to be a giant.

Loved the rock climbing elephants and dogs, thanks!

Thanks for sharing the photos Dennis. It's hard to getting lucky in sightings and lighting. I had similar problem a couple of weeks ago. Enjoyed the dog photos especially and the lion cubs.
Regards,
Eric

Ooooooohhh, that first leopard is such a gorgeous, healthy looking creature. Loved the lousts and Rockin' Ellies too.

Thanks so much for the photos. Loved the locust shot and those of the skins!! What lens were you using for those c loseups? I can see where my next trip demands a closer lens!!
rhoda

Mkhonzo - experience would strongly suggest Martial Eagle at MM, they are relatively common, while Crowned is virtually unheard of on that property.

Quite right Napa, having worked in the Sands for over ten years I would agree with the rarity of Crowned Eagles, they are often seen though down on the Sabie River and could well have made their way up the riparian forest of the sand river.

The pic is not clear, so the litmus test really is in the colouration of the legs. I hope he forgot as it would be a sad day when a MM ranger was heard to be calling the majestic or even crowned eagle a harrier hawk!

Dennis has had some great sightings, which sadly seem to be lost due to improper interpretation: You'll appreciate the yellow billed ox peckers in his Kruger pics as well as the snap shot of the Bush shrike!