The ultimate safari - pics Johan
 

I just downloaded 90% of the pictures of my last safari I wanted to share. Some of them are a bit too sharp but perfection is not of this world.

These photos can be seen by using the following link: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-32h9g2

Enjoy,

Johan

Thank you Johan. It is an honour to be the fist to congratulate you on such a wonderful collection.

Johan

Great pictures. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Now I can`t wait another month until I go to Kwando Lebala and Little Kwara.
What is the news about the dogs at Kwando. Have they found any den sites yet?
Michael

Darn it!
I wanted to be first, but I am still working my way through ;)

Great pics with the lions on rocks.
I also love the muscular definition of the topi

Some really super photos Johan. I agree, many are over sharp, why do you think? Are they coming straight from the camera this way? Are you doing batch post processing? I'm not being critical, I'm just interested in understanding all aspects of digital photography.
regards - tom

Michael,

The pack of 20 was seen at Lebala and the alpha female was heavily pregnant. They should be denning by the end of June. I cross my fingers for Lebala but I think they will probably den at Selinda. Did you book Steve to go on a dog mission? At the moment, he's working on a freelance basis for Kwando.

I hadn't met Spencer yet - he is a a hell of guy and Charles offered me one of the best experiences I had for a while. Lebala, due to its guides, management and varied wildlife is one of the best camps in Botswana, no question about it.

I didn't see the pack at Lagoon (+/- 6 dogs) so I can't tell you anything about them.

Is very nice that you Fodorites appreciate my work. Thanks, Johan

Tom,

I think that the sharpness factor I used (Easy thumbnails - a program to downsize the pictures) was a bit too high.

The original ones look much better.


Greetings,

Johan

Johan

yes, Steve is coming in to guide me. We will probably spend most of the time looking for Dogs and Cheetahs.
I hope the large pack of dags will den at Lebala but otherwise we will probably go up and look for the Lagoon pride.
Both Spencer and Charles are superb guides but I have chsoen to stick with Steve as we get along great.
Michael

Appreciate your work? I'm dazzled. Thanks for sharing these. No favorites as they're all wonderful, although never having seen dogs of course those are interesting to me.

Looking forward to reading your report.

Super! Thanks so much for sharing. The pcitures of the dogs are remarkable, and gave me a great sense of what these animals are like.

In addition to the great phots, ou clearly had a wondeful time -- hurray!

Stunning photos. The dogs were wonderful.

I had to go through quickly but will spend more time later tonight.

Thanks for posting them so soon. Lebala's recommendations really stand out on this board and though I have a first trip planned to SA, Botswana and Namibia are calling. Lebala is definitely on my list.

Thanks again for sharing such wonderful photos.

CW

What canI add? Great pics, the dogs especially. Thank you for letting us all see them!

Johan -- These are absolutely fantastic. Somehow all of your photos just glow like it was the "magic hour" every second you were there. Was Little Kwara open yet and what is it like? Eagerly awaiting any details you can share. As of now we have reserved for early January 3 nights Kwara, 3 nights Lebala, 2 nights Lagoon. Thinking of possibly changing our 3 nights at Kwara to Little Kwara but DH wants to learn more about it from those who've experienced it first-hand. He's worried about the location.

What's up with the 2 male lions having a snack with each other? I didn't think it was very common for adult males to be in the same vicinity unless they were battling it out.

(I'd say that it reminded me of Tony Soprano having a sit-down, but I'm not sure that Johan would know what I'm talking about -- but maybe RTBF or VRT carries it?)

Breathtakingly beautiful photos. Thanks for giving all of us the pleasure of viewing them.

Johan,
Welcome back!
As usual, it's such a treat to see your wonderful photos. Your stunning scenic shots really transported me. I truly can't wait to investigate the areas you photographed so beautifully.

The dog shots definitely got my attention - it looks as though you had a few sightings and fairly close at that - no? You showed an amazing array of spectacular birds - were they more prolific this time? Do you recall what that smallish cat was?
Many thanks for taking the time to post these;
Sherry

Stunning shots! I can't stop looking at them. I've been listening in on this forum for some time, preparing for my first safari to Botswana in May 2007. Trip is now booked and I can just sit back and soak up everyone's photos and advice.

Loved the photos, Johan. So many Cheetah pictures! Where did you see them? I think I saw 3 in front of a MalaMala truck. Hope so, I'm off to MM on 6-22 for 5 nights.

You sure saw some amazing sights! Congrats!

Johan,

Wow!!! Awesome pics..........loved them all.....but some stand out for me, Cheetahs (i think Mala Mala airstrip area from the looks of it), the sunset pics of kudu/zebra, lots of great bird pics, pics of lebala/kwara camps, jeez all of them infact!!!

Couple of questions, Johan.......you mentioned u hadnt seen Spencer. Was he on holiday break or is he transferred to lagoon? I have asked for him for lebala for August. Hope the dogs den at Kwando. At least the smaller lagoon pack........

Nice seeing pics of those cheetahs having read so much about them on both Mala Mala and wildwatch websites. The sub-adults, are they all male? Glad they made it thru and will continue to grace the sabi sands areas with their presence.

Thanks for sharing.

Hari

And Johan,

I feel silly to not mention those amazing dog pictures........

Hari

Forget Animal Planet channel tonight...I'm going to pop some popcorn and check out Johan's fantastic gallery!

WOW!!! There are no more words to adequately describe how wonderful and amazing your photos are. Your ability to find and shoot these animals like a fashion photographer with such good control over your subjects is a gift to all of us. It is somewhat of a lesson -- or it would be if I could figure out how you do it. Obviously, your eye is talented but your technical ability are also impressive. As a starting question, what are you doing to stabilize your shots -- fast lens, image stabilization, some sort of support (if so, what sort?), ???

Hello everyone,

I am glad that you all like my pictures.

I'll try to answer all the questions this evening after work.

Greetings,

Johan

Hi Johan,

I would love to look at your photos, but currently Kodak is doing maintenance, so it will have to wait.

So I will enjoy, but it will have to be later!

Kind regards,
Kaye

WOW! Thank you so much - fantastic album. Particularly strong on the cats and especially on the birds too - I commented many but loved even more than I commented on! Great light, extremely well captured, lovely and intimate portraits, fabulous detail!

You must be very pleased?!

Meant to say particularly strong on the cats AND wild dogs and birds... can't believe I missed that - you have some of the best wild dog shots I've seen!

Johan: Incredible pictures! Thanks for sharing. My first safari is February 2007 (TZ) - I'm already so excited.

I think I'll make all my photos a bit "sharp" from now on Johan. Seriously, they are wonderful. And I like the "Table for one, sir?" shots.

Thanks, Johan!! Wonderful photos--they gave me palpitations...

regards,

Fern

Thank you again to everyone for the appreciation of my work.

I just uploaded the final 10% of my pictures.

Answers to questions will be for tomorrow because I have to go to sleep right now.

Greetings,

Johan

Thanks, some spectacular shots, especially all the great bird photos. Thanks for sharing, Michael

WOW! What wonderful photos. what equipment do you use. I get that you are the talent not the equipment but I am just trying to sort this whole thing out. I am trying to decide between Canon 20 or 30D and NIkon. everyone is pushing me towards Canon but the Nikon D50 & D70 feel better in my hand. Also what 2 lens does one need? I leave in august for Kenya for 3 weeks and will be on and off road.

Wonderful shots--cats, dogs, everything. You really used the light to your advantage, even the spotlight and flash, as in the African wildcat.

I always appreciate nicely grouped impala and you have one of those. Such common creatures but hard to get them to cooperate for a group shot.

Can't wait to read the report.

Your pictures are really amazing - such great close up shots of the animals with incredible lighting. I really enjoyed the cheetahs, wild dogs, young lion cubs and all of the birds. Also thanks for the advice on booking a private vehicle and heading out before sunrise to get the best shots. This will be good to know when I head back for my next safari. Is photography just a hobby for you or something you spend a lot of time on? Thanks for sharing your amazing memories with us!

Johan,

Thanks for incorporating my questions on this thread into your trip report....i.e., the cheetah questions and about Spencer. He is one great guy!!!

Hari

Hello everyone,

I am out tonight with some friends - so for answers you'll have to wait till tomorrow.

Greetings,

Johan

Thank you, your photos are wonderful.

If you don't mind my asking, is photography your hobby or is your livelihood?

Your bird/small animal photographs are awesome. I really wish I could even get to 50% of what you have achieved.

Please do let us know exactly what equipment you used.

Thanks again.

Deb

Johan,

Just be sure your social life does not start to interfere with your Fodor's duties. I guess you are entitled to one night out with friends. ;)

Johan

i must thank u personally for the exciting visual experience i've had.
It was well worth waiting for

aby
PS hope when this semester is over, i'll scan some of my slides & share

Thanks again to everyone - some answers:

Chelsea: It's just a hobby that went serious out of hand - like Colin Bell (from Wilderness Safaris) said - travelling with us can be become very addictive.

Sherry: the small cat was an African wild cat.

Deb and Mediatorr: I used the following equipment

Nikon D2X + 80mm-200mm F2,8;
Nikon D200 + 200mm-400mm F4 VR + tripod;
Nikon D70 + 18mm-70mm F3,5-F4,5 + 10,5 mm F2,8.

On my trip in September I am planning to use a window bracket.

For action shots, I am shooting on the following mode: aperture priority (F4 or F2,8).

I bought a small manual called "Richard Du Toit's essential wildlife photography" (ISBN 1 86872 609 6) in Johannesburg airport. It explain some basic rules in an understable way and it helps you to improve your skills.


Greetings,

Johan