Wildebeest Video – Safari Update Day 7

As we started our move from move from Robanda to Mbaligiti, we found ourselves directly in the middle of one of the main herds of migrating Wildebeests.  This time of the year (May), they are on their way from the calving grounds of the Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the northern Serengeti and then onward to Kenya – only to return again in September and October when the rains begin.

So here is my very first video from my D4 (I have have the camera since it came out, I just don’t shoot  video and now I am having second thoughts).  I really like having the massive elephants in the background – just wish I have figured out the video focusing a bit faster.

Then there was this little elephant who just figured out that if he trumpeted and charged into the herd of Wildebeests, he could get an reaction from them, causing them to run.  Every safari, I always observe some type of animal behavior that I have not seen before.  What fun……

DSC4035 from Randy Hanna on Vimeo.

These movies were taken here

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Fog Fall Over The Crater Rim

Early morning in the Crater treated us to a wonderful light show as a huge cloud bank moved over the top of the crater rim and finally onto the lower elevations of the rim.  Although the photography was a bit slow in the crater, it was still enjoyable with Rhino sightings, huge male elephants and the grand landscapes that the Ngorongoro Crater has to offer.

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Nikon D3s, 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII at 200mm, ISO 500, f/9 @ 1/125 sec

This image was taken here (Google Earth required)

Cheers and happy photo’ing

Photo of the Week – FULL CHARGE

Every once in a while, I find myself in a position to capture the charge of a bull elephant.  Kelio, my long time guide in Tanzania, tells me that the bulls will make three mock charges.  The forth one is for real, and they will be coming thru your window.  Fortunately, the expert guides at Thomsons Safaris are keenly aware of the conditions that surround them and would never let any dangerous situation arise.  As much as I would like to tell you that this bull stopped only inches from our Land Rover,  it was all possible due to a telephoto lens.  Using a telephoto lens, you can compress distance a great deal.  As with this image, I was able to compress the distance between me and the elephant in such a manner that it appears like he was right on top of me.  In reality, we were safely tucked inside of our Land Rovers and at an appropriate distance…..the miracles of telephoto glass.  To get up close and personal with the wildlife, consider joining me on one of my photo safaris.

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Nikon D3, 200-400 f/2.8 @ 400mm, ISO 500, f/8 at 1/400 sec

Cheers and happy photo’ing

2014 Photo Safari Schedule

Safaris for 2014:
1. Rwanda – Gorillas in the Mist 1 Jan thru 8 Jan  DETAILS ARE POSTED HERE. Trip completed, full trip report in draft.
2. Tanzania – The Great Migration – Feb 15-25, 2014   TRIP IS FULL
3. Chile – Torres del Paine – March 2014,  Adventure Series Only*
4. Tanzania – The Great Rut – May 31 – June 10, 2014. Some openings remain.
5. Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice – 10-19 Aug 2014 – DETAILS ARE POSTED HERE  Strictly limited to 8 participants, 4 openings.
6. Tanzania – Fall Migration – Sept 16-25, 2014 – DETAILS ARE POSTED HERE
7. Botswana – November 13-22, 2014 – DETAILS ARE POSTED HERE.

Looking forward to 2015:
Namibia – Landscapes of a Lifetime – April or May 2015- Details will be released in March of 2014.
Tanzania – The Great Rut
Tanzania – Fall Migration
Botswana – Adventure on the River
Lots More to Come So Stay Tuned.

*Adventure Series – Open only to previous clients and those who are willing to travel in conditions that require maximum flexibility as we explore new areas.

NEW SAFARI DATES RELEASED

Three exciting photo safaris have recently been announced. Could one of these trips have your name on it?

Dates for the Galapagos safari are 3-13 June 2011. This is your chance to visit and photograph the islands that have stood still in time since their first discovery by Darwin. Limited space is available on this adventure.

Dates for the March safari to Kenya for the Masai Mara Plains in are 14-23 March 2011.  This safari will focus on the cats and landscapes of the Masai Mara.  Due to the remoteness of this trip, only 6 travelers will be participating in this exciting adventure. THIS SAFARI IS NOW FULL

Dates for the August safari to Tanzania are 14-26 Aug 2011. Every year I return to Tanzania to lead a fantastic photo and wildlife viewing safari.  This trip, as opposed to my winter trips, will focus on the more northern section of the Serengeti in addition to Ngorongoro Crater and the Central Serengeti.  Please note that this trip has been previously announced and is currently 50% full.

Cheers and I look forward to seeing you on one of my safaris.  Should you have any questions about these safaris, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Randy

Photo of the Week

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Red Dunes (Dune 43) of Namib-Naukuft Park, Namibia

Nikon D300, 70-200VR, 95mm @ f9 1/640 sec, -2EV

While shooting in the sand dunes of Namibia, I found myself in an environment that was largely reds and blues.  After looking at the large histogram for general exposure, I always shifted to the RGB histograms for evaluation.  More often than not, I found that I was blowing out the reds.  A simple drop in EV solved the blown channel.  Usually using only a -1/3EV to solve normal exposure problems, I was very surprised by having to drop down into the -2′s for a correct exposure.  While post processing, I was also surprised by the white balance of the camera.  I always shoot in auto WB mode and correct during post processing.  When shooting in extreme conditions, it is not uncommon for me to use either a white balance card or a color checker to help with setting my white balance in post processing.  What surprised be was how far off the color temperature was when I started the post processing.  I am going to attribute this to the high amount of reds from the sand.  The lesson here is to use all of your tools, both in camera and out of camera.  Learn when the in-camera meter is smart, when it is dumb,  and take the necessary actions to get the shot.

Cheers and happy photo’ing