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image.jpeg.3033e951a7bcd84e77a9a2ddffe640fe.jpeg

 

 

Turtur chalcospilos

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 7:54 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle with gently filtered morning light

 

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~ During previous visits to South Africa this species somehow eluded my camera lens, thanks largely to its habit of flying off.

 

In the midst of the first morning game drive it was a quiet joy to photograph this dove, obligingly still on a small snag.
 
Edited by Tom Kellie
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Peter Connan

Wow Tom!

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  • 2 weeks later...

image.jpeg.a59fa37022df0db4e52e7a4d9c9ed1c2.jpeg

 

Emerging Leopard

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 5:08 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/640 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in tall grass and short trees

 

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~ My guests and I hadn't anticipated encountering a Leopard at close range, hence this was a welcome surprise.

 

She had been rubbing her muzzle on foliage for more than one minute before emerging onto a dusty track.
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  • 4 months later...

I couldn't find a thread for snails, nor one for "racy" images, so im' dropping this here.

 

SnailPorn-1.jpg.5f447c4a3a9b261e8494a6bb47acbe7f.jpg

 

SnailPorn-2.jpg.2d2eb29a910869f8621875fb01d89945.jpg

 

These are those big "tree snails".

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  • 2 months later...
Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.405243fb5990d69603c908776b0ee480.jpeg

 

Close Range Encounter

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 4:22 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1250, f/10, 1/100 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle with gently filtered afternoon light

 

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~ Watching a korhaan in tall grass, we were approached by several elephants, one of which was in fairly close proximity.

 

I'd missed elephants during the years away from Africa, therefore this was an especially welcome encounter.
 
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Tom Kellie

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Talon Display

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 5:31 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/100 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in moderate early evening light

 

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~ The light was rapidly fading after a productive afternoon game drive, with thoughts of an after dark evening game drive increasing.

 

Overhead I noticed something large and relatively close — Polemaetus bellicosus, giving a striking talon display.
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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.a23d9cfa7794abf8f0cefa5f7819e05a.jpeg

 

Concealed Visage

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 4:58 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 1600, f/2.8, 1/1000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in shaded early evening light

 

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~ We knew that she'd sauntered into a dense thicket of tall grass and assorted bushes, but where exactly was she hidden?

 

Suddenly, a glance low to the ground revealed her nestled in a hollow where she was largely hidden yet could observe her surroundings.
 
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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.80fb4af72bf41f122634a5faafd87a83.jpeg

 

Prédateur féroce

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 5:08 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/640 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in shaded early evening light

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

~ This image was made seconds after a similar image posted above, when she stepped onto a dusty track.

 

Eyes fully open, her highly-tuned awareness of all around her was a magnificent sight, despite the low light.
 
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Tom Kellie

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Bigfoot

 

 

Taken on 28 June, 2023 at 5:09 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2500, f/2.8, 1/800 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in shaded early evening light

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

~ That a leopard is powerfully built from head to tail was evident when the immense paws were seen against the dusty track.

 

The sheer beauty of a leopard remains a magnificent highlight of any safari, as such loveliness never loses its impact.
 
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offshorebirder

Very nice photos @Tom Kellie - I did not realize you had been on a safari this past summer.  

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Tom Kellie
17 minutes ago, offshorebirder said:

Very nice photos @Tom Kellie - I did not realize you had been on a safari this past summer.  

 

~ @offshorebirder:

 

Thank you so much!

 

It was a quiet, understated safari accompanied by my teaching assistant and his father.

 

We flew from Dallas to London to Johannesburg to Hoedspruit, then by vehicle out to Manyeleti.

 

On Safaritalk it was only mentioned in advance to @KiwiGranwho had stayed at the same camp shortly before us.

 

During the present school vacation there's time to look through the images.

 

      Tom K.

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Kitsafari
2 hours ago, Tom Kellie said:

 

~ @offshorebirder:

 

Thank you so much!

 

It was a quiet, understated safari accompanied by my teaching assistant and his father.

 

We flew from Dallas to London to Johannesburg to Hoedspruit, then by vehicle out to Manyeleti.

 

On Safaritalk it was only mentioned in advance to @KiwiGranwho had stayed at the same camp shortly before us.

 

During the present school vacation there's time to look through the images.

 

      Tom K.

 

 

You made it back to the bush finally @Tom Kellie. so pleased for you and thank you for the images!

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Atravelynn

Glad you snuck a safari in, @Tom Kellie, racy images and all!  Had your teaching assistant and his father ever been on safari?

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Tom Kellie
2 hours ago, Atravelynn said:

Glad you snuck a safari in, @Tom Kellie, racy images and all!  Had your teaching assistant and his father ever been on safari?

 

~ @Atravelynn: No, it was their first time on safari and first visit to Africa.

 

They're from Venezuela, the dad an oil production engineering executive and the son a stellar student.

 

I'd trained them in wildlife photography and lent camera gear to them for months of practice.

 

They stayed in one tent and I was in another.

 

We all had great fun and far too many superb sightings.

 

As when Chinese students accompanied me to Africa, there's much to be said for introducing the wonder of game drives to those who've never been on one.

 

      Tom K.

Edited by Tom Kellie
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Tom Kellie
1 hour ago, Kitsafari said:

 

 

You made it back to the bush finally @Tom Kellie. so pleased for you and thank you for the images!

 

~ @Kitsafari: That's very kind of you — thank you!

 

I hadn't been in Africa since February, 2017, so last June & July's safari was a wonderful return.

 

In fact I enjoyed it so much that 100 days from today I'll be in an Air France flight bound for Paris from Dallas, changing aircraft to another Air France flight To Johannesburg.

 

It'll be more or less like like last year except this time alone, and for one night longer.

 

I'll miss Diji a lot, but will not be short of animal sightings, if last year's experience in any way suggests what this year will be like.

 

      Tom K.

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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.71c9557efc5341fcbbbf04d4ea6f9e03.jpeg

 

Profil de la hyène

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 6:50 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/4, 1/250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in early morning light

 

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~ As soon as we pulled out of the camp we encountered a single hyena resting in the track, seemingly indifferent to our presence.

 

Such close proximity made possible a profile image with a sympathetic sense of a species worth observing.
 
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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.e2fcbace0d1250f2b9976b22f889ee16.jpeg

 

Lophotis ruficrista

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 7:12 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/4, 1/2000 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

~ The korhaans we encountered seldom were in an ideal position for photography, as they ran off into tall grass.

 

This particular Lophotis ruficrista was more obliging, walking along the track at a leisurely pace, just right for a portrait.
 
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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.0f3d3c4a378459e44912e8f10bd54a3f.jpeg

 

Giraffe Mother and Calf

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 7:28 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/4, 1/3200 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

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~ A pair of female ostriches caught our attention. Unbeknownst to us, this giraffe mother and calf were observing us.

 

As chance would have it, the oxpeckers were on the calf but not on the mother. Their quiet beauty enhanced the morning game drive.
 
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Atravelynn
14 hours ago, Tom Kellie said:

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

~ A pair of female ostriches caught our attention. Unbeknownst to us, this giraffe mother and calf were observing us.

 

As chance would have it, the oxpeckers were on the calf but not on the mother. Their quiet beauty enhanced the morning game drive.
 

I actually see one on the mother, perfectly in line with her tailbone, if that's what you call it.

 

I bet your travel partners were thrilled with the safari.  I hope their months of photography practice was put to good use.  Your photos, assuming these are yours, turned out great.

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Tom Kellie

~ @Atravelynn: Dead-eye accurate!

 

Thanks for the first-class spot.

 

My eyes neglected to scan that area on the mom.

 

******

 

Yes, the images made by father and son were outstanding.

 

It amounted to a field trip to put what they'd learned and practiced into use.

 

Not only did it bring the two much closer together (a shared technical interest does wonders) but it ignited a lasting interest in wildlife photography in each of them.

 

Yes, the images I'm posting here are my own. Thank you so much for your very kind comments.

 

Not only is my awareness intensified while out on safari, but when going through trip photos I learn more.

 

It's a welcome shift away from the content and focus of my workaday responsibilities.

 

      Tom K.

 

 

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Tom Kellie

image.jpeg.26eb96205ee5dc15da664ebcd0eb6b36.jpeg

 

Female Ostrich

 

 

Taken on 29 June, 2023 at 7:29 am in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Buffelshoek Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with an EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens

 

ISO 2000, f/4, 1/2500 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in morning light

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

~ One of the pair of female ostriches we'd spotted was near enough to photograph standing in the contrasting light-hued grass.

 

Her size was impressive, as well as her utter sangfroid in the presence of a safari vehicle with several shutters clicking.
 
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Atravelynn
1 hour ago, Tom Kellie said:

~ @Atravelynn: Dead-eye accurate!

 

Thanks for the first-class spot.

 

My eyes neglected to scan that area on the mom.

 

Always the gentleman!

 

 

 

 

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