My favourite location in my African photo safari was Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. In Part 1 of this series I showed you one of the reasons why: the endless plains provide incredible opportunities to make minimalist images of wildlife in their environment.
But I made close-up photos too.
When it comes to the close-up photos, I think the most important thing is to capture some sort of animal behaviour. I wanted to show how the animals interact with each other, especially things you might not see in a zoo environment, and the Serengeti provides endless opportunities to see and experience wildlife interaction.
Like this zebra with a bird standing on his back. I’ve never seen this kind of thing in a zoo, but you see it all the time in Africa. It’s quite a common sight, but I think it makes a great photo.
The zebras are very affectionate with each other, always rubbing their heads together, and there’s just something about the way their stripes always line up.
The gazelles are everywhere, sprinkled about the landscape like icing sugar on a donut (I think most of the other animals see them that way).
I captured this precious little one nursing from it’s one horned mother.
Everyone always seems to like the lions. I don’t know, I guess I’m not a big cat person because I liked the other animals more than the cats. Still, I photographed this special moment between two male lions. You always see photographs that show the fierce side of the lions, so I wanted to show the softer side. In processing, I made the image soft to emphasize that feeling.
The leopards are elusive and sneaky, but also quite lazy it seems! Perhaps their burst of energy when hunting exhausts them for the rest of the day, but they are always lying around on rocks or in trees with their limbs hanging down like they don’t have an ounce of energy left.
I wasn’t expecting the vultures! There was a whole murder of them (I know it’s a murder of crows, but if you had seen them I’m sure you would agree they are best described as a murder when you see the bones they were picking). There were so many it was hard to get a good image that isolated one or two animals, but I did get this close up of a typical vulture expression.
And another of the aggressive walk that would make any creature give way.
The giraffes are graceful in their movements, even when running! But a group walking together at twilight light is a special memory.
My most precious memories from the entire trip are the elephants. I LOVE the elephants, especially the baby elephants when they play. If I ever go to Africa again, I will make a special effort to spend some time exclusively with the elephants.
This is one of my favourite moments when this baby elephant was trying it’s hardest to see me over his sibling’s back. So cute!
Even the moment this rainbow lizard stopped for a split second to look at me is a special memory.
All of these special moments is what makes any trip unique and memorable – and it’s what makes a photo unique and memorable too.
Some really nice work!
Anne each photo is some of your best work. Thanks for sharing them. Larry
Hi Anne, wonderful clicks. The timing is just awesome; I reckon it comes naturally to photographers. The close-up shots are just great. Thanks a lot for sharing.
So many beautiful loving photos Anne! I love the elephants also! Keep up your creative photography, it’s so full of feeling.
I love the way you softened the photo of the male lions. It makes the whole feel of the moment soft and sweet.
Your pictures are beautiful. I love the action shots and close ups. The sandhill cranes are great I am a bird photographer and I have yet to get them flying.
Really beautiful photographs
Thanks Richard!
I love the way you softened the photo of the male lions. It makes the whole feel of the moment soft and sweet.
Thank you so much Jenifer, that’s exactly what I was going for.
Nice pictures! I’m planning on going this summer and am really unsure whether or not a DSLR or mirrorless is definitely required for decent photos. What were the lens you used if you don’t mind me asking?
And did you see anyone being successful with using juts digital point and shoot / phone cameras? I read a random site upon searching about this topic, that said some safaris were banning the use of those items for their GPS tracking. Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Hi!
The pictures are truly amazing.
I am currently in the middle of an assignment where I have to research the Serengeti National Park and decide which equipment I would use to take some pictures there. Can I ask you which camera and lenses you used there?
Hi Ricky, Thank you 🙂 I have a whole blog post and video about the equipment I used. You can find it here:
http://annemckinnell.com/2014/10/15/gearing-african-photo-safari/