Black and white…

 

Lilac-breasted roller …

or (ifefe) in isiNdebele. When I was a kid, I was told it was King Lobengula’s special bird and no one was allowed to harm it or wear the feathers. Now reading the internet, it appears the ban began with King Mzilikazi!

I find it difficult to photograph birds when they have the bright African sky behind them. So, I washed out the sky and then had to darken the bird a little. Next I want to try some of the features of my camera that pin point the light metering…

Against the dark grass, I had less of a problem. But how often do they oblige? they are usually found in trees or on powerlines. These birds are nice for a beginner photographer, messing about with settings – they sit and watch you for ages!

This is the classic ‘ififi’ stance I remember from when I was  kid.

Giraffe…

We came whizzing around the corner and ‘hello!’

He was so little he still had an umbilical cord! I’m wondering if he inherited his ‘horns’ from his mummy? Doesn’t appear so, hey?

This was mummy – keeping her eye on us! Maybe daddy too!

You know, recently I read that a chicken keeps his head steady no matter how much you move his body.. I wonder if Giraffe are the same. If you watch them, they keep an eye on you as you move around to get a shot of them…check this out…

He is eating, but watching me…

Yup, she has her eye on me!

Groundscraper thrush…

I’m told!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundscraper_thrush

This is the first pic I took using the Auto Focus Continuous option on my new Panasonic FZ1000. I had set it up in the morning, but before this one, was using either auto-focus (which is pretty good most the  time!) or the manual focus, which isn’t always that easy cos my arms get tired! This setting allows the focus to follow the object you are focused on.

Looking down at the screen I thought…dang. I should have used that for the lilac breasted roller further up the fairway (hey, see, I’m learning some golfing terminology!)

This bird is a great subject for a learner like me – he holds positions like the best ramp models while I fiddle with the focus ring. None of my camera’s so far have had one, so this is new to me.

I also have a writing blog – please take a look: https://frankiekay.wordpress.com

Different views, same photo

This is a photo of a flower, taken in my sister’s garden.

Then a little closer…

And even closer…

I really like this one – looks painted, hey?

Cheetah…

I often wonder what these fella’s are looking at, and what is going through their minds.

He seems to stare right through whatever it is he is looking at.

I added this one below: he is yawning, not snarling!

 

Gemsbok…

Well since Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park used to be called Gemsbok National Park, I suppose seeing these shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

I love the colouring, and those horns, which both males and females have! Apparently, Orynx horns were sold in Medieval Europe as unicorn horns! I’m not surprised, although I think they look better on the animals, than on display in a cabinet!

There is something about the symmetry of these animals that grabs me.

Above is an action shot I think came out quite well. All taken by my Daughter, Philipa when she visited Kgalagadi with my camera.

 

Young Eland

Gnu…

I took this portrait about 2 metre away from this fella, and he wasn’t that happy! He eventually backed away and did some pawing – he had to back away or he would have bashed his leg on the golf cart! Then he snorted, shook his head and then I drove off –

Push me, Pull me…

Mmmm, maybe not!