In Full Flight

Two impala antelopes in full flight, escaping from wild dogs in their pursuit during a hunt one morning in Mana Pools area. An amazing experience for those who were lucky to find the wild dog pack early in the morning. The dogs left the young in a nursery pack while off on the hunt. Shortly thereafter these impala came bounding through our location.
(Canon EOS 5D MarkIII / EF 100-400mm f/5.6 L IS II USM +1.4xIII; 1/1000 sec; f/4; ISO 1000; 265mm)

Picture ©2014 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

 

This image, and others of your selection, can be acquired from the author printed on fine art canvas of photographic paper for wall mounting.

Breakfast with a Baboon

Two species which are often found together are the baboon (Papio cynocephalus) and the impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus – Shona: mhara; Ndebele: ipala ). Here the young male impala appears to be in community with the baboon over breakfast. Some suggest a symbiotic relationship between these two animals. Impala have been observed to be more ‘approachable’ in the presence of a baboon troop, perhaps providing a false sense of security, and such troops will often sound the alarm when predators are present (basically an early warning system for the impala). Some have observed that grazing impala often unearth grubs and insects which baboons will feed on. A strange relationship, since it is not unknown for baboons to grab young impala calves, mutilate and eat them.
(Canon 7D; f/6.3; 1/250sec; ISO-200; 400mm)

Picture ©2012 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

 

Male Impala Lock Horns

Two male impala antelopes (Aepyceros melampus – Shona: mhara; Ndebele: ipala ) lock horns in a tussle during the lambing period, when most male impala spar with each other to move up the mating queue. It is a process of establishing a fighting category, which apparently determines mating precedence. Rank surely does have its privileges. This was a fleeting battle between the two giving an opportunity shot for split seconds before they each ‘bomb shelled’ in different directions. There was no knowing who won. Impala are the more prolific variety of antelope in southern African parks and a common source of protein for carnivores.
(Canon 50D; f/5,6; 1/250sec; ISO-100; 380mm)

Picture ©2010 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Impala: Paradigm of Perfection

Two impala antelope (Aepyceros melampus – Shona: mhara; Ndebele: ipala ) pose beautifully for the photographer. The impala is the paradigm of perfection in itself being one of the most efficient grazer/browser antelopes in Africa, yet the most common and probably the least photographed.
(Canon 50D; f/5.6; 1/250sec; ISO-640; 285mm)

Picture ©2010 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Impala Harem

A herd of Impala (Aepyceros melampus – Shona: mhara; Ndebele: ipala ) ewes, posing with grace, blending with the colour of the surrounding bush. This antelope is a major food source for predators.  Impala defenses include an acute sense of hearing, sight and smell, scattering the herd to create confusion, their speed and ability to leap both high and far when under immediate threat.
Population Trend : Stable; Threat: Least Concern – Source IUCN
(Canon EOS 50D/ EF-S18-200mm; 1/2000 sec; f/5.6; ISO 1250; 200mm)

Picture ©2011 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Digital Photography Terms
Juxtaposition occurs when there are two or more elements, usually side by side, in a frame that either contrast or contribute towards the overall theme on an image, to bring our a specific quality of create an effect.

“What my eyes seek in these encounters is not just the beauty traditionally revered by wildlife photographers. The perfection I seek in my photographic composition is a means to show the strength and dignity of animals in nature.”

– Frans Lanting