Carmine Beauty

The northern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicus) is a species found across sub-equatorial Africa. There are two subspecies of carmine bee-eater: the southern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) and the northern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicus). They are similar in appearance, but the southern one has a blue crown and undertail, while the northern one has a green crown and undertail. Carmine bee-eaters are insectivorous birds that feed mainly on bees and other flying insects. They hunt by catching their prey in the air. These birds are migratory and breed in colonies on riverbanks. They dig tunnels in the sand or clay, where they lay 2 to 5 eggs. They are very social birds that roost together in trees or reedbeds. Just as an aside, the colour carmine is described as a shad of red derived from the cochineal insect.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM; 1/640 sec; f/8; ISO 500; 560mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

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A-Z of Photography

Clipping is the term referred to when the light intensity/dimness falls outside the maximum and minimum intensities that can be displayed in a digital image resulting in the loss of picture detail in the clipped area. This most commonly occurs in camera with over or under exposure. Bright or white areas of the image are usually referred to as being blown-out It is possible for a single colour channel to be clipped (out-of-gamut clipping) giving rise to an apparent discolouration of the image, and this is normally consistent with post image capture processing.

Stuck in darkest Africa, lost in the wild and loving it! Don’t let me out of here…

Saddlebilled Stork

A saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalenis – Shona: showori [all species] ) on take off. When airborne, this stork flies with neck outstretched, unlike herons, which retract their necks. These storks are usually found near water and feed just like herons with a slow, measured gait and striking at its prey with lightning speed. This stork nests in stick built structures high in trees, like most other storks and they are known to occupy Secretarybird nests occasionally.
Population Trend : Decreasing; Threat: Least Concern – Source IUCN
(Canon EOS 5D MarkIII / EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM +1.4III; 1/320 sec; f/14.0; ISO 640; 280mm)

Picture ©2015 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Digital Photography Terms
Histograms are graphs which provide an instant guide to the contrast and exposure of an image that maps the distribution of tones from the darkest on the left to lightest on the right. It can be argued that there is no perfect histogram shape, but the photographer can easily assess, at a glance, the tonal range of the image and any clipping. Post shot processing allow one to change the shape of the histogram, thus improving contrast and exposure.

“All amateurs…think they have to have the sun at their backs. You’ll find this is wrong: If you get the sun to one side and catch the shadows, you get a ‘Rembrandt-lighted’ picture with good contrasts.”

– Frank Jay Haynes

 

 

Hippos in a Pod

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius – Shona: Mvuu; Ndebele: Mvubu), often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Africa, particularly if you get in its way. At Long Pool, in the Mana Pools area, one is blessed with many a photo opportunity during the last hours as the sun casts a warm light on these beasts in the water. It is that time when Hippo begin to stir, making ready for their long trek into the surrounding veldt to eat.
(Canon EOS 5D Mk III/ EF100-400mm IS II USM; 1/500 sec; f/5.6; ISO 320; 400mm)

Picture ©2016 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

The Elusive Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

The Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus), a seldom-encountered bird, caught early one morning basking in the sun in Mopani forest near the Zambezi River. The owl is distinguishable by its black face border and the pink eyelids. This nocturnal, avian apex predator is found in much of Southern Africa, with possibly the exception of southern Namibia and the thick rain forest areas. It has a preference for drier savannah and semi desert habitats. Verreaux’s owls feed mostly on small mammals including young monkeys, ground squirrels, rats and mice. They breed as monogamous pairs and occupy stick constructed nests of other birds.
(Canon EOS 7D; f/4; 1/2000sec; ISO-500; 280mm)

Picture ©2013 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Digital Wildlife Photographic Tips
Wildlife photographers are often faced with image opportunities that have very bright and dark areas in the frame and they need to consider whether to over or under expose to catch the more important highlights of the shot. In assessing this, one needs to understand that darker tones have more image noise while at the other end of the scale the more brighter tones cannot be recorded (or are clipped i.e. are pure white and give the impression of burn out). Choose to under or over compensate your exposure. It is most important to check image histograms, adjust and take again, if you have time.