Pause between Courses

The African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus; if you are knowledgable in Shona and Ndebele names for bird life – please name this bird) is a species of bird that is native to Africa, found in sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and south to South Africa. They are frequently seen in Mana Pools. This species is an omnivorous bird, feeding on insects, crustaceans, and fruit. It is a partial migrant, with some populations migrating seasonally in search of food and breeding grounds. The African Jacana breeds in the wetland areas during the rainy season. The female lays 2-4 eggs in a nest made of vegetation. While the bird is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, its populations are declining due to habitat loss and degradation.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 100-400mm f/5.6 L IS II USM; 1/2500 sec; f/5.6; ISO 320; 400mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photograph

A-Z of Photography
Histograms: are an essential tool in photography, allowing photographers to understand the tonal distribution of an image. A histogram is a graph thatshows the number of pixels at each intensity level, ranging from pure black (0) to pure white (255). By examining the histogram, photographers can identify issues such as overexposure or underexposure, and make adjustments to improve the overall exposure of an image. One purpose of Histograms is to evaluate the dynamic range of an image and make adjustments to improve the rendering of both bright and dark areas. This is particularly useful in HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, where the goal is to capture a wider range of tones than possible with a single exposure.

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

Sandpipers

The author’s bird identification suggests, from the white shoulder patch, this is the Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). This bird is a common Palearctic (in our case tropical African), summer migrant seen in wetlands, river-lines and coastal regions. They are summer visitors to Mana Pools, being long-distance migrators between breeding and wintering grounds. Sandpipers are omnivores, feeding on a variety of invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as seeds, berries, and other plant material. They have a distinctive gait, running along the ground with their long legs and toes splayed out to either side, which allows them to move quickly and easily through wet environments.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 100-400mm f/5.6 L IS II USM; 1/1600 sec; f/5.6; ISO 320; 400mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Photography Quotes
Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was an American photographer and environmentalist. He is widely recognised as one of the most influential landscape photographers in history, known for his black-and-white images of the American West. Born in San Francisco, California, Adams developed an interest in photography and spent much of his youth experimenting with different techniques and processes. He began his career as a commercial photographer, working for studios in San Francisco and Los Angeles before turning to landscape photography full-time in the 1920s. Ansel Adams passed away on April 22, 1984, at the age of 81, but his legacy continues to inspire photographers and conservationists around the world.

“The single most important component of any photography is the photographer’s eye.”

Ansel Adams

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

Monkey Porn

Seemed to me that this baboon (Papio cynocephalus; Shona: gudo; Ndebele: indwangu) was enjoying the glory of the morning with a morning glory! Baboons live in multi-male, multi-female groups, with strong social hierarchies. The troop’s structure is typically led by a dominant male, often the largest and most aggressive individual, who maintains order and protects the group from external threats. Within the troop, intricate social relationships form through grooming, vocalizations, and body language. Baboons use these forms of communication to establish bonds, resolve conflicts, and reinforce social cohesion. Females play essential roles in caregiving and nurturing the young, while males partake in defending the troop’s territory and resources.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM +1.4 III; 1/500 sec; f/8; ISO 320; 560mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Digital Wildlife Photography Tips
A key aspect of exceptional wildlife photography is the ability to convey a compelling narrative through the composition and timing of the shot. Observing and anticipating the animal’s behavior, interactions, and environment allows photographers to capture unique moments that tell a story and evoke emotions in the audience. Learn about your subject’s habits and peculiarities. This narrative approach transforms wildlife images from mere visual records into powerful storytelling tools that engage and inspire viewers. Capturing unique moments of interaction, movement, or natural beauty can elevate your wildlife images.

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

Down by the River

Wild dogs, (Lycaon pictus; Shona: mhumhi; Ndebele: inganyana) exist within intricate and cooperative social structures. These carnivorous mammals have a social pack hierarchy characterised by its highly organized system that promotes efficiency and survival based on cooperative and egalitarian principles. Packs are centered around a breeding pair, typically the alpha male and alpha female, who are primarily responsible for offspring production. This monogamous pair leads the pack. All members of the pack play a role in raising the young, which includes feeding and protecting the pups.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM +1.4 III; 1/200 sec; f/14; ISO 320; 463mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

A-Z of Photography
Golden Ratio is based on a natural phenomenon and exploited by ancient fine artists to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing composition of their works. The mathematician, Leonardo Bonacci introduced the Fibonacci sequence from which any two successive numbers in the sequence form a constant ratio, or the Golden Ratio which approximates to 1.618 or in basic terms a 5 x 8. The spiral created by squares measured in the decreasing Fibonacci sequence may be found in many aspects of nature, giving rise to the term divine ratio.

“I wanted to combine science and photography in a sensible, unemotional way. Some people’s ideas of scientific photography is just arty design, something pretty. That was not the idea. The idea was to interpret science sensibly, with good proportion, good balance and good lighting, so we could understand it.”

Berenice Abbott

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

Brimming for Love

The yellow-bellied greenbul, (Chlorocichla flaviventris), is a species found in the forests of southern Africa. The species has a diverse diet that includes insects, fruits, and seeds, showcasing their versatile feeding habits. In the warmer months, male yellow-bellied greenbuls engage in elaborate courtship displays, singing distinctive songs, showcasing bright plumage. Once paired, they work together to build a well-hidden nest in the dense vegetation, where the female lays and incubates the eggs while the male assists in providing food for the family. Yellow-bellied greenbuls are known to be social birds, often seen foraging in small groups or family units within their forest habitat. They form loose associations with other bird species, benefiting from safety in numbers and shared foraging opportunities.

(Canon EOS 5D Mark III / EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II USM; 1/125 sec; f/5.6; ISO 2000; 400mm)

Picture ©2023 Andrew Field – Simply Wild Photography

Photography Quotes
Burk Uzzle is an American photo journalist whose image was used on the cover of the famous Woostock album. His career in photography took him to great heights at a young age, he being one of the youngest Life Magazine photographers ever be appointed by them in his time. He has written several books on photography.

Photography is a love affair with life.

Burk Uzzle

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