Photographing wildlife can be very frustrating. Not only do you need to find the wildlife, which sometimes happens and sometimes does not, the animals need to position themselves in a photogenic way as well. In a majority of the sightings, especially in a park that does not allow off road driving, the animal is far away. Even if they are close like these cheetah cubs, you still have to find that one spot that gives you an amazing shot – and sometimes that spot doesn’t exist. So here are two cheetah cubs, looking in the right direction, quite close to us, photographed through a tree…
I guess I need to try again soon!
Category: wildlife
Baby impala
One of the great things of visiting Pilanesberg at this time of the year is that there is an abundance of baby animals, like this young impala lying in the grass. I’m sure the big cats are enjoying it too, though…
Black-backed jackal in a hurry
While for some their trigger finger itches when they see a black-backed jackal, I like these opportunistic hunters. This one was in a real hurry, running towards and past us on the road, tongue out. I wonder where he had to go!
Steenbok male
In Europe, a steenbok is a big and impressive curly-horned mountain goat. In South Africa, it is the cutest little antelope. The male has two twig-like horns on its head, the female has no horns. They are extremely shy and will run away at any suspicion of danger. It’s a blessing to find one that stands still for long enough to be photographed!
Impala
A male impala looking up from his grazing. They may be common animals to find on a gamedrive, but yet there is beauty in them too!
Diederik cuckoo
One of the beautiful cuckoos that are summer visitors to South Africa. Once the rains start, the calls of the cuckoos can be heard everywhere in the bush. This glorious green bird is called the Diederik cuckoo, because its name sounds like the Dutch/Afrikaans name Diederik: It calls “Die- die- diederik!” Unfortunately hearing cuckoos is much easier than actually seeing them, so I was very happy when this one perched on a branch for a moment.
Giraffe in black and white
Giraffes are cautious but curious animals. If you stop to watch them, they are likely to come closer and watch what strange thing is parked in front of them. I once saw a pair of giraffes move slowly towards a pride of lions, seemingly just to check them out…
Photo taken in Pilanesberg National Park
