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March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian calendar and named after Mars, the Roman god of war. It seems fitting then that as we got ever closer to the end of February, plenty of action started to occur in regards to our sightings. We’ve had lion killing buffalos, wild dogs making very welcome appearances and we seem to be bursting at the seams with leopard sightings. It’s all been very exciting and needless to say researchers, photographers and guides alike have all been giddy with excitement when returning from drives. Due to plenty of rain at the beginning of the year, frogs and other smaller creatures are bounding around the lodge grounds, making simple walks all the more entertaining and interesting. After the hard going heat of last month, this cooler, wetter and action packed atmosphere has been a very nice change for everyone and everything.
Subscribe by mailing: warthogpost@africanimpact.com to keep yourself updated with the latest news! Cover shot: Klaserie Sunrise – Samuel Cox, Photography Assistant, England
In South Africa, English language and comprehension can be the main barrier to a child’s education in a country which plays host to 11 different official languages.
Look For Reflections Reflections can really add a nice abstract sensibility to your photographs whilst also remaining true and natural to the scene and your subject. Clear reflections can sometimes be a bit boring, but if there’s a bit of ripple distortion or dirt on the water, try flipping your image to make the reflection the centre piece, whilst including a bit of the river bank just to give your audience that taste of normalcy. The great thing is this works for portrait photography just as well as it does for wildlife!
In this area, students learn in their home language from Grade 1 to 3 and then switch to learning in English from Grade 4 onwards. This can present a challenge for students’ whole school experience: reading, writing, speaking and all exams change to English. This is a big change for any child and takes as a prerequisite proficiency in reading and understanding English. English reading and comprehension become not only an important skill for later life but also vital to academic success. This change not only affects English language lessons but all other subjects as well including Maths and Science. These issues span the whole of the curriculum and a major obstacle for students to progress if they are unable to grasp the English language. Here at African Impact Greater Kruger, the aim of our Reading Club our is reading for fun, which is more likely as students comprehend more of the story which they are reading. We also want to assist students in progressing with reading for academic success.
Volunteers create fun and engaging lessons which appeal to both effort and ability to ensure that students are progressing with their reading while also enjoying some interactive games. For example, one session we will work in groups: some students will be reading with a volunteer, the others playing a word-based game such as an Alphabet Hunt or looking up new words in their dictionaries. These literacy games are marked and the following week small prizes are given to the winning students.
Waterbucks Waterbucks inhabit areas that are close to water in savanna grasslands, gallery forests and riverine woodlands south of the Sahara. Their meat takes on an unpleasant odor from the waterproofing secretions of its sweat glands, prompting predators to choose other prey when possible.
Books are grouped into different levels to match reading abilities and students select from the appropriate level so all students can still participate in Reading Club. Once they have read a book with a volunteer then the book is added to the student’s reading card and their effort is rewarded with certificates and more. With these efforts, we hope to instil a love of stories and reading for enjoyment while also advancing the education and progress of the students we work with. It is important that students learn something each session; a new story, a new word, how to work in a team for activities or how to help others with their reading. It is also important to remember that learning is not a one way dialogue and volunteers also learn from these sessions; learning new skills in delivering instructions, planning interactive sessions and through interaction with the students themselves.
We can show how the Hippo has Asaffectionate, ever, thisnot past has been filled an justmonth aggresive with excitement. New photography side, we can show the industrious dung beetle working flies volunteers bring away with (the them a fresh here, incidentally, point like an sense of excitement and passion which arrow towards the subject – I helps reinvigorate everyone else when trained them myself), or a lonely the heat highway and impala withis a long tothe go. work piles up.
However, stepping aside from the breath of new passion and creativity, I’m We can also create confusion within the image to make the viewer even going so far as to not talk about look deeper, like a crocodile’s eye there have any recent sightings of which seen through another croc’s mouth, been many (a leopard in a tree with a getting the audience to engage with kill comes aporcupine photo, get them thinking.to mind – I couldn’t help but namedrop that one!). Instead, Bringing two elements I’m looking back on atogether, truly extraordinary we can make a here Hewitt, an visit that wesuggestion had from–Alan that African Impact works with exceptional wildlife conservation snakes – so you can see that even photographer. with few variables, a photograph
becomes more and more Alan joined us for just under a week and accompanied us and our photography volunteers on complicated.
everything; an overnight stay in Klaserie, a visit to Kinyonga reptile centre and even visited and took
This, is part of myEducation – quite a step away from wildlife photography but still absolutely vital partfor in me, Conservation fascination with photography - the to conservation. control we can have over what we want to communicate, by simple Our photographers were also lucky and beside themselves when we were able to visit the Black inclusion or omission. It’s also Mambas anti-poaching group (South Africa’s most successful group, by the way) to interview not only where we have a responsibility, in not what wewould say, butbe how theonly girls who onwethe front line but also the head quarters doing all the necessary behind the say it. There is noItway weacan scenes work. was dayget that none of us will forget and our respect and appreciation towards the that perfect image, that puts an idea in their efforts, are at an unimaginable high. Alan also hosted Black Mambas, and all involved in another’s head with no confusion presentations and gave that to talks to everyone at the lodge and his skill, talent and pure passion for whatsoever. Striving towards wildlife conservation shone perfection, however, is what keepsthrough – it’s needless to say that at the end of his stay he left as an inspiration to everybody the photographer coming back.here and we look forward to welcoming him back as soon as possible!
Use what’s on offer.
Natural lighting is always going to be way better than anything man can Don’t forget manufacture, so use it!your The hours just afterAngle! dawn and just Wide before sunset (the golden hours) give light with a Photographing wildlife beautiful, rosy quality definitely requires a(which istelephoto why most lens, romantic but shots wide are set at sunset). angle lenses are often just ‘Bad’ lighting can work in your as vital in recording the favour. Atmospheric scene. can lead to moody conditions shots, so maximize any Elephants, especially in big definition in overcast clouds herds, to make really sure itbenefit doesn’t from look being shot painted out. from a wider Rim-lighting technique used angle as it (a shows off their insize studio lighting setups using and their powerful astature. designated ‘hair light’ for models) and silhouetting can have a very effect. There are dramatic also plenty of Just because you can’t get cases where the action into or the right position doesn’t your subject simply get too mean you should try for the close to your vehicle for a shot. Remember – let nature telephoto inspire you! lens… so a nice
angle is ideal!
When you ask people what animals they would like to see and photograph the most in South Africa one usually gets the same answer – the big five. In that name included is, for obvious reasons, the word “big“ so I was a bit surprised when Tim and Sam introduced us to the topic of macro photography. I’ve heard of it before and already seen some amazing pictures but never thought of it much to be honest. According to Wikipedia, macro photography is extreme close-up photography, usually of very small subjects and living organisms like insects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life size.
On a different level After my first few game drives here with African Impact I thought wildlife photography was the hardest field of photography I can think of, especially coming from a landscape and studio photography background. Here no one has control over the weather nor the light and usually those few magical encounters with these exceptional animals are over before one could even say “camera settings”. It’s a bit easier with big animals since their movement is slower and your depth of field can be larger, therefore getting an image sharp is difficult but not impossible. So imagine my frustration with tiny little insects that constantly move, usually on a leaf that itself moves with the wind and on top of that a shallow depth of field of only a few millimeters. Macro photography needs a lot of patience but is also extremely rewarding.
Nyala These antelopes are not territorial and females live in groups that vary between 2 to 30 whilst young males gather in small loose groups. Old males, however, live a solitary life.
I was lucky to own a 60mm macro lens that I bought from a co-worker a few months ago. Macro lenses let you focus on a subject at a very close distance. This is something normal lenses can’t do because of how they are built but one can still use a telephoto lens and get similar effects, although focusing this way is even more difficult than it already is.
Giraffes are the tallest mammal in the world, with even new-born babies being taller than most human beings. Babies can often stand up within 30 minutes and after only 10 hours can actually run alongside their family.
They spend most of their lives standing up; they even sleep and give birth standing up. The best way to identify a giraffe as either male or female is to check their ossicones. Due to fighting, the male’s will be bald on top whilst females will still be sporting plenty of hair.
Focusing on the little creatures also forces you to change perspective. Standing and pointing the lens at your feet on the ground won’t get you great results. Like with normal wildlife photography one needs to get on eye level with the subject and this usually means crawling on the floor. I loved getting my hands dirty and stalking my subject like a predator while always considering where the light comes from and how I can compose the background to underline its features. But best of all is later at the big screen when you see all the details of your subject. Only there you really see whether your focus was spot on or way off and only then do you have time to really dive into the beauty of your subject and discover the splendors in details like you’ve never seen before. A new cosmos This whole experience with African Impact not only increased my appreciation for the wildlife here in South Africa and worldwide but I also discovered a whole new cosmos of wildlife photography and best of all, I can do this anywhere even in my front yard back at home.
The
Once my dream was to spend a long period of time in the wild to do wildlife photography and getting close to it. In my search on the internet I found African Impact and read about the wildlife photography project. In a split second my mind was made up, I’m going to do this. It took almost a year before it really started but my dream became reality.
Buffalo Buffaloes have earned a bad reputation from hunters and those who come in close contact with them. They are unpredictable and can be dangerous when cornered or wounded. Though they have been known to ambush men and are often accused of deliberate savagery, they are usually placid if left alone.
In the meantime I made my preparations and I got good support to organize the trip etc. and finally my flight from Amsterdam departed. The warm welcome I recieved when I met two of the staff members at Nelspruit airport felt very comfortable. Other volunteers did arrive as well but there were also volunteers leaving too. At the moment they said their goodbyes to each other, it reflected exactly what I experienced in the weeks after; excitement with people with the same interests and feelings connected to each other for life. An inspiring stay in South Africa took off. After a car trip of about 3 hours with the other newcomers we arrived at Dumela lodge, a lovely place. The first day was mostly about induction and introduction. Stuart and the rest of the staff introduced themselves and we, as newcomers, did the same. For us photographers it was great to meet Tim and Sam, the guys who are responsible for the photography project. In the afternoon we went for our first game drive in Motlala , Buffaloland and the team of 8 photography volunteers started to shoot. Only in this game drive we shot over 1000 shots, maybe not every shot the best one but that would soon change.
Tim and Sam shared their knowledge and skills in photography and editing in Lightroom in their workshops; all of what they do and taught us was impressive. I thought I was an average photographer but I was far from average …. The workshops Tim and Sam did for us were not only about wildlife photography, we also learned about astrophotography, moving motion, freezing motion, light painting and last but not least photography of the tiny little things like insects, bees, spiders etc.
Focus!
During all our game drives we had great fun together. Shooting the Lilac breasted roller in motion was quite a challenge but with lots of patience and commitment we all succeeded in the end. Every drive was special but one of the highlights was the sight of the Maposo lion brothers with a buffalo kill in Klaserie in our first drive there. But after 2 weeks one of the big 5 was still missing and my photography group were desperately looking out to see a leopard... and as it is with game drives; you’ll never know what you will see. On a drive in Buffaloland, with a focus on giraffes, the unexpected happened. In a glance I saw her moving in the bush, Ncila the female leopard with her 1 cub of about 14 months. Ncila stands for long tail and indeed her pose confirmed her name.
Getting your subject in focus can sometimes be frustrating with too many autofocus points for the camera to try and choose from. Instead, make it easy for yourself and your camera by using only the middle point.
This means you have complete control over what you’re focusing on and you’re likely to take pictures a lot faster. As a general rule, make sure to focus on an animal’s eye for best results.
Make the ordinary, extraordinary!
My stay at Dumela lodge was unforgettable but unfortunately the 4 weeks were over before I knew it. I feel so fortunate and grateful that I could experience the feeling of living in the bush and meeting such nice and friendly people. But also the staff at Dumela lodge did a great job to make me feel at home and comfortable every day. We really explored wildlife and with our activities we made an impact! On top of that, this African Impact experience has been a great impact on myself and will inspire me for the rest of my life.
How you photograph your subject and the intention you have makes all the difference in the world. Anyone can make something interesting look boring, but it takes skill to show something ordinary in a new and exciting way. These dewdrops clinging to a spider’s web for example, were shot at ground level and patience was needed for the sun to peak through at the right time on a cloudy day.
This week we spent a full day on Leadwood game reserve, from 0700am till 17:00pm. Our duties on Leadwood include clearing of invasive plants, wildlife monitoring and mapping out holes and potential den sites for the reserve. We started off with the very labour intensive task of removing an invasive plant known as Acacia schweinfurthii, now known as Senegalia schweinfurthii. (commonly known as river climbing thorn). The name changes of Acacia’s have made things rather confusing.
Sunrise & Sunsets Sunrises and sunsets offer such beautiful and vibrant displays of color, but why?
The river climbing thorn is an indigenous plant that thrives in riverine and drainage line areas with abundant water. The plant tends to become a problem as it grows very fast and in dense clusters. The plentiful hooked thorns on it make for impenetrable thickets and therefore reduce the amount of habitable and feeding area for a lot of the mammal species. In just under 2 hours the research and photography teams managed to remove 60 square metres of the invasive plant. It was hard work and the day was exceptionally hot (35 degrees Celsius!) but definitely well worth it when we could see the progress that we had made.
It’s because the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight passes through more air than normal. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red.
Woodland Kingfisher Although it’s a "kingfisher", they prefer drier habitats in more traditional woodland areas and can be found far from water sources. They are often solitary but can occur in small groups.
After the bush clearing we headed to a nearby waterhole where we relaxed in the shade and had some lunch. After a bite to eat and rehydration we climbed back on to the open vehicles to head out for some wildlife monitoring and hole/ den mapping. During the drives we were lucky enough to have some really good sightings, especially one of a young giraffe bull sparring with an older bull. This is often used as practice, whilst honing in on their combat skills, which will be used later on in life when competing for females.
Another thing we observed whilst out on the drive was how amazingly relaxed the animals were with the vehicles! This is always a good indication of responsible and ethical game viewing techniques used by all on the reserve. Overall it was a fantastic day and we got a lot done. This is new territory for us however, and so there is still plenty of work to do, especially with the climbing river thorn!
Most people back home asked me why I wanted to do this. Why go to South Africa? Why volunteer in a country that is not yours? Well, coming here was one of those gifts in life that just presents itself. It was a really big opportunity for me since Africa has been on my bucket list forever. Sometimes we don’t really have an answer for those questions. Sometimes it just feels right. Normally we are so into our work, our friends, our family, that we don’t think about others, or about the work that’s being done to improve the world we live in. I wanted to do something that could really make a difference, and it can seem a little pretentious to think that we can make an impact on things, but it’s not, we just have to look at it like an ant’s work. They accomplish nothing if they are working alone, but they can do amazing things when working as a group. I’m a Brazilian living in Chile for 9 years now. Traveling around the world, and experiencing places as locals, is my passion. Since I left my country for the first time I learned that home is where ever your heart is and that’s how I feel volunteering for African Impact. Since my first day here all I hear is about love and respect, doesn’t matter if it is a tree, or a lion, or a bug. It is all part of something bigger. It is all about life, and working really hard to keep it safe. I still have so much to learn about wild life and the ways I can contribute to its conservation, but it already feels like home to me.
Fish Eagle African fish eagles breed during the dry season when water levels are low and are believed to mate for life. Pairs often have 2 or more nests, which they frequently reuse; consequently the nests can grow quite large, some reaching 2 m across and over a 1m deep
Today was a very special day to me because it was the first time I saw a lion in the wild. I always thought I would be scared of this moment, but it was actually very peaceful to watch them. They are beautiful, amazing creatures, as so many others you can see here. Rhinos, Elephants, Buffalos, Impalas, Leopards, Kudus, Warthogs, Baboons, Giraffes… it is really hard to decide which one is your favourite. They are all very special in their own way, and as much as I learn about them, more I understand how important it is to keep them alive and in a safe environment.
Patterns, Lines and Repetition
Working with Research can be tough most of the time because of weather conditions, branches and bumps on the road, the strong wind in your face, and all the data you have to collect without any mistakes, but in the end of a really hot day, when you get the chance to sit under a tree and just appreciate life around you, when you get to sleep in a tent, under the stars, and listen to the sounds of nature, it really pays off. It’s not about waking up really early; it’s about watching the sunrise. I strongly believe that if I put my heart in what I do, doesn’t matter for how long I’ll be doing it, I’ll make an impact for sure.
You don’t have to look hard to find repetition and naturally occurring lines and patterns in the bush. This is a great way to to try and experiment with photography and helps develop an eye for looking for finer details in things most people would overlook. A simple branch of leaves, for example, can provide so much it’s hard not to take a photo!
The
The first game drive for guests is something special to witness as a guide. The look of awe and delight on their faces is a feeling not easily conveyed on paper, as one has to have experienced it first-hand to understand. More often than not the first animal to be spotted is the Impala. Cries of “look a deer!” are heard, cameras start clicking to the sound of a machine gun, as these herds of striking animals heads turn in unison to the intrusive noises, before they scatter in abandon. Although not to be confused with the northern hemisphere deer (they are antelope), they seem to quickly be discarded and dismissed by people after a couple of game drives, and the term “it’s just another Impala” soon becomes synonymous with the unexceptional, the pedestrian and the mundane. However, mundane, pedestrian and unexceptional Impala are not!!
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This species is so especially adapted to its environment it hasn’t evolved for over 1000 years! The reasons for this are many, yet none more so than the fact that Impala are “ecotone” species. This means Impala are able to inhabit the transitional zones between grasslands and woodlands, giving them the capability to adapt to the changing seasons and the fluctuations in food availability to their advantage. Often referred to as the “McDonalds of the Bush” Impala is the principle prey to most predators, and have therefore had to adapt in this ongoing arms race. Camouflage in the form of “counter shading” helps the Impala look two, rather than three dimensional, within the landscape. The formation of large herds provides safety in numbers. The characteristic “stotting” whereby fleeing Impala are seen to jump up to 3m high and 12m long is a demonstration of fitness to deter a pursuing predator. Unique to Impala are the fetlock glands (dark tufts of hair located at the ankles) which produce pheromones as they leap and run, creating an aerial trail that can be followed after the herd has been separated, to reunite. One of the great successes of Impala is their high birth rate. All females within the herd will be mated within a three week period in May, with all giving birth to a single lamb within three weeks of each other in Nov/Dec. This ensures that a high number will survive (despite the rate of predation) and continue to bolster their numbers. It has long been believed that Impala ewes can delay giving birth until conditions are favourable, this is a myth. Females may reabsorb a foetus early on in the pregnancy if their own survival is in jeopardy, but once the birth process is triggered it cannot be delayed.
The
And all of this is just scratching the surface‌There is nothing quite like watching these animals in play as they interact with each other and the exhaustion of the rutting season!! So next time you are one of those fortunate people in the world who get to experience being in the African Bushveld and you see another Impala, stop before you say those words! Take a moment to sit back quietly and appreciate these truly magnificent and underappreciated animals.
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