WHAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE BEING A WANNABE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER - KRUGER
I went to South Africa to meet up with my family and see my sister and her two kids at the end of September 2021. They’ve been in lockdown in Mauritius since March 2020.
After they went back home, I had a bit of time on my hands since T would only join me for our Cape trip a bit later. This made me think. What if I could go to Kruger National Park on my own and see what it’s like to be a wildlife photographer.
My routine would look more or less like this:
I would get up very early every morning.
Wait for the gate to open
Shoot till about 10:00 or 11:00
Go back to my chalet, have lunch, dump photos, and maybe a quick nap
Return to the park to shoot some more for final hour or two
Get back home
Have dinner, and edit the days work.
Sounds like a blast. It is, but it’s also hard work, and at times very demotivating.
My parents (lani4travel) did join me for the second part of this trip. This made it feel more like a holiday than my first week alone. Sadly I mainly stayed in the wildlife mentality and didn’t take any photos of the time we’ve spent together or the amazing house we stayed in at Mjejane.
Let’s start with what I saw before getting to what I’ve learned.
Big Cats
I didn’t see a lot of cats, but the Cheetah kill I saw as I entered the Crocodile Bridge one morning was worth it.
Elephants
Elephants were my most sighted Big 5 animal; they were also the most rewarding to watch.
Birds
Birds are probably my favourite thing to photograph in the wild. If they sit still in the right spot and look in the right direction, your chances are quite good to have a decent photo as their beauty does most of the hard work. All the new species I saw for the first time also excited me.
Other Animals
Some of the other sightings included:
Rhino – sadly without a horn, but I am always happy to see one alive.
Babboons – I just smile thinking of them, since they’re so entertaining.
Jackals – More about our most exciting sighting later
Wild dogs – Although they were just too far for nice photos, I was super happy I saw them.
Giraffe – I’m still in search of a giraffe photo I’m really happy with.
Hyenas – Our encounters were brief and scarce, but the moment with the impala leg in his or her mouth took the cake for me
Wildlife in Monochrome
Light usually isn’t that great during midday, and this time of day is usually good for high-key photos.
Landscapes
It was the dryest I’d ever seen the park during this time. Luckily, it cooled down a bit with some foggy and cloudy days during the second week, making for one or two nice nature/landscape opportunities.
Our Highlight Encounter
What started as a single jackal with about three vultures at a kill ended up in a fight for territory and food. As time went on, the vultures grew in numbers, and the jackal really had to stand his ground. The thing that amazed me was how he was willing to give up the food to the vultures, but not another of his kind.
My dad took some amazing videos of this encounter, as well as some of our other sightings. As soon as it’s available, I’ll be sure to add the link.
What I’ve learned.
People like Hannes Lochner is admirable. They work REALLY hard for their amazing photos.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
My patience ran out in the first 30minutes of nothing happening.
What usually seems like a nice leisurely safari, is actually hours and hours and some more hours of waiting for the photo. I know I have to be more patient, but am I gonna be next time? Let’s see…
I got totally demotivated if I got up early, went out, saw very little and came home with even less photos.
It’s really difficutlt to take an original wildlife photo, since it’s been done so many times. And done well so many times before me.
I’m a terrible spotter, and can’t go to the bush without my best tool… Tertius.
Nature really is my happy place, and where I come totally at peace.
The trip was amazing, and the time with my parents are always worth more than any gold. I did miss my hubby dearly (and not just for his spotting ability).
Next up, T meets up with me, and we head to the Western Cape.
Wandering off now…
Just me.
