Roan antelope and ox-peckers
Startled while drinking.
Startled while drinking.
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Nov, 2017Views
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Awards
Action Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Creative Compositions Photo Contest Vol5
Contest Finalist in Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest v3
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at a waterhole in Mahango - a National Park in the Caprivi strip in Namibia.Time
I arrived at the waterhole around mid afternoon and waited patiently. A few animals came and went. During the late afternoon, when I was beginning to think that I should return to be at the gate before sunset, this magnificent antelope appeared. The oxpeckers riding on its back also took their turn to drink. I kept the antelope in my viewfinder and was lucky to get this nice clear shot with water dripping from its mouth and the oxpeckers looking at the antelope.Lighting
It was late afternoon with soft backlighting which worked well for this shot.Equipment
This was shot on a Canon 7D Mark II using a Sigma 150 - 600mm lens. I used a pillow on the windowsill as a resting place for the camera. The pillow actually fell out of the window at one stage and I had to very carefully open the door and retrieve it, without disturbing the wildlife, which included some elephants. I subsequently tied the pillow to the car door handle to prevent further mishaps.Inspiration
I love taking wildlife photos and was on a wildlife tour to Botswana and the Caprivi. Roan antelope are not very common. When I spotted this antelope preparing to drink and with the oxpeckers riding along, I kept a close watch, waiting for the right moment.Editing
I used Lightroom to crop and improve the exposure slightly.In my camera bag
I travel with a Canon 7DII with a Sigma 150 to 600 mm zoom lens as well as a Canon 80D with an 18 to 135mm lens.Feedback
Other than being there, wildlife photography requires a lot of patience. If you are familiar with an area and its wildlife, it helps to know their behaviour, for instance knowing what time of day they are likely to visit waterholes. It also involves always being prepared if the right animal suddenly shows up!
