Elephants of Mana Pools

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 17, 2012228 views10 comments

I am just back from an amazing trip to a new favourite location: Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most beautiful places I have seen, and it's an amazing location for wildlife photography.

The main attraction are the elephants roaming the forests of giant Ana and Acacia trees, but we saw loads of other things like lion, wild dog and leopard (even cheetah, fleetingly

).

I've got a ton of images to share, so I'll start off with an introductory one, to give you an idea of the place. One big advantage (at least for African Parks) is that you are allowed to alight from your vehicle anywhere and walk wherever you want to (or as far as your courage can take you!

).

On this morning we spent 2 hours walking around in the forest in the company of 3 large elephant bulls, capturing some interesting behaviour. This shot captures the early morning mood in these forests nicely, as well as showing the typical trees and termite mounds.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f4.0 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-280
Full frame cropped from top and bottom

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Baker on June 17, 2012 at 5:11 PM

I agree you did capture a nice early morning mood. I'm looking forward to seeing more. thanks for posting.

Registered on May 3, 2012, 23 Posts, 64 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 17, 2012 at 6:36 PM

Morkel, I assume this is temperate forest and plains? A lovely morning shot!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 18, 2012 at 12:53 AM

I was wondering how you managed to get a few of those other shots. Being able to leave the vehicle must be a godsend (as long as you're smart about it). This is a very nice setting with the interspersed trunks and the placement of the elephant, but I'm definitely looking forward to some of the other shots.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 18, 2012 at 6:25 PM

Sounds like a fantastic location and the photo emphasizes this with, cool animals, trees and the unusual termite mounds. The elephant is nicely captured in the only space it would fit, in the gap between those two trees. I do feel that the elephant may be just a bit centered.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on June 18, 2012 at 10:32 PM

Very nice comp with the slight pano.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 19, 2012 at 9:46 PM

I like your comp on this one and the inclusion of the environment.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on June 20, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Sounds like a great place! Waiting for more images.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 21, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Thanks for your comments, folks. I know the elephant "needs" to be more to the right, but I just didn't want to crop any of the RHS trees out - this image is more about the place than the animal for me

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 22, 2012 at 11:38 PM

Morkel, I agree this is about place, as I visited Mano Pools a decade ago and immediately upon seeing this I was transported. I like the image very much.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 26, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Thanks Lon! Good to hear you've been there...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments