Big Splash

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 24, 2014143 views7 comments

I photographed the dominant hippo bull in the Hlambanyathi dam of Zimanga Private Game Reserve last weekend doing some dominance displays in late afternoon light. We were lying on the edge of the dam at the water's edge - next to their lagoon hide site which is currently being constructed. This will be a submerged hide with a tunnel entrance from the dry bank for wading birds and eye level shots of hippos etc.

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
1.4x teleconverter
f9.0 | 1/1000 SS | ISO-1600

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 24, 2014 at 11:55 AM

Sounds like it'll be a great spot for photography. The drama here is great, Morkel, but I think that golden light really amps this one up.

Max

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on June 25, 2014 at 6:26 PM

Great action here Morkel. The splashing water is great, but IMHO it obscures a bit of the open mouth area. Great image nonetheless. Must have been a thrill to see.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 25, 2014 at 6:31 PM

Great action Morkel

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 26, 2014 at 11:33 AM

Hey Morkel,

Great action captured here! Framed nicely too. A bit unfortunate that the subject is in on the out-of-focus side, but real tough focusing through the water splashes, especially with a TC impacting a little on the AF ability of the camera/lens. But a real eye-catcher nonetheless!

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on June 26, 2014 at 6:13 PM

Wonderful action shot, Morkel.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 27, 2014 at 5:58 PM

I like the warm colors & slightly darkened fall off at the edges, great stop-action action Morkel!
Dramatic image, lots of impact

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 28, 2014 at 7:05 AM

Thanks for your comments, guys.

Brad - it also didn't help that I received my camera back from a service with Nikon and didn't check to notice that they left the focus switch on "S" instead of my usual "C" setting (single vs continuous). Rectified it after this sequence happened.

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