Posts Tagged ‘Animals’

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A pride of lions just chilling out under the warm African sun. This photo was taken in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

As far as I can remember, I’ve always loved the trunk of an elephant. This picture was taken in Zimbabwe at the Hwange National Park. Click on the image to see it in full resolution.

Here are 5 fun facts about Elephant trunks.

• With an estimated muscle count between 40,000 and 150,000, the trunk of an elephant is capable of killing a lion–or caressing a frightened elephant calf.
• An elephant actually has somewhat opposable fingers at the tip of its trunk, so it can use it like a hand (African elephants have 2 of these “fingers”, but Asian elephants just have 1).
• An elephant’s trunk is a fundamental part of the animal’s olfactory system. Elephants point their trunk in different directions to sample the air for scents.
• To drink, elephants suck water up into their trunk but do not drink through the trunk. They place the end of its trunk in their mouth and releases the water. African elephants also use their trunks to take dust baths that help to repel insects and guard against harmful rays of the sun.
• When swimming they hold their trunk out of the water much like a snorkel so they can breath.

The most fascinating fact is that elephants are not born with this trunk-talent either. Baby elephants have to learn this kind of precision; they’re clumsy with their trunks when they are born. Goes to show that beauty and grace CAN be taught.

Which is your favourite animal and care to share any fun facts?

Click on the image for larger sizes

Today’s post is titled ‘Lazy weekend inspiration’. After a busy week, I am going to take a cue out of this hippo’s book. Sleep in, read a book, and stay offline. Sounds like a pretty good day, doesn’t it. What have you got planned for the weekend?

Exposure: 1/320 sec at f/8.0 and ISO 320. Focal length 200mm taken with the Canon550D

What’s the Pecking Order

This picture of baby chicks feeding was taken at a ranch in Humani, Zimbabwe. The intentional blur creates a sense of confusion which was exactly the scenario when the chicks were feeding. Fun Fact: Did you know that Baby chicks can breathe before they hatch. An eggshell may seem solid, but it actually contains about 8,000 pores large enough for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Exposure: 1/1250 sec at f/5.0 and ISO100. Focal length 135mm taken with the Canon550D and EF70-200lens.

2012 has been the busiest year for me. It’s been go-go-go since January 1. And we are leaving the beautiful city of Sydney to usher in new beginnings in Singapore. The last 4 years in Sydney has been INCREDIBLE. I am going miss the city immensely. But a new and exciting city, new travel destinations and a new lifestyle awaits. But not before my TRIP-OF-A-LIFETIME  and some quality downtime. We will be spending 15 days in South Africa and Zimbabwe on our first African Safari.

Once you’ve gotten over your jealousy and if you are planning your own safari, here is our iterinary. The trip is being arranged by Animals Works and we could not be more happier with the pre-trip arrangements. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING has been checked and we feel we’re just going to chill and have a great time with friends.  If you have any questions, I’d be glad to answer any questions after I am back.

29 May

- Land in Jo’burg South Africa

- 4.5 hour drive to Kruger Park

30-31 May

- Staying at two campsites at Kruger national park.

31 May

- Leave Jo’burg for Harare (2 hour flight)

-  Stay at the heritage ‘Meikles Hotel‘ ( I can’t wait)

1 June- 4 June

- Drive to the Turgwe River Camp in Humani where we stay with the locals doing voluntary charity work and spending a lot of time photographing the local wildlife.

5June – 8June

- From there, we go to Hwange National Park which is near Victoria Falls. It’s renowned for it’s large herds of elephants. Here, the plan is to go daily game drives or walks and just absorb being in nature at its finest.

9June

- From there, we spend a day at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for our last night in Zimbabwe and we have our farewell dinner at the spectacular Boma Restaurant in Victoria Falls and hopefully my first taste of game meat (all your vegetarians reading this, stop glaring).

10June

- Fly back from Harare to Jo’burg

- Overnight stay at the City Hotel at the Jo’burg airport

11June

- Fly to Singapore and arrive, hopefully, rejuvenated.

12 June

- Oogle at the amazing photos.

This being a photography blog and all that, I wanted to quickly show you some pics of my travel gear to Africa. This is the Lowerpro Pro Trekker 400AW and inside the bag are two Canon550D bodies, an EFS 15-85mm and EFS 70-200, a EFS 10-22mm and 55-250mm and a 50mm prime lens with a lot of chargers, lens cleaners and a sturdy Velbon tripod.

Pro Trekker 400AW Photography Backpack

Photography Gear for Safari Trip

I will see you after a trip from the wild side. Take care!

A random Saturday morning encounter at Eveleigh markets, with two dogs, who I affectionately call Cudeldoo and Cudeldum. This is their story.

Look at this photo, what do you see, just some rocks by the ocean. Look again! Today’s photo is titled ‘The real marine seals’
The Bruny island in Tasmania is known for its gigantic population of seals and spotting them in the wild was one of the highlights for this photo hog. Every single seal in this photo was a male ( you could tell, they smelled funny and were really loud). The camouflage for the seals is essential for survival from land predators. Bruny island is also the gateway to the last land mass before Antartica in the southern hemisphere. So I literally travelled to the end of the world for this shot. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Today’s post is titled ‘Why doesn’t anybody want to play with me’ and this was one of the cutest photos, I’ve had the pleasure of taking. This was taken at the Taronga Zoo and the expressions on offer here are just priceless. The sulk, the posture, the bits of hay stuck to its body, there is nothing more you would want in a shot. Do you like this picture? Sound me out in the comments.

Exposure: 1/250 sec at f/5.6 and ISO 800. Taken with a Canon 550D and lens EFS 55-250