NABUYATOM CRATER

Lake Turkana, appropriately nicknamed 'The Jade Sea', is the world's largest alkaline lake. The emerald green water has captivated explorers throughout the last few centuries. The lake stretches from the north of Kenya deep into Ethiopia. It is wild country up there and very difficult to get to via land. You might just encounter some hostile tribes that still roam free in that part of the world. From the air there is not much wildlife to see, but flying in the Great Rift Valley and up to the southern shores of the lake is truly fascinating - it's like seeing geology in action! On the southern shore of the lake is of course the iconic Nabuyatom Crater, and somewhere down there, maybe at the bottom of the lake, is a Lee Filter Holder and Circular Polarizer for anyone who dares to find it!

Nabuyatom Crater

Lake Turkana, Kenya

Canon 1D Mark IV | 16-35mmf/2.8 | 1/250sec at f/8, ISO 640

MALACHITE EXIT

Everyone will agree that Malachite Kingfisher is one of the most strikingly colorful birds in Southern Africa. I remember how I desperately wanted to have a decent photograph of this little bird a few years ago. I searched long and hard before I found my first one, on the causeway at Marievale Bird Sanctuary. It was very skittish and there were no chance of photographing it, but I was extremely excited just to have seen it! After many travels I started seeing them more often, in the Kruger National Park, Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve and again at Marievale Bird Sanctuary. Unfortunately I only managed to get some average portrait shots until eventually I started seeing them more often at Marievale. I went there regularly in the mornings, met and shared countless flasks of coffee with new photography friends. It proved to be the best place to photograph these beautiful little birds!

Malachite exit

Marievale Bird Sanctuary, South Africa

Canon 1D Mark II N | 600mmf/4 | 1/4000sec at f/8, ISO 800

MORNING FOOD

Kudu is perhaps one the most elegant antelope in Africa. They are leaf eaters and despite its thorns, the acacia tree with its soft small green leaves is a favorite. I found this female kudu enjoying the leaves of an acacia that had been washed clean by the morning's rain. The dark bushes behind her provided the perfect backdrop to accentuate the expression on the kudu's face and the freshness of the leaves.

Morning food

Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana

Canon 1D Mark III | 600mmf/4 + 1.4tc | 1/250sec at f/8, ISO 1250

FRESH

Water means life, and this is especially true in the dry regions of Southern Africa. The Etosha National Park in Namibia is often associated with dry arid landscapes. During two months of good summer rainfall however, the landscape is transformed into a green paradise. A herd of springbok were grazing on the open plains close to Gemsbokvlakte waterhole when the setting sun illuminated the drizzling clouds on the horizon in a beautiful orange colour.

Fresh

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Canon 1D Mark III | EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM | 1/160sec at f/5.6, ISO 400

This photo won Earth Shots Photo of the Day Contest

BEFORE THE STORM

Having visited the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya on numerous occasions, the plan for this photographic safari was to capture unique and unusual images of elephants. Famous for big skies and open rolling landscapes, the Masai Mara lends itself to spectacular sightings of nature in its wildest form. We were lucky to find a herd of breeding elephants walking across the plains with an approaching thunderstorm as the perfect backdrop to capture a mesmerizing moment in time.

Elephant mother and calf

Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Canon 1D Mark III | EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM | 1/400sec at f/11, ISO 640