Our visit to Ngorogoro Crater presented a whole new range of photo ops as pairs of animals (zebra, lion, etc) did what came naturally. Mating season means many colts, cubs, calves this spring and summer.
Thanks for your amazing comments and response to the flamingo duo! It's great fun to be sharing our trip with you! All packed up and heading to the airport this afternoon. Several have asked about details of who organized our trip, etc. We worked with Amanda and Simbo at African Scenic Safari - https://www.africanscenicsafaris.com - and were VERY happy with their choices/support/guides. I 'found' them after a fair amount of research online so have no connection to them. All their info is online, and I'm happy to share our insights if anyone is planning to go. It's a photographer's dream trip!!
I keep using this word, but this is absolutely fantastic. I can't get enough of your shots from this trip.....and of course look forward to the flamingos!
It looks so much greener than it does in this part of Africa - we've got a terrible drought. So wonderful to see natural animal behaviour and with such gorgeous background colours.
When I zoomed in on the pair I loved the expression on the face of the zebra on the rhs! Amazing to see this action so close! I was also surprised at how green the grass is. Are you going to make a book of your fabulous images Taffy? It will be a huge volume I think!
@beryl Haha!! Love your comment! And yes, it has been THE trip of a lifetime! I've never had such a great photo experience even with what I know have been amazing ones. And this wasn't even a photo trip, technically! And the timing was right -- really knowing my camera well and all I've learned on 365 made such a difference.
@dibzgreasley@pamknowler This was in Ngorogoro Crater which is it's own unique ecosystem. Everywhere else - like on the Serengeti, we can see evidence of the drought. I'm guessing the rainy season can't come soon enough for folks here and it's still at least a month or more away. Lots of dry river beds, low lake water levels, etc.
@bella_ss You won't regret it! I have never been anywhere that was more fun for photography than this trip. And that's traveling with a non-photographer and not worrying at all about time of day and lighting. Our guide knew I was into photography and Jim wasn't and he totally balanced the trip -- watching for things he'd see for me (e.g., Taffy, look over there at xxx...I think it's a good photo) while noting things he thought Jim would find interesting about animal behavior. I had NO problem ending up with more photographs than I can process this year!!! I think there are advantages going in different seasons so if you aren't limited, ask the company (e.g., for me it was Amanda at African Scenic Safaris) about what various months provide in terms of photographic options. She knows what she's talking about. I hope you get to go soon!!
They are fighting hard! One of the two could even be killed... those guys seem nice and peaceful but when it comes to mating, they become natural born killers. Personally witnessed with my donkeys!
