Wild evening spectacle

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 30, 2012321 views20 comments

My apologies for a few week long absence from here. Normally this is as a result of being out in the bush, but this time I can blame it on my daughter; almost 3 weeks ago my wife and I were blessed with the birth of Daniella, our first child!

A good reason to abandon NPN for a while I should think?

I simply love dramatic and colorful silhouettes and will not easily forego an opportunity to obtain one, even if it means sacrificing other, more guaranteed, opportunities. This one of a herd of Blue Wildebeest grazing under one of those immensely spectacular colourful Kalahari sunset skies is one of my favorites from the last rainy season, as things just all sort of came together here.

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)
Central Kalahari GR, Botswana.
Camera Model Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Shutter Speed 1/250 Sec.
Aperture Value f/7.1
ISO Speed 800
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @ 100mm
FF, HH

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 30, 2012 at 2:42 PM

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, Vincent! Definitely a good reason to leave NPN for a bit

Spectacular image! The sun rays look beautiful! The silhouetted wildebeest are just awesome. Just an outstanding image that I can't get enough of!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on April 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Wow image, congratulation.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 30, 2012 at 3:45 PM

View the large one to appreciate! Nice.

Congratulations DAD!

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 30, 2012 at 4:34 PM

congratulations on both the great photo and your daughter.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 30, 2012 at 8:43 PM

The way the sun streaks from the LRC to ULC really helps draw the eye across the frame and the positioning of the wildlife matches it beautifully.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on April 30, 2012 at 11:49 PM

Vincent, congratulations.

Gorgeous sky in this one. Not just the colors, but the combination of some of those clouds and the rays add a nice bit of texture.

Max

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on May 1, 2012 at 8:29 AM

BIG CONGRATS Vincent !!!
Can't blame Daniella, she has just arrived. Hope she brings beautiful rays into your life, like this picture.
Great frame, I especially like the two Wildebeest near the sun.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on May 1, 2012 at 9:52 AM

Very dramatic image. The colors outstanding and there is enough detail in the animals to add interest.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on May 1, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Hello Vincent

Welcome back, for a Rest? Say hi to the Ladies in your family!!

Breathtaking View. Only in Africa EH?

Never been to Africa, Not sure i'll get there, BUT Really appreciate your Awe inspiring moments!!!

Thanks PaPa !!:)

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Congrats Vincent! Aimee is now 15 months old and changed our world forever when she took her first breath. Enjoy Daniella immensely, give my best to you wife too. Our 2nd - a boy - is due in August...

This image is a cracker and I love the mood and how you exposed the rays perfectly.
Got to love those Kalahari dawns/sunsets!

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 1, 2012 at 9:39 PM

Wow, this is a real winner Vincent. Dramatic lighting is an understatement. Might be just a little bit of noise in the sky on larger view. The workhorse 100-400 pulls off another great image.

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 2, 2012 at 5:22 AM

Congrats on becoming a papa! Wish Daniella all the very best!

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

Comment posted by Sally Wood on May 3, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Vincent, hello , I am Sally, and not often have opportunities for such extinguished wildlife!! First of all congratulations on the birth of your daughter! That is awesome news!!

Beautiful image above,,, very striking with the sun rays, clouds and silhouette...nicely done compostition.

Registered on March 8, 2012, 39 Posts, 509 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on May 3, 2012 at 8:40 PM

Beautiful photo, and a big congrats on the new arrival!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on May 4, 2012 at 1:38 AM

Love the rays, love the color, love the silhouettes. Love the photo.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on May 5, 2012 at 1:34 PM

Congratulations Vincent ! This is a gorgeous image.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 6, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Congrats Vincent! I would say that was a very good reason to take a break from NPN. This is an awesome image! I love it. Cheers.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on May 10, 2012 at 7:21 AM

Congrats Vincent

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on May 10, 2012 at 3:58 PM

first congratulations on the birth of Daniella; then congratulation for this wonderful shot. Silhouette and colours are awesome.

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Schwarz on May 13, 2012 at 12:55 PM

Beautiful capture.

Registered on November 29, 2006, 236 Posts, 1210 Comments