Mara Mayhem

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 7, 2013271 views6 comments

Nothing can prepare you for capturing the Great Migration on camera. The chaos, the noise, the randomness and of course the drama, it's all hitting you front and centre in all your senses.

I tried to work with some slow shutter speeds with my lens resting on a beanbag. This was a precarious crossing point which necessitated some nice leaps and jumps by the wildebeest as they take the plunge.

Shot vertically and this is pretty much full frame.

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f16 | 1/80 SS | ISO-360

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 7, 2013 at 4:46 PM

WOW! This is an impressive image, Morkel. This full frame adds some context with the wildebeests coming into the frame, and the vegetation is a good anchor for the upper portion. But compositionally I think it would be just as strong by cropping just below the two animals up top, as most of the chaos is really in the lower portion and to me stands on its own. All the same this is an outstanding moment well caught.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 7, 2013 at 8:35 PM

Your settings are very well conceived by the looks of this Morkel, just enough movement in the water while the animals are sharp throughout. The dark earth and similarly colored water are beautiful. While this composition gives a lot of impact, a slightly wider view to include the back part of that upper animal might work too. Lots of energy and action in this one Morkel!!

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 8, 2013 at 1:43 AM

Morkel,
The Mara is always spectacular, if not a little crowded

Have you seen the image of 168 vehicles at one sighting?
You certainly got in a good position for this one, my only question is whether or not to remove the Gnu in the upper right corner, probably not.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on October 8, 2013 at 11:27 AM

Like the depth of colour, image portrays the drama/drive of the 'need to cross' nicely.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 12, 2013 at 2:05 AM

Thanks guys...
It wasn't nearly as crowded as some people make it out to be. A great experience for me personally and for our guests.

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

Comment posted by James Blue on October 12, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Morkel, that's a great action shot...lots of drama, and you captured it perfectly. Like Ken, I've tended to avoid the river crossings due to the chance of it being a giant crowd, or a long wait...but I know that's not always the case. That said, I'd love to experience it.

Jim

Registered on June 16, 2013, 16 Posts, 144 Comments