Aardvark

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 6, 2016207 views8 comments

Another photo of the very tolerant aardvark I was fortunate to photograph in South Africa back in July. This is one of the rare instances when I was able to get it with a little bit of afternoon sunlight on its face. The scrub was generally so thick where it was digging for ants that it was in shade much of the time.

In this case, I had to anticipate where it might go next (I was hoping it would head toward this sunny spot, of course), and parked myself on the ground. I guessed wrong plenty of times, but in this case it worked out. The aardvark walked right up and started digging only a foot or two away from me, so I was able to shoot with a wide lens without disturbing it. In fact, it sat in place for about five minutes after the dig, just chewing constantly, so I had to sit still for a while before it moved off (in hindsight, I should have recorded video). The background patch of sky isn't ideal, but it was the best lighting I had during any of my three sessions with this rare animal, so I was pleased with this particular moment.

Canon 1DX
Canon 24-70mm
ISO 1000
1/640th
f/8

Max

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on October 6, 2016 at 1:36 PM

Great encounter, lovely PoV Max, any more space below????

I would have pushed the ISO more for a higher SS, as long gone are the days of low SS, especially with the MKII and where any 'hint' of noise (if any) is very easily dealt with in PP.

I'm pretty sure I know where this is as he/she has been spotted a lot of times in this location and seems extremely comfortable with the presence of people, very well done overall and a memorable encounter. devil

TFS
Steve

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on October 6, 2016 at 3:03 PM

Max: excellent capture of this rarely seen nocturnal animal. You have every reason to be pleased with your shot. Congrats!! Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on October 6, 2016 at 3:26 PM

Another super image of a seldom photographed species. While the bright sky background is not ideal, I do not feel it hurts the image, as my eye is drawn to the well lit head.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on October 6, 2016 at 5:28 PM

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Steve, I felt 1/640th was more than adequate for this subject, since there's rarely any type of "action" that would have demanded something faster. Perhaps if I had been fortunate enough to witness it interacting with another aardvark or perhaps a predator, it would have certainly made sense. For the most part the aardvark is not too exciting when it comes to behavior. Walk, dig, slurp up insects, dig some more... enlightened

I did, incidentally, try some motion blurs when it was moving... it's not quite quick enough to make for exciting results!

Max

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 7, 2016 at 2:17 AM

Max,
In 15 years on Safari I have seen an Aardvark only once, at night cheeky

This is marvelous, no need for fast shutter speed with this "slow" animal!

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 7, 2016 at 1:33 PM

A fabulous POV here Max, love it! Wish it was mine, in fact :)
A teeny bit more space below would have been sweet, but certainly no deal-breaker.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 8, 2016 at 2:02 PM

Fantastic close up and wide angle perspective Max, great job getting into position for this. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 8, 2016 at 10:27 PM

You have light AND you made composition, too. Cool. It feels sort of fairy tale surreal to see such animals. Thanks!

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