It doesn’t happen too often – a case of being in the right place at the right time – asked to shoot stills for an elephant research group based in the U.K. who had a field day in the Chobe, Botswana.
Here’s the cut though – I had to take the standard issue elephant shots for the researchers as well as more artistic shots (for myself) at the same time.
The normal research images would show the side view, the head shot and close ups (of the ears) which are all use to identify the elephants as individuals, for the record.
My kit at the time was a pair of Nikon Æ bodies, an F2 model with motor drive and 600mm lens, an FM model with a 105mm lens plus a 28mm Wide Angle. Film used in the F2 was Tri-x Pan (400 ASA) and Kodachrome Transparency (100 ASA) loaded in the FM.
For those who have toured the Chobe looking for elephants, you can’t miss them, there’s about 10,000 odd head, made up of herds in excess of 120 elephants, in the area. Strange as it might seem, given the numbers, is that there are days when you just don’t see them. Lucky for me, and the researchers, this was not one of the ‘no-show’ days.
The team was tracking a batchelor herd via radio-collar and knew the group was just exiting Namibia without the benifit of passports – elephants know no borders or international boundries. Our mode of transport was a large alluminium launch with a local game guide at the helm. We were on the water, tracking via radio, for 30 minutes when we saw the herd wondering through a herd of Caprivi Buffalo (ubiquitous cattle) toward the Chobe River.
The herd entered the water opposite the Chobe Game Lodge (y’know, where Burton and Taylor were married), and were quickly surrounded by the other lodges’ double decker game viewing boats. We had to wait for the tourists to get bored and move on. It didn’t take long, I think because of a heated conversation between our guide and the other boat drivers. On dry land it’s hard enough getting a shot of Lion with a crowd of tour vehicles in the way, (as in Kenya) but elephant in the water is difficult.
I spotted the elephent with the radio collar strapped on. I started shooting with the FM, and then swopped over to the F2/600mm combo for the close-ups. Detail at first was a difficulty because of the now very wet pacaderms’ glistening hulks. As the herd approached the shallows the photo opportunities became easier. We had to stay about 200 feet away from the ‘boys’ because of the sandbank between us and the batchelors, but it suited the 600mm lens and I was getting a fair amount of the ‘required’ shots. This not being the digital age, with the instant gratification of replay, I had to trust my exposures and framing.
Now it was getting interesting. I had shot profile images of the herd and decided it was time for my elephant ‘snaps’. I used the FM/105mm combo mostly, with the occasional lens swop to the 28mm, as we were pretty close to the romping beasts. The individuals making up the batchelor herd have their own personalities and ‘methods of play’ in the water. Some would submerge fully (which means they merely roll over on their sides to cover themselves in the river) and use their trunks for ‘air control’, the famous snorkel shot. A couple would play in mock battle, almost in slow motion, totally relaxed while others would break off from the herd to wallow next to the river bank – perfect for a singular concentration on an individual.
The elephants in the water do not feel that observers on boats are a threat, so their behavior is not affected unless you get too close with the boat. On dry land it’s another story, but if you are in a boat and the elephants are on the bank, you can get real close as in 28mm terms, within spitting distance.
I have photographed elephants in the Chobe, (and Moremi/Savuti reserves) since the late sixties and have seen some rare sights over the years, and the elephants never cease to amaze me. To me, a shot of an elephant is really a wonderful event, an interaction between species and I would hope that we can observe and record these beautiful mammals into the the future.
Paul Lindenberg
Pauls Links:
- Website: eGraphine
- Website: ZaadTrek
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Great work Paul! I’ll have to come with you one day!
A nice story along with the images. This one should also be posted at another blog I know
Can only guess which one Buddy!
I LOVE your wildlife work Paul and am so envious of your opportunities.
Cheers, Al Bourassa
Eish Al! It’s a far cry between being envious and actually doing it. I see from your posts your ‘envious’ travelogs’ to country far and distant and wonderful photo-opportunities. Book a tour to Africa soon! See http://zaadtrek.com for what’s coming up – maybe you can join the principle member on his quest. Also, from your fine selection of images, prouce a book for us all to wonder over.
appreciated lots, I must say your blog is excellent!
Wow and Wow again Paul! Stunning captures and enjoyed the writing! Very envious! Take care !
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks