Welcome to May!

It’s the beginning of another month which means it’s time for this month’s free desktop wallpaper downloads!

As always, each of the three wallpapers are available in two sizes.  The large versions are sized at 2560 x 1600 and small one at 1280 x 800.  To download your favorite, without the frames, simply use the text links below the image of your choice.

Hope you enjoy!

Wallpaper # 1 – May 2011

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200mm IS II @ 200mm, 1/8000,  f/2.8, ISO 400

I find giraffe quite a difficult animal to photograph but this one made it easy.  We were watching him walk across the road so all I had to do was wait for the moment when he was away from all the trees and scrubs to click the shutter and get a nice and clean image.

To download the large version of this image click here.  Alternatively click here for the smaller version.

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Wallpaper #2 – May 2011

Nikon D3s, Nikon 70-200mm VR II @ 180mm, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO 3200

In between his kill in a tree and keeping an eye on a Spotted Hyena in the area, this young male leopard was, photographically, very obliging.  We spent almost an hour getting creative with a spotlight and different compositions.  This is one of my favorites from the evening.

To download the large version of this image click here.  Alternatively click here for the smaller version.

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Wallpaper #3 – May 2011

Nikon D3s, Nikon 70-200mm VR II @ 200mm,  1/30, f/4, ISO 200

Many people overlook the more common general game species that you find out on safari.  Zebra are not only very photogenic but they also make for great subjects when it comes to motion blurred panning shots.  We were watching a pride of lions staling this herd when they decided to turn and run.  After a quick change to my shutter speed, with the idea of blurring the image, I was able to capture this image.

To download the large version of this image click here.  Alternatively click here for the smaller version.

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Please feel free to download one of, or all of the wallpapers and share this blog post with your friends and family.  Also, before you go, why not take a quick moment and let me know which one of the above is your favorite and why?  Won’t take long.

Until next time, have a great May!

Gerry van der Walt

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Water Shapes

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 70-200 IS II @ 200mm, 1/1250, f/2.8, ISO 400

Ingredients:

• Thirsty Giraffe
• Waterhole
• Side lighting
• Low position to shoot from
• DLSR camera with medium telephoto lens
• Fast shutter speed
• Forward planning

Recipe:

At the best of times wildlife photography requires a decent amount of luck but if you have a basic understanding of animal behavior you can predict certain moments.

When giraffe have a drink it is quite a production and it takes them quite a long time to actually drop their head to drink.  The awkward position when they bend down to drink makes for quite interesting images but it is when they stand back up that you can get great action shots.

As soon as the quintessentially African animal has finished drinking, and starts lifting it’s head, it flicks it’s head on the way up.  This creates an ‘S’ shape of water trailing from it’s mouth and the opportunity for some very creative wildlife photography.

Now that you are able to predict the behavior and now when to click the shutter, you need to get yourself in the right position.  The lower the better so do whatever it takes, safely, to get a nice low angle with your camera.

Also, and this is very important, you need to position yourself so that the sunlight, hopefully late afternoon or early morning, comes from the side, or even very slightly from the back, of the giraffe.  This will make the water come to life as it sparkles in the light.

Make sure to have your camera set to a fast enough shutter speed to crisply capture the moment and also keep the shutter going.  A second either way will make you loose the beautiful ‘S’ curve.

When you are next photographing giraffe in the wild give it a bash and let me know how it went!

Until next time.

Gerry van der Walt

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Nikon D300, Nikon 80-400 VR @ 400mm, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 400

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

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I find Giraffe quite difficult to photograph.

Portrait or landscape?  How to frame the shot?  Strange lines?

This is what keeps it interesting though.  Trying new ways to shoot the same old subjects.  Yesterday we came across two male giraffes who were started to push each other around a bit.  The were far off in the bush and most of their bodies were covered by harsh Acacia trees but a little patience is all it took to get a few decent images.

This image is more about the simplicity and the lines rather than the actual animals.

When you are next out in the field, be patient, look around and try different things!  There are always new, and different image to be made.

Until next time!

Gerry

Giraffes in Rain

Nikon D300, Nikon 80-400 VR @ 400mm, 1/15, f/5.6, ISO 200

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

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I captured the above image a few days ago in pouring rain.

We were sitting at a watering hole in the Madikwe Game Reserve as the rain started coming down harder and harder.  Eventually it was absolutely bucketing down so we decided it was better to sit still and rely on the Land Cruiser’s roof to keep us dry than try and drive through the torrential rains.

Quite some distance away a small group of giraffe lined up perfectly so the shutters started clicking.  The idea here was to use a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the subject yet slow enough the blur the rain drops.  After a bit of experimenting I got this shot which I absolutely love.

Perhaps it is the moment that was just pure magic or the visual simplicity of the moment.  The bottom line is – never stop shooting!

Don’t let rain stop you from snapping away.  There are amazing images waiting to be made!

Until next time.

Gerry

Thank you for all the comments, Facebook messages, tweets and emails.  It is the support and encouragement that keeps me doing what I do and I am very excited to see where things go in 2011.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for 2011.

Travel safe, spend time with the ones you love and take care of yourself!

Gerry

Welcome to October 2010!

Yeah yeah, I know it is a little late but only a few days!

As you know, at the beginning of each month you get to download an African wildlife wallpaper for your computer directly from Photo-Africa.  All the following images were captured in the Madikwe Game Reserve and features real wild animals.  No zoos.  No cages.  This is real African wildlife photography.

Like always, each of the following three downloads includes a handy desktop calendar and is available in two sizes.  The large version of each image is sized at 2560 x 1600 and the smaller one 1280 x 800.

Hope you enjoy!

October 2010 – Wallpaper #1

The giraffe must be one of the most quintessentially African animals out there.  This one was walking along an open field making for a great African moment.  Click on the image to download the large version or click here to download the smaller version.

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October 2010 – Wallpaper #2

Right up there with truly African animals is the Zebra.  This little dazzle kept us busy one morning as they grazed in some amazing morning light.  Click on the image to download the large version or click here to download the smaller version.

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October 2010 – Wallpaper #3

This photograph of a Lioness was great in color but just felt right as a soft, glowing sepia image.  Click on the image to download the large version or click here to download the smaller version.

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Feel free to share these wallpapers with your friends and family!  Let me know which one is your favorite!

Bye 4 now!

Gerry

Giraffe

Madikwe Game Reserve, 29 May 2010, 08h13

Nikon D300, Nikon 80-200 @ 170mm, 1/1000, f/4, ISO 200

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Having just gotten back to Madikwe I have not had too many photo opportunities yet.  Two short morning drives, both in cold overcast conditions, did not deliver much and the highlight was a journey of giraffes which suddenly came to life as the clouds opened up.  The clouds in the background was dark but for a few moments there was an image worth taking as the giraffe came to life.    I had to walk past a small clump of thickets to get a better composition, hoping the tall guy wouldn’t run away, which in the end is pretty straight forward.  In wildlife photograph it is often best to keep things simple.

Back with more soon!

Gerry

Nick van de Wiel has just uploaded new images to the Photo-Africa Stock Library.

Forest Tree Frog in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park by Nick van de Wiel

Giraffe in the shade of a Marula tree in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park by Nick van de Wiel

To view more of or purchase any of Nick’s images click here.

More soon.

Gerry

Fabian Haas has just added 3 new images to the Photo-Africa Stock Library.

Giraffe and Ngong Hills by Fabian Haas

Kori Bustard in Nairobi National Park by Fabian Haas

To see more of or purchase Fabian’s images click here.

More soon.

Gerry

Fabian Haas, a new photographer on Photo-Africa, has just uploaded 18 new images to the Photo-Africa Stock Library.

Sunrise over Spoonbill Pond by Fabian Haas

Giraffe Grooming by Fabian Haas

To view more of or purchase any of Fabian’s images click here.  Looking forward to seeing more of Fabian’s work.

More soon.

Gerry