Zebras drinking

StashStash Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
edited August 27, 2010 in Wildlife
While we were still visiting Lake Nakuru, our guide who has been doing this for ten years claimed it was very difficult to take pictures of zebras drinking. They are so skittish that when a vehicle pulls up they move away. The next morning we were down at the lake once again. This is one of the few areas in Africa where we can get out of our trucks. The group I was with were all busy taking pictures of flamingos and other birds that really don't hold a lot of interest for me so I wandered down to a small fresh water creek that feeds the soda lake. I sat down on a log to have a :jfriend (I know! Lets not bring filthy habits into the discussion please.) As I was puffing away, this fellow showed up and ignoring me totally he began to drink.

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Needless to say I was thrilled. I made several pictures and then put the camera down so that I could continue :jfriend. As I did, my new found friend was joined by a buddy.

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Of course that meant I now had to pick the camera up again and start shooting all over again! It's a tough life!

Again I stopped shooting in order not to waste too much of my precious :jfriend.

I'm sitting there watching these two guys when another zebra decides that he is thirsty as well!

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What's a guy to do? Again up goes the camera *CLICK* *CLICK*!!

After getting all the shots I wanted, I put the camera down. Smoke time was over so I looked over my shoulder to evaluate where I should go next. What do i see but our guide running over to where I'm at so that he can get a picture.

I turn back to see if these guys are going to stick around long enough for him to reach us. And lo and behold!!

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If these guys keep showing up, I'm going to have to swap out for a super wide angle!!

Again I click away, which was a good thing because just about then the guide reached my side, huffing and puffing (and he doesn't even smoke!), and sends the zebras skittering away. It was my lucky day!
C&C always welcome. I can't learn if I don't know what I've done wrong or could do better.

http://donbirch.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • Mark EdellMark Edell Registered Users Posts: 672 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Real nice shots and a great story to go along with it!

    Thanks for sharing!
    www.markedell.com
  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    excellent story, and great pics.
    Photos
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Love this post Stash iloveyou.gifclap.gifclap
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Very entertaining! thumb.gif

    Hey...aren't those birds in the BG?! :D
  • denisegoldbergdenisegoldberg Administrators Posts: 14,373 moderator
    edited August 27, 2010
    Fabulous!

    --- Denise
    https://www.denisegoldberg.com ... https://denise.smugmug.com

    Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
  • StashStash Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    Very entertaining! thumb.gif

    Hey...aren't those birds in the BG?! :D


    Birds are like those damn squirrels... can't escape them!rolleyes1.gifroflrolleyes1.gif

    Thanks for all the nice comments folks.
    C&C always welcome. I can't learn if I don't know what I've done wrong or could do better.

    http://donbirch.smugmug.com/
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Nice story, and photos.

    I do have a question though..................you stated "This is one of the few areas in Africa where we can get out of our trucks."

    Can you elaborate on this?

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
  • StashStash Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Sam wrote: »
    Nice story, and photos.

    I do have a question though..................you stated "This is one of the few areas in Africa where we can get out of our trucks."

    Can you elaborate on this?

    Sam


    I suppose I should have been more specific. In most of the game parks (I've been to about seven of them) there are very few place outside of picnic areas where you can safely leave the vehicle. At Lake Nakuru the shoreline is clear enough that we are allowed to get out and wander up and down taking pictures of all those damn birds. Lake Nakuru is well known for it's flocks of flamingos and most photographers rellish the chance to move around and hunt for that all elusive perfect shot. Every other park I've been to, you can only get out at designated picnic areas.
    Hope this helps. If you have more questions I'd be happy to try and answer them.

    Don
    C&C always welcome. I can't learn if I don't know what I've done wrong or could do better.

    http://donbirch.smugmug.com/
  • LindiweLindiwe Registered Users Posts: 606 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    That's just a beautiful set of pictures, with a great story to go with them! clap.gif

    Game watching seems to have become a bit more sophisticated than just hopping in a landrover and hoping nothing eats you/steps on you when you stop ;)
  • NatureMavenNatureMaven Registered Users Posts: 30 Big grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    great shots! clap.gif I guess they like the second hand smoke :D
    http://www.chrisscrogginsphotography.com
    http://twitter.com/NatureMaven
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2010
    Stash wrote: »
    I suppose I should have been more specific. In most of the game parks (I've been to about seven of them) there are very few place outside of picnic areas where you can safely leave the vehicle. At Lake Nakuru the shoreline is clear enough that we are allowed to get out and wander up and down taking pictures of all those damn birds. Lake Nakuru is well known for it's flocks of flamingos and most photographers rellish the chance to move around and hunt for that all elusive perfect shot. Every other park I've been to, you can only get out at designated picnic areas.
    Hope this helps. If you have more questions I'd be happy to try and answer them.

    Don

    Thanks for the answer.

    Sam
    www.samlinvillephotography.com
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