IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE, 2006 (Scroll down for previous months)

ERROR IN JUDGMENT Cow Moose and Calf, Sanctuary River, Denali National Park Nature is not always pretty. This cow moose tried to cross the Sanctuary River in mid-May with her days-old calf in tow. She appeared to be a young mother, so maybe didn't know better. And the just born calf didn't have the life-experience to balk at the crossing, so dutifully followed. Fortunately the river was fairly shallow, but the channel was cut through ice, with fairly steep ice banks that the calf couldn't climb. The disturbed part of the ice showed where the calf had struggled, probably with nudges from its mother, but finally fell from exhaustion and drowned. The corpse quickly floated downstream. Canon 20D digital camera, EF 100-400mm f4.5L IS lens at 400mm, handheld with Image Stabilization. Exposure of 1/250 second at f8, ISO 200.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR MAY, 2006

MOM TAXI Olive Baboons, Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya Mass transit in Kenya is very abundant--since most Kenyans can't afford a vehicle--except in the National Parks, where one must make do... Junior here is probably capable of everything except long journeys, but when you can get a free ride from Mom, what the heck! Canon 1D Mark II digital camera, EF 100-400mm f4.5L IS lens at 100mm, handheld. Exposure of 1/50 second at f10 (for intentional motion blur), ISO 100.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL, 2006

THE LEAVES ARE ALWAYS GREENER... Male Gerenuk Feeding On Acacia Leaves, Samburu Reserve, Kenya With so many browsers feeding on the lower parts of a tree, the Gerenuk has evolved with a longer neck than most, to increase their browsing range into the untouched upper branches. Hence, their name means "giraffe-necked" in the Somali language. And they have also learned to stand on their hind legs, often without support, to extend that range further. Canon 1D Mark II digital camera, EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS lens with EF 1.4X teleconverter, handheld. Exposure of 1/250 second at f9, ISO 200.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH, 2006

OUCH! Masai Giraffe Feeding on Acacia, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Life can be hard on the plains of Africa, and to survive, all living things have learned to adapt. To preserve its leaves needed for photosynthesis, the Acacia trees have developed sharp thorns to hinder browsers (like this giraffe) from feeding on them. And to prevent starvation, the giraffe has developed a digestive system that allows them to chew and digest those same thorns that the Acacia uses for defense. But for the human observer, the first word that comes to mind is OUCH! Canon 1D Mark II digital camera, EF 500mm f4.5L lens, mounted on Arca B-1 ballhead and Kirk Window Mount. Exposure of 1/200 second at f8, ISO 125.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY, 2006

ANY HIGH VIEWPOINT WILL DO Female Cheetah, Masai Mara Reserve, Kenya On a relatively flat plain like the Masai Mara, good elevated observation points for the cheetah are not always easy to find. The usual choice is a termite mound, but the cheetahs have learned to adapt. Those pesky tourists have inadvertently provided mobile platforms that easily double the height of a termite mound--much better for spotting those diminutive Thomson's Gazelles. On a more serious note, the cheetah population in East Africa is seriously declining. The most likely cause is too many safari vehicles and their driver's perceived 'need' to provide an intimate experience for their passengers. But sometimes the cheetah choses how intimate the experience is! Canon 20D digital camera, EF 70-200mm f2.8L lens at 70mm, handheld. Exposure of 1/640 second at f8, ISO 200.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH FOR JANUARY, 2006

REMEMBER TO LOOK UP Female Leopard In Acacia Tree, Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya Since most of the animals you are searching for on a photo safari are ground dwellers, one tends to forget that some ground animals also like to perch in trees. Leopards prefer to spend their daylight hours draped over a favorite branch, away from the pesky flies (and maybe pesky photographers!), with a chance for a cooling breeze. Often they have dragged an animal carcass along with them, mainly for safe-keeping (away from lions and hyenas), as well as for a mid-day snack. Canon 1D Mark II digital camera, EF 500mm f4.5L lens, mounted on Arca B-1 ballhead and Kirk Window Mount. Exposure of 1/60 second at f11, ISO 160.

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