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African Safari NewsletterJanuary 2007 The excitement is starting to build! In just over two weeks I am off again to Tanzania on another photographic safari. I can hardly wait! Consider joining me in July or September for an unforgettable photographic safari experience! There are just a few spaces left so if interested, contact me ASAP. "How close can you get to the animals in Africa?" This is a question I am often asked. On safari we stop at a close, yet safe distance from the animals. As long as we remain calm and quiet in the vehicle, the wildlife usually feel comfortable enough to come within very close proximity to the vehicles seemingly paying no attention to the car or the occupants. This is the ideal situation because it gives us great opportunities to photograph animal behavior in their natural habitat.
Samburu National Park, KenyaCanon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400ISCopyright: Paul Renner 2006February 2007 safari to Tanzania has been sold out for months. Click here for upcoming safari details. On occasion we have seen cheetahs jump up on to a vehicle to get a better view of wildlife in the surrounding area. We were excited to find this one up on a vehicle about an hour before sunset in the Mara. It would sit up and scan the plains looking for gazelle, then lay back down and snooze for a while. This routine went on for about an hour. As the sun began to set, it got up, did a few stretching exercises, looked around and strategically peed and then pooped on the roof of the vehicle just before jumping off and walking out onto the plains in search of an unsuspecting gazelle it hoped to catch for dinner.
Masai Mara, Kenya Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2006 This may not have been a big deal, but there
were two Park Rangers that were held hostage in their vehicle. They had
rolled the car windows up tightly so the cheetah couldn't hurt them and then
had to sit there in the heat while their car windows steamed up. It was a
humorous ending to another great day in the Mara!
Announcing New Tanzania Photographic SafariFebruary 15-29, 2008
I am aware
that many of you have been waiting patiently for me to post the prices for
the 2008 Tanzania safari. Good news is, we finally have the price, bad news
is the price went up, but more good news, I feel it is still the best Safari
in Tanzania and is still less expensive compared to other reliable safari
companies. For pricing and safari details click
here. Suddenly everything changed! One of the giraffe slammed his head into the other's back and the fight was on!
The Eye of the Elephant Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2006
One morning we were surprised by Somak Safaris with a delicious bush
breakfast, served at the edge Mara River. I was walking along the bank
looking for hippos or crocodiles, when I encountered this baby impala
resting under a small tree. He appeared not to be bothered by my
presence, so I snapped a few pictures before continuing on my way along
the river.
Masai Mara, Kenya Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2006 One thing I love about watching the wildlife surprise factor. We were watching a herd of zebra in Samburu when suddenly two males split out from the herd and started fighting right in front of us. They reared up, kicked and bit each other hard and then went right back to getting along with eac other in the herd. Maybe there is a lesson somewhere in that for us.
Buffalo Springs, Samburu, Kenya Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2006 Important Safari Information:
Few things get my heart pounding faster than watching a hunting lion. Their patience is uncanny. They will wait, watching and studying their prey, sometimes for hours, planning their attack for exactly the right moment to catch their victim off guard. Suddenly they crouch low hugging the ground as they creep silently toward their prey. They focus on the weakest animal, but maintain a constant awareness for the rest of the herd. When hunting as a pride, they will work as a team, orchestrating a well planned attack to cut off possible escape routes of their prey, sometimes even herding the startled animal into the trap waiting lions.
Lake Nakuru National Park , Kenya Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2006 Lions usually attack the weakest animal in a herd. This accomplishes two things: the first being an easier hunt for the lions and more importantly, by killing the weaker animal, they promote survival of the fittest, whereby the healthier animals are left to breed and carry on the stronger, healthier genes of the species.
Masai Mara National Park, Kenya Canon 20D, Lens- 100 - 400IS Copyright: Paul Renner 2005 Lodges and camps we use on our Safaris
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