PhotoShare: Ground Hornbill in the Air

This is going to be an exciting week at the Erasmus house, folks! Our first child is arriving sometime between today and Thursday...so things are bound to change around here! Will keep you updated as things progress. We are very excited and anxious to welcome out daughter Aimee into this world.

In the meantime - here's another PhotoShare for you to enjoy. Those who have been to Africa before will know that the Ground Hornbill is quite a quirky character. They normally walk around on the ground (hence the name) and hunt for anything from locusts to small reptiles. On this occasion we had the rare privilege of seeing a whole family of these interesting birds up in a tree early one morning in the northern Kruger National Park.

The light was sweet and the birds obliged.

f4.0  //  1/1000 SS  //  ISO-500

Morkel Erasmus

PhotoShare: Lion Loving

Warning - this pose is PG13!! Hahaha...


During a trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa over September of 2009, we came across an amorous lion couple by the side of the road in front of a fallen camelthorn tree.


Those of you who have been fortunate enough to witness their courtship up close and personal would know that it's an unforgettable experience. The noises they make while doing their thing are spine-chilling and they tend to keep at it for a few consecutive days, allowing many safari-goers to enjoy the sighting.


Many photographers have taken photos of lions mating in places like the Serengeti, allowing for smooth, clean backgrounds. What I like about this presentation, is the ferocity of the absolute pinnacle of their act of procreation, depicted against a backdrop of an iconic Kalahari background of a fallen camelthorn acacia.


What do you think?

f5.6  //  1/2000 SS  //  ISO-400

Enjoy the coming weekend, and don't leave your cameras in their bags!


Morkel Erasmus

PhotoShare: Hung Over Hyena

I have been so swamped with work and preparations for the coming of our baby, that I haven't even found time to do a decent first post for 2011.

Here is a quicky: a young Spotted Hyena which we encountered in the Kruger Park in 2009. He was looking VERY groggy, as if he'd had a very late night with a few drinks too many.

Enjoy!!

Morkel Erasmus