It was a foggy morning on the banks of Russia’s Kurilskoye Lake in Kamchatka. A large brown bear strolls past us and in the misty background, the shape of a rival bear can just be seen just through the mist.
Nikon D5; AF-S NIKKOR 800 mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens at 800mm; 1/640 sec at f7.1; ISO 6400.
Each year Humpback Whales migrate back to the Hawaiian Islands from Alaska. Females give birth there, and at that time, males fight for the rights of females. These two Humpback Whales fight off the coast of Maui by breaching the surface and hitting their bodies, against each other for mating rights.
Nikon D810; AF-S NIKKOR 300 mm f/4E PF ED VR lens at 300mm; 1/2000 sec at f13; ISO 2000
On the banks of the Kambal’nyy River of Russia’s Kamchatka, the brown bears were abundant. I noticed this bear and framed the portrait with my lens wide open at f5.6 on my 800mm with the rock in the background being light grey to get some separation.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 800 mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens at 800mm; 1/1600 sec at f11; ISO 3200
Protection of African elephants is a high-profile conservation cause in many countries. In 1989 and 2016, the Kenyan Wildlife Service burned a stockpile of tusks in protest against the ivory trade. However, African elephant populations are still being devastated by poaching despite nominal governmental protection, and some nations permit the hunting of elephants for sport. In 2012, The New York Times reported a large upsurge in ivory poaching, with about 70% of the product flowing to China. This continues despite new laws in China to restrict trade. The white elephant was taken in Etosha, Namibia. The white dust from the salt pan gave the elephant its majestic “white” presence in the late afternoon whilst the light was at its best.
Nikon D5; AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 mm f/2.8E FL ED lens at 70mm; 1/250 sec at f8; ISO 500.
Nikon D4S; 800 mm f5.6E FL ED VR lens at 800mm; 1/2000 sec at f10; ISO 3200.
This is Scarface. He is a brown bear and the alpha male on the stretch of Khakyitsin River in Kamchatka, Russia we were camped up by.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens at 180 mm; 1/640 sec at f8; ISO 1000.
A Humpback whale – cruising off the coast of Maui, Hawaii.
Nikon D500; AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR lens at 170mm; 1/1000 sec at f9; ISO 1250.
The South Luangwa valley. A hyena cools off after a mud bath in the hot afternoon sun.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens at 550mm; 1/1250 sec at f5.6; ISO 400.
Nikon D4S; AF-S NIKKOR 300 mm f/2.8G ED VRII lens at 300mm; 1/250 sec at f7.1; ISO 5000.
After feasting for a few hours by the edge of the Kurilskoye Lake in Kamchatka, this brown bear decided to take a nap. The salmon were abundant this year, and with a belly full of the fish, sleep was the order for the next few hours.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 800 mm f/5.6E FL ED VR lens at 800mm; 1/1600 sec at f11; ISO 3200
Sunset with two white rhinos.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens at 370 mm; 1/800 sec at f5.6; ISO 500.
With limited water until the rainy season gets fully under way, these hippo’s gather in large communities in the local mud pool to cool down from the sun.
Nikon D810; AF-S NIKKOR 70–200mm f/2.8 lens at 86mm; 1/500 sec at f8; ISO 640.
Zebra stallions will fight with each other for females.
The mountain zebra (Equus zebra) of southwest Africa tends to have a sleek coat with a white belly and narrower stripes than the plains zebra. It has two subspecies and is classified as vulnerable.
Nikon D5; AF-S NIKKOR 70-200 mm f/2.8E FL ED lens at 116mm; 1/1250 sec at f11; ISO 800.
Portrait of a painted wolf taken in Namibia.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens at 195 mm; 1/2000 sec at f5.6; ISO 1600
Zebras are African equids (horse family) best known for their distinctive white and black stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. Like horses, zebras walk, trot, canter and gallop. When chased, a zebra will zig-zag from side to side, making it more difficult for the predator.
Nikon D500; AF-S NIKKOR 200-500 mm f/5.6E ED VR lens at 210mm; 1/3200 sec at f8; ISO 500.
The brown bear has long been extinct in Ireland and Britain, but still exists in Northern Europe and in Russia. There is a small but growing population in the Pyrenees, on the border between Spain and France, which was once on the edge of extinction.
Nikon D810; 800 mm f5.6E FL ED VR lens at 800mm; 1/1250 sec at f10; ISO 3200.
Watering hole – Etoshia National Park, Namibia. Its the dry season. After the rains have passed, the call of the waterhole and its promise of refreshment lured out this herd of Zebra as well as many other animals.
Technical specification
Nikon D500; AF-S NIKKOR 200-500 mm f/5.6E ED VR lens at 200mm; 1/1000 sec at f11; ISO 800.
Tuskless females are becoming increasingly common, as poachers slaughter those with the precious white ivory. This means their population “ends up with a higher proportion of tuskless animals who then reproduce and tend to produce tuskless offspring. While almost all male African elephants have tusks, around 2 to 6 percent of females live life with none whatsoever. However, up to 33 percent of younger females are now born without tusks.
Nikon D810; 70-200 mm f/2.8E FL ED lens at 200mm; 1/1000 sec at f8; ISO 500.
Nikon D4S; 600 mm f4E FL ED VR lens at 600mm; 1/1000 sec at f5.6; ISO 3200.
Zambia and the South Laungwa National Park. A family of elephants come to drink at a local watering hole.
Nikon D850; AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens at 290mm; 1/1600 sec at f5.6; ISO 640.
Nikon D4S; AF-S NIKKOR 300 mm f2.8G ED VRII lens at 300mm; 1/250 sec at f7.1; ISO 5000
