Botswana Okavango Delta D7C_15580
My second close encounter of the third kind with an elephant in the Okavango Delta's Moremi Reserve created less surprise, and I managed to rotate the camera on the monopod, reframe and get the shot. This time the elephant was so close I had to zoom right back to the minimum focal length of 280mm...
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#326 on Flickr's Explore
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
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Botswana Okavango Delta D7C_15568
An Impala takes cover under the shade of a tree in the afternoon heat of Botswana's Moremi Reserve in the Okavango Delta.
View On Black
#318 on Flickr's Explore
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
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Uploaded on Nov 30, 2009
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Botswana Okavango Delta D7C_15552
The advice to bring the 200-400mm lens with a 1.4x multiplier just in case was a great idea, until you look through the lens at 550mm and see this! Objects appear closer than they are!. The Moremi resorve really lives up to its reputation of being elephant country.
View On Black
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
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Botswana Okavango Delta D7C_15530
Shortly after we encountered our first of hundreds if not thousands of elephants, our guide pointed out a giant lizard on a tree.
More 'super-telephoto practice': even by the time I actually spotted the lizard, finding it through the lens is a bit like using powerful binoculars. The restrictive view means you just can't orientate yourself at first. The short depth of field also means you have focus through the many layers of greenery, but when you get the shot, it's crystal clear...
View On Black
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
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Botswana Okavango Delta D7C_15523
Interior shot of our tent at Camp Moremi. There's very few tents in the camp and tourism in general in Botswana is limited, and correspondingly pricey, but well worth it for a lifetime experience.
Named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, Moremi Game Reserve is located on the South Eastern side of Botswana's Okavanga Delta and provides strong contrasts between areas which are largely dry and those that are permanently under water. The thick tree zones abruptly change from lush green to dead wood, stripped bare by elephants. Covering a relatively small 5000 sqm, about 70% is part of the Okavango Delta, and as such often swampy or under completely water. The 4x4 vehicles routinely cross the lagoons, while larger distances have to covered by Cessna, between the many small airstrips. Shorter distances can also be covered by foot to create a more unusual safari experience.
Home to some 500 species including Buffalo, Giraffes, Lions, Hyaenas, Jackals Impalas, Lechwe and Leopards, with the latter hard to find in the dense fauna. Although warned about mosquitos, we encountered few on this part of our trip.
The Okavango Delta is the world's largest inland Delta. The Okavango River starts in Angola as the Cubango River, it then follows the border between Angola and Namibia, and drops across the Popa Falls as it enters Botswana. The Okavango River by then spreads itself some 1.2km wide before encountering the Kalahari Desert's northern Basins where it forms the spectacular Okavango Delta. A partial escape is found in the rainy season, when there is an outflow to the Boteti River, which then discharges into the Makgadikgadi Pans, and so providing the seasonal wetland where tens of thousands of Flamingos congregate.
The Delta is constantly under threat due to the Water conflict between Namibia and Botswana. Namibia wants to construct a water canal draining off the Okavango River as it passes through its Caprivi Strip to relieve local draught. The Delta would likely reduce, or even disappear, which would have a devastating impact on Botswana's tourism, not to mention the impact on the flora and fauna. Botswana itself is continuously under fire for its sustained use of veterinary fence, which protect cattle farms, but also block natural migration routes. Two fences cut right through the Delta.
All rights reserved
Uploaded on Nov 30, 2009
3 comments
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