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  1. #1
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Some of you may know from the N&W forum that I just returned from a week long trip to South Africa a few days ago. Since this is post number 5,000 for me, I thought I would make it a big one, and share a few photos from my trip.

    The journey was a long one, but well worth it. The wife and I spent a total of 5 days just to get to and from the park/resort that we spent a week at. It was a long time to spend on planes, buses and cars just to get to our room, but I would do it all over again in a second.

    The package that we purchased included all our meals,and two photo trips per day within a private gave reserve. We had the option to go to other parks/reserves in the area as well.

    We spent a night in Johannesburg when we first arrived in South Africa. We were only there for a night, and left early in the morning to catch another plane to take us closer to our final destination. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep so I went outside and took some photos of a fountain right outside of our room.



    Once we got checked into our room we killed a little time, then went on our first game drive of the trip. What a blast! I could have done this all day, and in fact we did spend 12 hours in an open top truck on one of our days.

    We saw a ton of wart hogs, impala, nyalas, kudus, wildebeests, zebras and tons of cool birds.

    A hippo staying cool in the pond.



    Vervet Monkey



    Zebra outside our room.



    One of the other places we had the option of visiting was a rehabilitation center for wild cats. The wife and I are not big fans for house cats, but we love big wild cats! We knew we were guaranteed to see some big cats so we went to check it out. They had 4 of the 7 big cats at this facility. They had African wildcats, serval cats, caracals, and cheetahs. The african wildcats look pretty much like a house cat. In fact they breed with house cats. The serval cats are beautiful! Once they fed the serval cats, we were allowed to go in the cage with them to get a closer view.



    As pretty as all the other cats were, I was there for the cheetah!

    We were also allowed to go into the cheetah pen once it was fed. Once inside, the handler would let the cheetah lick the blood from the food, out of the food bucket. While the cheetah was busy with it's head in the bucket, you were allowed to pet it. I did not pet it as I was too busy taking photos.

    This one was taken before it was fed, from outside the pen.



    Here are a few pics from the day we spent 12 hours in the truck exploring Hluhluwe/Imfolozi game reserve.

    A couple of giraffes on the ridge as the sun was trying to come out.



    It was a foggy morning.



    We came across some women gathering materials for thatching roofs. Not sure I would want to be out there wandering around with lions, and elephants!



    Some water buffalo taking it easy as a crane stalks it's lunch.



    Another trip we took was to the Tembe Elephant Park. They have a blind set up at a watering hole so you can sit and wait to see what for the elephants, and anything else that may happen along. I could have stayed here all day long.

    This elephant we found along the road. It's truck had a large hole ripped in it from were it had been caught in a snare a long time ago. You can't see it in this photo. The elephant seemed to be doing fine despite the damage.



    These next few shots are from the blind. There is a web cam at the blind so you can check it out yourself, just remember the time difference. www.zulucam.com



    This is a very rare 5 legged elephant!



    Mom and baby.



    We stopped at a little market one day, and I couldn't resist taking this little boys photo.



    After the market we took a boat tour of the St. Lucia Estuary. We saw lots of hippos, crocodiles, and tons of birds! Most of our trips seemed to be at the worst time of the day for photos, and the St. Lucia trip was the worst. Bright sun straight over head, reflecting off the water made taking photos very difficult.

    Despite the challenges, we made sure we enjoyed ourselves, and saw and did as much as we could while we were there. We had a great guide for the week, and the accomodations and food were great. Not to mention the other people we met there as well. It was a great trip, and one I don't see us repeating anytime soon, so I'm glad we took the opportunity when it presented itself.

    Here are a few more shots to close out the post.

    Zebra close up from right outside our room.



    A burchell's coucal



    A photo from the Johannasburg airport while we were waiting for a plane to take us home.

    Last edited by mjs1973; 06-04-2008 at 05:05 AM.
    Mike

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    "I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."
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  2. #2
    Senior Member Dylan8i's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    wow what a great trip. your pictures represent it well ( id think- since i wasn't actually there) but seem to give a good over view.

    i absolutely love the fog in the morning photo.
    check out my photography website
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    Please feel free to edit or change any of my pictures to show me how to improve them.



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  3. #3
    Spamminator Grandpaw's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Very nice set of pictures and congratulations on post number 5,000, Jeff
    Check out my website Here
    My Nikon D7000 Tips thread is HERE

    All images posted by me anywhere are Copyrighted by Federal Law and may not be copied or used in ANY FORM without my personal written permission. Jeff Impey
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  4. #4
    Member Dave Smith's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Congrats on post number 5,000 mjs1973
    Thanks for sharing these magnificant photos from your trip
    Dave

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  5. #5
    project forum co-moderator Frog's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Thanks for sharing these. Love all the pics.
    Keep Shooting!

    CHECK OUT THE PHOTO PROJECT FORUM
    http://forums.photographyreview.com/...splay.php?f=34

    Please refrain from editing my photos without asking.

  6. #6
    Ex-Modster Old Timer's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Fantastic Mike! I enjoyed every picture and word. A once in a lifetime experience and because of your great images you and the wife can enjoy it over and over. Don't understand people who don't take pictures. Congrats on 5K and welcome home.
    Don't forget about the Gallery. Are your photos there??


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  7. #7
    Senior Member AmberC's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    WOW.. that is so awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing all of that with us. What an amazing trip
    Amber
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    Please do not edit my images.. thanks

  8. #8
    Mi tortuga es guapo. Kokopeli's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Wow Mike, I'm jealous! Absolutely stunning images. Looks like the trip of a lifetime.

    ~Brian
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  9. #9
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    holy 5000 posts, congrats and man, i wish i could have gone there with you, sounds like you had a blast!
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  10. #10
    photo gallery Mod. starriderrick's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Welcome home,thanks for sharing these Mike. I have to agree with Dylan8i,
    The foggy morning is a sweet capture.

    P.S.What happens when you hit 5K ? :O)

    Rick









  11. #11
    Senior Member mn shutterbug's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Wow, what a post to save for number 5000. Looks like you had quite the trip. Thanks for sharing the fabulous photos and captions. However, next time, leave your wife at home and take me instead.
    Mike
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  12. #12
    Princess of the OT adina's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Are you sure that's a fifth leg on that elephant?

    Gorgeous, gorgeous images, I'm so jealous.
    I sleep, but I don't rest.

  13. #13
    Film Forum Moderator Xia_Ke's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    WOW! Looks like you had one hell of a trip! Beautiful shots. I'll be looking forward to seeing more shots as you get them processed over the coming weeks :thumbsup:
    Aaron Lehoux * flickr
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  14. #14
    light wait photophorous's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Wow, what an awesome trip! Thanks for sharing. You got some great photos!

    Paul

  15. #15
    Seasoned Amateur WesternGuy's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Wow, thanks for the photos - makes a guy want to go.

    Cheers,

    WesternGuy

  16. #16
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Thanks for looking and commenting everyone. It truly was a wonderful experience and one that I hope to do again someday down the road. I'm going to try to build a web gallery for the rest of my photos and I will let you know if/when that is done and ready for viewing.

    Quote Originally Posted by adina
    Are you sure that's a fifth leg on that elephant?
    I stand corrected. It's a 2 trunked elephant! :blush2:
    Mike

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    "I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."
    Aldo Leopold

  17. #17
    Senior Member
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Great work. Glad you had a good time.
    PLEASE ASK BEFORE MAKING ANY EDITS. THANK YOU.

    If I care enough to leave a critique or comment on your work, please return the favor.

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  18. #18
    Senior Member retroactiv's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    what an amazing trip you were able to take. I hope that this isn't the end of your pictures that you are going to show to us.
    Chris Johnson
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  19. #19
    Stop Or I'll Shoot Photography Lori11's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Wow wow wow. Amazing photo's, I felt like I was reading a story by your descriptions, ty! I LOVE elephants so they are my fave pics!

  20. #20
    Pentax Forum Moderator
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Simply Awesome, Michael, Sounds like the 2 of you had the trip of a lifetime. Your pictures IMHO belong in National Geographic.
    Ken


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  21. #21
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Thanks Lori and Ken.

    This truly was an amazing trip. I would go back in a second if I could.

    Loupey had asked about the gear I took, and what it was like traveling with it. If anyone is interested you can find a detailed write up of what I took with me, what I used the most, what I didn't use at all and what it was like traveling with all the gear I took, check out this thread:

    Back from Africa!!
    Mike

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    "I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."
    Aldo Leopold

  22. #22
    nature/wildlife co-moderator paulnj's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    My first viewfinder view in over a year... and it's a great one!
    CAMERA BIRD NERD #1




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  23. #23
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Thanks Paul. Now get back in the N&W forum.
    Mike

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    "I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."
    Aldo Leopold

  24. #24
    They call me P-Wac JETA's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! That's a trip of a lifetime. I appreciate you taking the time to share some of it with us. Even the 5 legged elephant. LOL
    It's not blurry. It's bokeh.

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  25. #25
    mod squad gahspidy's Avatar
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    Re: My trip to Africa, and post #5k!!

    Love the pics, Mike. You put in some good time there.
    please do not edit and repost my photos


    gary


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