3 African Birds

[Dale D]

No drone shots today but I could not help but share these from a recent trip to Zimbabwe.

Probably the most time consuming jobs of photographing African Wildlife is trying to capture elusive and rapidly flitting birds. You barely have a millisecond to get the lens on the bird and focus before it flies away. These images required long periods of patiently waiting for birds to settle on a perch and assumed a suitable pose. Shutter speeds have to be rapid, as does rapidly achieving focus. Here are some of my efforts. I hope you enjoy them. There is no better place rich in colorful bird life than Africa. These were all photographed in Hwange National Park, in Zimbabwe (September,2025). . All birds were shot with Nikon Z8 body, Nikkor 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 lens set at f/8 and 600 mm. Auto ISO , 1/640 sec. and a gimbal to steady the rig.
click on images to enlage

 

[Lens]

Those are great shots Dale! Thanks for sharing.

 

[REStewart]

Incredible images Dale. Thank you for sharing!!! Many may not comprehend your intro regarding "patience" but this old guy does. Could you do this without a guide or escort?

 

[Dale D]

Thanks for the good words. As you noted, each bird required at least 35-45 minutes for a capture. My wife and my guide were patient, and I had a private safari vehicle. You could never get away with this without a private vehicle! When I booked the safari I requested a private vehicle for the entire 12 days. There is no doubt you could enter a national park (Hwange National Park) on your own but I wouldn't advise it. The risks are huge- getting lost, not finding game, being attacked by game if you are not an experienced guide and know wild animal behavior. We had lions next to our car, as well as elephants within arm's reach. I could go on. Happy to discuss on direct message.

 

[PHZ]

What a great experience. Thank you for sharing some of it.

 

[Dale D]

What a great experience. Thank you for sharing some of it.

Please wait for the video. It will be about a month or so. Usually, my video is sort of a travelogue, about 20 minutes.

 

[PHZ]

Please wait for the video. It will be about a month or so. Usually, my video is sort of a travelogue, about 20 minutes.

I love your videos.

 

[twickers14]

Fab shots Dale and can’t wait for the video. Where will I find it or will you post it here? That fish eagle is supreme and the other shots brilliant too. It is a place rich in wildlife-my maternal Grandad lived and worked out of Bulawayo as a photographer for National Geographic and he owned a photographic shop in the City too. I treasure my Robert’s Birds of Africa which he gave me before I could read!

 

[Dale D]

Fab shots Dale and can’t wait for the video. Where will I find it or will you post it here? That fish eagle is supreme and the other shots brilliant too. It is a place rich in wildlife-my maternal Grandad lived and worked out of Bulawayo as a photographer for National Geographic and he owned a photographic shop in the City too. I treasure my Robert’s Birds of Africa which he gave me before I could read!

Hi TWwickers.

Thanks to my Naples,FL visitor/friend. To be sure you get the video, DM me (direct message) your e-mail and I will add it to my e-mail Photo-group," of more than 70 people who I send out my stuff to.