The first collection I ever did was Elephant Art which received some nice feedback. I’d like to welcome these pictures to the herd. (By the way, the strange pictures of him with his mouth to the ground actually show him eating sand and loving it.) What a great sighting!

Here’s the cut though – I had to take the standard issue elephant shots for the researchers as well as more artistic shots (for myself) at the same time.

The normal research images would show the side view, the head shot and close ups (of the ears) which are all use to identify the elephants as individuals, for the record.

My kit at the time was a pair of Nikon Æ bodies, an F2 model with motor drive and 600mm lens, an FM model with a 105mm lens plus a 28mm Wide Angle. Film used in the F2 was Tri-x Pan (400 ASA) and Kodachrome Transparency (100 ASA) loaded in the FM.

For those who have toured the Chobe looking for elephants, you can’t miss them, there’s about 10,000 odd head, made up of herds in excess of 120 elephants, in the area. Strange as it might seem, given the numbers, is that there are days when you just don’t see them. Lucky for me, and the researchers, this was not one of the ‘no-show’ days.

The team was tracking a batchelor herd via radio-collar and knew the group was just exiting Namibia without the benifit of passports – elephants know no borders or international boundries. Our mode of transport was a large alluminium launch with a local game guide at the helm. We were on the water, tracking via radio, for 30 minutes when we saw the herd wondering through a herd of Caprivi Buffalo (ubiquitous cattle) toward the Chobe River.

The herd entered the water opposite the Chobe Game Lodge (y’know, where Burton and Taylor were married), and were quickly surrounded by the other lodges’ double decker game viewing boats. We had to wait for the tourists to get bored and move on. It didn’t take long, I think because of a heated conversation between our guide and the other boat drivers. On dry land it’s hard enough getting a shot of Lion with a crowd of tour vehicles in the way, (as in Kenya) but elephant in the water is difficult.

I spotted the elephent with the radio collar strapped on. I started shooting with the FM, and then swopped over to the F2/600mm combo for the close-ups. Detail at first was a difficulty because of the now very wet pacaderms’ glistening hulks. As the herd approached the shallows the photo opportunities became easier. We had to stay about 200 feet away from the ‘boys’ because of the sandbank between us and the batchelors, but it suited the 600mm lens and I was getting a fair amount of the ‘required’ shots. This not being the digital age, with the instant gratification of replay, I had to trust my exposures and framing.

Now it was getting interesting. I had shot profile images of the herd and decided it was time for my elephant ’snaps’. I used the FM/105mm combo mostly, with the occasional lens swop to the 28mm, as we were pretty close to the romping beasts. The individuals making up the batchelor herd have their own personalities and ‘methods of play’ in the water. Some would submerge fully (which means they merely roll over on their sides to cover themselves in the river) and use their trunks for ‘air control’, the famous snorkel shot. A couple would play in mock battle, almost in slow motion, totally relaxed while others would break off from the herd to wallow next to the river bank – perfect for a singular concentration on an individual.

The elephants in the water do not feel that observers on boats are a threat, so their behavior is not affected unless you get too close with the boat. On dry land it’s another story, but if you are in a boat and the elephants are on the bank, you can get real close as in 28mm terms, within spitting distance.

I have photographed elephants in the Chobe, (and Moremi/Savuti reserves) since the late sixties and have seen some rare sights over the years, and the elephants never cease to amaze me. To me, a shot of an elephant is really a wonderful event, an interaction between species and I would hope that we can observe and record these beautiful mammals into the the future.

Paul Lindenberg

Pauls Links:

- Website:  eGraphine

- Website: ZaadTrek

The lodge also has an open boma for special dinner nights, and a campfire area for late and chilly evening chats under the starlit African skies! Not to mention the wildlife that surrounds the lodge, which is believed to be one of the richest in the world!  Sounds like a lot of fun, right?! Wait, there’s more…   

Checking-In, Says the Elephant!

You heard me right: real elephants checking-in! And NO, the photos weren’t “photoshopped” at all lol!    

Karibuni!

 Welcome to Mfuwe Lodge!   

I'd Like an XL Room, Please!

 Single or Double?   

Hellooo...anybody home? What's taking so long!

Looks like we’ve got the lodge to ourselves…   

The Story Behind This Unusual Parade…

Where's My Welcome Cocktail?!

So what is it exactly that the elephants fancy in the lodge? The breathtaking view of the river? Maybe… The chef’s divine meals then? They surely are sublime, but not even close… Perhaps it’s the cozy bedrooms, ideal for afternoon naps? Nope, close but no cigar! :) What is it???   

Are you giving up?    

Believe it or not, but the answer’s mangoes! You see, it did in fact have to do with food (although the chef is not concerned…)!   

Mangoes here we come!

When people originally built the lodge, little did they know that the area was an ancient trail elephants use annually to feed on juicy mangoes!   

Oh My...look what we've got over there!

Today, Wonky Tusk (the matriarch) comes back every year with her herd, even if it means that she has to go through the safari lodge lobby!    

What’s even more exciting is that she recently gave birth to a little baby, so you can be sure that her descendants will continue to come back for more! Elephants have excellent memory, and are extremely greedy…you bet they won’t forget those mangoes any time soon! That’s great news for enthusiastic tourists, and amazing free publicity for the lodge!   

Best Time to See Mfuwe Lodge’s Friendly Elephants?

Although the herd doesn’t come on “specific “dates each year, you are more than likely to see them when the mango trees become ripe; in November! Occasionally however, Wonky Tusk will pay a visit to the lodge earlier (in September-October), to check on the condition of the fruit!   

Mhhhhhhhh...Yummy Scrummy!

If you’d really like to experience this incredible close encounter, check out the Mfuwe Lodge website. I’m sure staff members will be more than happy to answer your questions!   

Elephants Check-In Video

Broadcaster: NewsRevue; 2008 CNN Footage!

In this first video, CNN reveals the problem around elephant populations and conservation matters. According to South African authorities, the natural balance of the ecosystem is being upset by elephant overpopulation. The pachyderms uproot trees and destroy the environment, and their increasing numbers in restricted areas means that they either have to be relocated…OR killed (in this case).

Alternatives such as relocation or sterilisation of females, they say, have had very little success!

2. The Other Side of the Picture!

Broadcaster: PachydermPowerNP

Animal Rights Activists have a completely different view on the elephant matter nonetheless. They argue that “elephant overpopulation” is just a pretext in order to sell the animal’s ivory, skin and meat. In other words, business is business! And for the authorities, a dead elephant is almost as good (if not better) than a living one!

Environmentalists also add that there is no scientific evidence that clearly states that the elephants do indeed destroy their habitat!

As you can see, the topic is HIGHLY debatable! While there is probably a bit of truth in both videos, there’s no doubt that the issue will remain problematic for many years to come!

The question is: is there a solution? With the ever increasing pressure of human populations upon their environment, animals and wildlife in general are almost condemned to be restricted in national parks and protected reserves.

What do YOU think? I’d really be curious about your opinion! Remember there are no right or wrong answers here…

Cheers and thanks in advance for your feedback .

How have you been lately? Health is good, life fantastic…that’s all I can wish you (and so much more), on this New Year already rich in emotions (Barack Obama’s inauguration, Gaza, Australia surprised by fire…)!

I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, but it’s been quite a “hectic” (and boy do I try to avoid using these words lol) week so far, and an even more “eventful” weekend!

Let’s put it that way: when you’re stuck in bed with sickness instead of being out and about, getting on with your life, it’s kind of…annoying (just a LITTLE if I may add ).

Anyway I won’t be long today, as I really really wouldn’t be able to write anything on any topic (if you have any brilliant ideas, give me a shout and I’ll keep them for later).

Today I’d like to share an incredible video with you guys! It’s an extract from the BBC (Big Cat Diary I think), and is absolutely “fantabulous“!

A mother elephant and its calf are trying to cross the river…nevertheless things don’t turn out according to plans!

Watch it until the very end it’s totally worth it!

Enjoy and talk to you soon…

Michael