FINALLY : WILD DOGS !!

Adult wild dog

D4s, 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/400, ISO 560

I have now been to eastern & southern Africa more than 20 times …. and I have seen a large (!!) variety of African wildlife species. However,- of some reason, I have never seen wild dogs. I`ve been close a couple of times in Tanzania seeing fresh footprints and even warm (!) droppings, but so far :
no cigar !
Finally …. on my last visit to Zimanga Game Reserve, South Africa in July… my "long term suffering" was put to an end as I encountered a pack of 7 adults & 12 puppies. During a couple of magic days I saw them interacting, hunting, grooming and the youngsters playing making little, and after some time : no notice of my presence. A beautiful and emotional experience that I will never forget !

The African wild dog has been seriously endangered for more than 20 years and the world population of the African wild dog is now down to approx 6 500 individuals. The main reason for this disasterous decline is the loss of habitat to human civilization …. as a pack of wild dogs can cover more than 900 square miles.

Thanks to Dean Wraith

Når man, etter 20 års leting(!), endelig møter en flokk hyenehunder står de fotografiske utfordringene i kø. Den afrikanske sola står som kjent rett opp av horisonten og faller rett ned igjen om kvelden,- dvs. periodene med godt fotolys er svært korte. Det skal mye flaks og god timing til for å treffe hundene i akkurat disse periodene. Resten av dagen er lyset som oftest steinhardt. I tillegg er dyra flekkete og oppholder seg i bushen der miljøet er fullt av forstyrrende detaljer med høylys og dype skygger. Man må bare håpe å treffe dem i et miljø med en viss avstand til bakgrunnen. I tillegg jobbet jeg bevisst med lange brennvidder og stor blenderåpning for å "blure" mest mulig av de "forstyrrende" omgivelsene

Adult wild dog

200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/400, ISO 800

Adult wild dog

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/5,6, 1/400, ISO 1250

Adult wild dog

D4s, 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/800, ISO 400

A pack of wild dogs hunting

D4s, 600 4,0, f/5,6, 1/500, ISO 2200

Adult wild dog hunting

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/5,0, 1/400, ISO 2800

Puppies playing
D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 2200

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1250, ISO 2200

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,o, 1/1000, ISO 5000

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 5000

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 6400

D4s, 200-400 4,0,f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 5000

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 3600

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 3600

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1250, ISO 3600

D4s, 200-400 4,0, f/4,0, 1/1000, ISO 2000