by mitchellkrog on August 3, 2011
A Young Gorilla from the Agushya (Group 13) family of Mountain Gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. (Print, Stock or Editorial enquiries may be directed to image@mitchellkrog.com with image REF: RWS7921)
During a trip last year to Rwanda my wife and I spent several days trekking Mountain Gorilla’s in the Volcanoes National Park. On our second day we spent a precious hour with the Agushya family otherwise known as Group 13. This family was comprised of members of all ages including some very playful youngsters. I tell you one thing, you cannot believe how quickly one hour of your life passes when in the presence of these magnificent creatures and when you encounter a group with playful youngsters you don’t know where to point your camera first. Before you know it your guide is whispering to you that you have 5 minutes left and you think huh?
Photographing Gorilla’s is a challenge of its own because no flash photography is permitted whatsoever so you are entirely reliant on natural light conditions. In some parts of the forest it can be quite dark and unless you know the constraints of your camera and lens you’ll be coming home with many blurred images. I worked with two camera’s during my visits with the Gorillas and they both outshined themselves repeatedly. This image was captured of one of the youngsters sitting by himself while watching the others at play.
by mitchellkrog on August 2, 2011
Elephant Matriarch and Family - Amboseli, Kenya (Print, Stock or Editorial Enquiries may be directed to image@mitchellkrog.com with image REF: KEX5391)
Amboseli National Park is situated in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya and for the most part it is a flat barren piece of land covered mostly by grass. There are however a few small pockets of green vegetation near some swamp areas and this is where most animals seem to congregate. One of the main attractions of Amboseli is the often large groups of Elephants that traverse the land in search of water and food.
The park has only a few roads and off-road driving is most definitely not permitted which makes getting into position for photos extremely challenging. For the wildlife photographer that is willing to excercise some patience it can be a very rewarding place but for many it seems to only induce frustration.
On the morning I captured this image I headed out just before sunrise and immediately noticed a large bank of cloud that was sitting to the East blocking most of the sky and horizon where the sun would rise. Not being one to give up easily I travelled along one of the main roads where I felt I had a chance of catching some elephants coming out from the forested areas in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Just after the sun has risen I spotted this family, being led by the matriarch, emerging from the forest and heading directly towards my vehicle and they moved surprisingly fast. When they were just at the right distance I captured this image and there was just a touch of golden light that found its way through a few gaps in the clouds. The whole family were covered in red mud from an earlier mud bath and this helped bring a lot of warm tones to the image and for me it made my day.
by mitchellkrog on August 2, 2011
A White Rhino on the fringes of the Golden Fever Tree Forest in Lake Nakuru, Kenya in the early golden morning sunlight. (Print, Stock or Editorial Enquiries may be directed to image@mitchellkrog.com with image REF: KEX8802)
On a cool morning drive through Lake Nakuru last year there was not much happening as far as sightings of animals go. I decided this morning to concentrate on the fringes of the Golden Fever Tree Forest as a number of animals, especially Rhino, seek refuge there. Shortly after the sun had risen I spotted something lying inside the forest but was not entirely sure if it was just another branch from a tree of which I had already spotted hundreds. After a bit of closer inspection with the long lens I could clearly see a horn sticking out from undergrowth of the forest and it was only a few minutes before it started to move. This magnificent White Rhino arose to greet my lens and came slowly walking out of the forest towards my vehicle. I waited for a moment when he would be nicely positioned in a clearing and then grabbed this image. It’s sad to think that over 200 such creatures have been slaughtered on South African soil in only the last 6 months in what can only be termed an abomination of conservation and law. Let’s hope that photos of Rhino’s are not the only things we get to show our children one day.
