Horizon of Stars Book

Horizon of Stars, a Photographic Safari Journal

New Book by Wayne Scherr 

Horizon of Stars is a photographic journal with text depicting a wildlife safari to Eastern Africa and the country of Tanzania. The adventurous journey covers Serengeti, Tarangeri, Manyara, Arusha and Ngorongoro National Parks. Wildlife encounters and photographic illustrations include tree climbing lions, charging elephants and screaming baboons.

Photojournalist and Fine Art Photographer Wayne Scherr documented this savanna sojourn while preparing a marketing plan for a safari outfitter that operated out of Arusha, Tanzania.

80 pages (106 color photographs)

Standard Landscape 10×8 inches (25×20 cm) with soft cover ($39.95)

To preview and purchase your copy: Horizon of Stars http://www.blurb.com/books/1924512

 

 

 

Lion in Ngorongoro crater, Tanzania

 

Web site: http://www.rangeofvisionphotos.com

Blog: www.myphotovisions.wordpress.com

Contact: wayne@rangeofvisionphotos.com

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How to Prepare for an African Safari – Part 3

In preparing for a photographic wildlife safari in Eastern Africa there are several things to consider when organizing and packing your gear. First it is very important that your clothing should be in neutral colors. Light brown and khaki are the most popular followed by dark green.

When viewing wildlife you do not want to attract an animal’s attention with your bright red or yellow shirts. Blending in is the way to go. You want to view and photograph animals in their natural environment doing their own thing, not paying attention to your movements.

Out of the Bush

The same goes for waving your arms or calling out to wildlife to get them to look at you for a portrait. Respect for wildlife should be your number one goal before capturing an image.  You are not in a zoo environment and every animal needs all their strength and energies just to survive.

So you want to dress comfortably in non restrictive, lightweight clothing. You need protection from the sun during the day and from mosquitoes especially at night. Most safari guides request that you do not wear any type of military clothing.

Some in town restaurants do require more formal clothes however I found that casual was the mainstay wherever I went.  When I attended several business meetings in Arusha safari casual was still very acceptable. I guess they expected me to be coming in from the bush.

Khaki shorts and lightweight hiking boots or sneakers are popular everywhere.  Tee shirts and a long sleeved shirt are quite acceptable just watch the colors you take.  A light weight jacket or rain coat is necessary. Weather changes and evenings can get chilly especially at elevation.

Bull Elephant Tarangeri National Park

Many of the main safari lodges have swimming pools so a bathing suit is a good idea. For me I spent all my daylight hours being jostled around on dirt roads seeking and observing wildlife never making it poolside. It just depends on your preferences.

Socks, undies a belt and a sun hat make up the jest of required clothing. Packing light makes travel easier and with modern synthetic materials you can always wash your things out in your room at night.

Small bottles of sunscreen, shampoo, lotions and repellents will cut down on space and weight. A small flashlight, sunglasses, binoculars, batteries, shaving kit and eyeglass cleaners should find their way into your duffle.

Keep your medications and travel papers in your carryon bag along with your camera equipment and laptop if you take one.

Wildebeest on the Sarengeti

Luggage choice is another important item to consider. Most safari operators have restrictions on hard sided luggage. Keep you gear down to one duffle styled pack plus your personal carryon bag. Major international airlines and especially the smaller charter carriers have restrictions and it is important to check with them before you leave home.

Photography Equipment:

First remember that for most people on safari it is a once in a life time experience of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat along with unique cultures and exotic environments. You want to make sure you have enough film or compact flash cards. Both are hard to find and are very expensive on location. Extra batteries and a charger with the proper converter are also essential.

If you can afford it take two camera bodies and a minimum of a 300mm, 70mm to 210mm zoom and a wide angle complement of lenses. Changing lenses in a dusty environment or when an animal sets the action takes precious seconds. You always need to be ready for the unexpected.

Maasai Men in red sukas - Kisura

Tripods are next to impossible to use from a Land Rover so a bean bag is recommended for camera stability.  Hang onto all your gear you don’t want to get out of your vehicle with a pride of lions outside your door to pick up a filter or lens brush.

Clean and check your equipment each night. Dust gets into everything. I kept everything in plastic zip bags.  I noticed other photographers on the road had their entire camera bag in a trash bag because of the dust potential. They also help with protection from rain and condensation from air conditioned rooms.

If you decide to purchase new equipment before you go get it a few weeks beforehand and study the manuals and use the gear so that you are familiar with it and won’t fumble when an elephant rushes at your vehicle. A little practice will make a big difference.

So this covers the basics of safari preparation. Always inquire about other specifics from your safari operator when you book your adventure. Be adaptable and patient, two main travel essentials.

Related posts:

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/how -to-prepare-for-an-african-safari-part-2/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/how-to-prepare-for-an-african-safari/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/flamingos-baboons-and-a-bull-elephant/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/safari-notes-part-one/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/safari-notes-part-two/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/safari-road/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/horizon-of-stars/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2010/02/13/kopjes-rock-islands-for-lions/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/tree-climbing-lions 

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/tracking-lions 

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/elephant-brothers 

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/altered-images/

http://myphotovisions.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/zebras-and-wild-horses/

Photographs used in this post are copyrighted by Wayne Scherr, Range of Vision Photography, 2010, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited without the written permission of Wayne Scherr, Range of Vision Photography. My image catalog can be viewed at http://www.rangeofvisionphotos.com. You can contact me through this blog or through email at: wayne@rangeofvisionphotos.com

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Safari Road

Ngorongoro

 

It was early May when I found myself in a Land Rover driving down into Ngorongoro Caldera, part of the Crater Highlands Conservation Area of Tanzania in East Africa.

The ascending and descending road called Lemala from the crater rim is one of only two ways to access this World Heritage Site.

This “Long Road” carved into the damp red volcanic dirt was in stark contrast to the bright green Acacia trees that lined the steep and winding way into the largest intact caldera in the world.

Safari Road - Ngorongoro

It was the end of the wet season.  Everything was vibrant and intense with color. With more than 30,000 animals populating this Garden of Eden it has become the most, dense game area on earth, a mini Serengeti.

Skies were overcast but as we descended the heavens opened and bright light raced across the savanna below. Wildlife was everywhere. Even from a distance we could see elephants, wildebeest, Impala and at the far end of the crater a glow of thousands of pink flamingoes clustered along the alkaline flats of Lake Magadi.

Once the road bottomed out at the crater floor we drove along the shallow Munge River. Rounding one of the rolling hills near some old farm ruins, there he was. Sitting tall in the wind blown grass was a young lion, majestic and regal.

I couldn’t believe it. I was in Africa, surrounded by the wild. It was the first of twenty–five lions I photographed that day. But this one less than 30 feet away like a guard or a keeper of the gate and starring at me like a house cat. I spoke softly to him as I photographed. He came closer. I was awed.

Slowly onto the road he came, closer. I finished a roll of film and quickly began to change it. Looking up I couldn’t see him. Leaning over the open top of the Rover I looked down. I could have reached out to pet him.

Lion King

With a low grunt he dropped to the ground and laid half under the vehicle, wedged against the front wheel as if to block us from proceeding further. For several minutes we sat there in silence watching each other, each giving witness to the encounter. My heart was thumping.

Suddenly from around the backside of the Rover three female lions sauntered silently to within a few feet of me. They came calling on the male who stood,  stretched and yawned like he was bored and without even looking at the females he lead then back into the tall grasses and over a small rise, out of sight.

Looking at my driver he saw that we had communicated, this large cat and I. He just smiled and we moved on.

All images used in this post are copyrighted by Wayne Scherr, Range of Vision Photography, 2009, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited without the written permission of Wayne Scherr, Range of Vision Photography. Contact: wayne@rangeofvisionphotos.com

 

 

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