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Photography, South Africa

Cape Town Photo Tour

CAPE TOWN PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR, PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AND VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHY

I’m thrilled to announce that I will have the opportunity to share my love of Cape Town from October 20-27, 2019. It will be one part photography tour, one part photography workshop, and you will have an opportunity to give back with your photography as a volunteer photographer.

A Little Background

I’m the photographer and writer behind the wanderingiPhone.com travel and photography blog. I’ve been a professional photographer since 2003, and a photography educator and volunteer photographer since 2013. I am based in Toronto, Canada but make annual visits to Cape Town, where I started a women’s mobile photography program.

give back with photography, volunteer photographer program
This is a collage of the photos taken by the participants of the first year of The Heart of a Woman Project in South Africa. It was on display at the 1st-anniversary exhibition. Photo by Andrea Rees.

THE HEART OF A WOMAN PROJECT (THOAW)

I founded a women’s mobile photography initiative, The Heart of a Woman Project (THOAW) after a visit to eKhaya eKasi in Khayelitsha. In December 2012, while on a responsible tourism tour with Uthando South Africa I met Director Lulama Sihlabeni. After a conversation with Lulama about ways to attract visitors and generate funds, I came up with the mobile photography project idea.

In November 2013, THOAW partnered with eKhaya eKasi, a non-profit organization to implement a women’s mobile photography program.

THE IDEA

The idea was for women at eKhaya eKasi to learn photography to promote what they do through digital communications. They could take photos of their beadwork, other products and events and tell their stories in-house.

Noticing there weren’t photography products in the on-site art boutique, I thought of the idea of creating postcards of Township life. As eKhaya eKasi welcomes tourists, postcards could be sold on-site as a way to generate funds for the Centre.

THE MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

In November 2013, I led a photography workshop with nine women over 11 days. They were taught photography using previously owned iPhones that were donated. They also learned social media and basic computer skills, and we set up their social media accounts. They learned ‘how to google’ and we spent a few days photographing Khayelitsha. At the end of the 11-days, each participant received 200 postcards of their photo, to sell in the art boutique. Income generated by the postcards has helped the women to pay for school fees, clothes, transportation and food. Six months later, I returned to lead another photography workshop. We launched greeting cards and organized a photo walk in Khayelitsha with local photographers from Cape Town.

eKhaya eKasi uses the iPhones they’ve had since 2013 (and others I’ve brought through the years), to document what is happening at the Centre. I’m happy to report that in 2019, postcards sales remain a significant source of income for eKhaya eKasi.

I have returned to Cape Town and Khayelitsha many times (all of my trips have been self-funded) where I continued to teach and assist where I was needed. When I was not in Cape Town, I continued to mentor from my home in Toronto, Canada using digital technology. I’ve learned so much by being immersed, more than I ever could have as a tourist only.

women's mobile photography community project and non-profit photography workshop
Yolanda Nkatula and Aviwe Dalingozi photograph the mural on a shipping container, home to Mama Blessing Hair Salon in Khayelitsha. Photo by Andrea Rees
women's empowerment through digital literacy in khayelitsha,
Esther takes her turn with the project’s laptop with her peers encouraging her and assisting. Photo by Andrea Rees.

THOAW GOALS

When thinking of long-term goals for the project in South Africa (and future projects), it was always a hope that I could bring people with me.  It would allow the visitors an opportunity to support local tourism, small businesses, and support eKhaya eKasi directly. They would be able to experience the country and the culture in a meaningful way. That would, in turn, bring more awareness to Khayelitsha as people returned to their country and shared stories from their trip.

BEAUTIFUL KHAYELITSHA AND ITS PEOPLE

There are many positive things taking place in Khayelitsha, from tourism initiatives to community projects. With high rates of unemployment, entrepreneurship is the catalyst for survival. Local women and men work tirelessly to uplift their communities. Centres like eKhaya eKasi provide opportunities for residents to learn skills and entrepreneurship. The hand-up model is sustainable, and the possibilities are endless.

The cross-cultural exchange happens more effortlessly when you immerse yourself in a place for a longer time; being a volunteer photographer can provide that opportunity.

photo tour and photography workshop in cape town october 2019
The view from Signal Hill of Table Mountain and Lions Head. Photo by Andrea Rees

CAPE TOWN PHOTO TOUR, VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHY & PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

I’ve partnered with Penda Photo Tours who are known for their incredible photo tours around the world including places like Uganda, Madagascar, Iceland, Alaska, Cuba and more.

The tour will highlight the beautiful landscapes, vibrant cultures, incredible wildlife, non-profit organizations and responsible tourism 

A UNIQUE PHOTO TOUR EXPERIENCE

In Cape Town, you will explore tourism in Khayelitsha and support a local tourism organization. You will work with small, locally-run community projects and non-profit organizations in two ways. Firstly, you will help run mobile photography workshops for women with The Heart of a Woman Project. We will partner with a community project or non-profit organization wanting to learn photography as a way to promote what they do. They will use photography to photograph their products and events and tell their stories using social media and the Internet. Secondly, you will have the chance to be a volunteer photographer and photograph a non-profit organization. You will retain all copyright to your images but will donate licensing to the photos to help them with their fundraising and digital communications efforts.

CAPE TOWN, ON AND OFF THE TOURIST TRAIL

In addition to volunteer photography on this photo tour, we’ll explore the many highlights that Cape Town is known for. Places like Table Mountain, the penguins, sunset on Signal Hill, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Peninsula and much more will be on our 7-day Cape Town itinerary. We will visit some of my favourite places not typically found on the tourist trail, and there will be ample photo opportunities. I will take you to the beautiful scenic spots and provide one on one instruction along the way in travel photography, landscape, portrait or non-profit photography. This photo tour offers an immersive experience and an opportunity to travel with purpose as we learn about and work with the incredible community projects in Khayelitsha.

LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY?

ALL photography levels and cameras welcome. Whether you love to take photos with your smartphone or enjoy creating images with your mirrorless or DSLR camera, you’re welcome to join us. Much of what I teach will apply to any camera as it is about the art of seeing and storytelling. 

For your non-photography companions, there will be plenty to see and do, and they will have photographic opportunities should they wish to join in.

mobile photography workshop and cape town photo tour
Dusk at St. James Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Andrea Rees

ADDITIONAL READING:

From Penda Photo Tours:
From Penda Trust
From The heART of a Woman Project:
From wanderingiPhone:

Visit wanderingiPhone Instagram and Instagram stories account and check out the ‘highlight’s’ on my Instagram profile from my recent visit to Cape Town. I also share content at @AndreaReesPhoto on Instagram

travel photography, accessories, Africa, Destinations, Family Travel, iphone photography, mobile photography, nature, Photography, photography tips, safari, South Africa, Tips, Travel, travel tips, wildlife

Photographing Your Safari with a Smartphone

What if the only camera you own is an iPhone, Samsung of Google Pixel smartphone and you want to take safari photos? You might not see a smartphone on the best camera for wildlife photography lists, but does that mean you can’t capture great wildlife photography? Does it mean you should not go on a photo safari? Absolutely not.

With these smartphone photography tips, I’ll show you how it’s possible to photograph a safari with a smartphone. You’ll come home from your African safari trip with images you love, are proud to share and want to print.

BEST CAMERA FOR SAFARI?

An elephant on safari with Toro Yaka Safari Lodge. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

You might be thinking that great safari photography can only be achieved with bulky and heavy dedicated cameras, long lenses, f-stop this and aperture that.

I’m here to say that the best camera for your safari is the one that is with you. Please don’t miss out on one of the most incredible experiences because you don’t have what some might consider a safari camera or wildlife photography camera or worse, don’t know how to use it.

 

Photographing my first South African safari

On safari with Naledi Game Lodge in South Africa. Shot on iPhone 4s.

The first time I went on a safari in 2012, I photographed the wildlife, nature, and landscapes of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa with an iPhone 4s. True story.

As a professional portrait photographer that worked mostly in the studio back then, I didn’t have a telephoto lens for my Nikon cameras, and I didn’t want to invest thousands of dollars for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as I wasn’t a professional wildlife photographer. The photos were only for my memories. Some of those photos are featured in this article.

Although I travel with an Olympus OM-D e-m1 mark III mirrorless camera and 40-150 mm M.Zuiko 2.8 pro lens with a teleconverter on safari these days, I always, always take photos with my iPhone too. Some of my most cherished wildlife photos have been taken with my smartphone.

Tips to photograph the wildlife, landscapes, and nature with the phone in your pocket, your smartphone.

On safari with Tours de Mornay in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 11 Pro Max.

ON THIS PAGE I DISCUSS: (click on the link below to jump to the topic)

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS

First, let’s start with some things to think about before you take the shot.

  • Make sure the lens on the smartphone is clean. Consider carrying a small lens cleaning cloth.
  • Tap your finger on the screen where you want to focus to activate the yellow square for focus and exposure (iPhone). The yellow sun icon will appear, drag up and down to adjust. For Android, tap the yellow sun icon and use the slider to change. ProTip: Purchase the ProCamera app as it will allow you to separate the focus and exposure. Tap the blue square for focus and the yellow circle for exposure.
  • The shutter trips after you lift your finger off (white circle button on the iPhone).
  • Keep steady. For sharper photos, slightly tuck in your elbows or lean against something.
  • Keep level and watch your horizon.
  • Photograph horizontally for a wider scene, photograph vertically for tall buildings, trees and close portraits (headshots). These rules can be broken.
  • If possible, use your feet to get closer. Zoom if you have a dual-lens (2x or 3x on iPhone) smartphone or an add-on telephoto lens for your iPhone or Android phone (see below).

ProTip: Use the + (up) volume button on your iPhone (some Android phones) to trigger the shutter.

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPHY ON SAFARI WITH A SMARTPHONE?

Go beyond the animal mug shot: Capture the Details

Remember to capture your unique, safari story. The safari lodge you choose for your South Africa safari holiday might be one of the most luxurious accommodations you’ve ever stayed at. It certainly has been the case for me.

Photograph your room and the view, the environment and all the luxurious details – the bed, the decor, the grounds, and the surrounding area.

Photograph beyond the animal mug shot, show wildlife in their habitat and surroundings. This is something that should you do whether you use an iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fuji or Olympus camera for your wildlife photography. Focus on telling the animal’s story.

Capture the sunrises and sunsets, the landscapes, trees, flowers, insects, and silhouettes.

The natural beauty of South Africa is some of the best I’ve experienced anywhere. The Kruger National Park has one of the most diverse wildlife, landscapes, and fauna. It truly is a special park and is one of my favourite places in the entire world. For many, a safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and every detail deserves to be captured.

SAFARI PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS AND THE BEST COMPOSITIONS

  • FRAMING

Use literal, structural, architectural or environmental elements to bring focus to your subject.

When on safari with your smartphone, think of trees, the landscape, the sky,  and other animals to frame your main subject. Use the side view mirrors if you are self-driving in Kruger National Park or any other self-drive national park.

iPhone wildlife photography, an elephant in South Africa. Shot on iPhone 6s by Andrea Rees.
African elephant framed by the trees in Greater Kruger National Park, shot on iPhone 6s.
photographing animals in their surroundings on safari, shot on iPhone 5s
The buffalo that surround the buffalo in the foreground help to “frame” the closest buffalo. The tree and grass also frame it. Shot on iPhone 5s.
  • LEADING LINES

Leading lines help to guide a viewer through a photograph. They can also direct the viewer to the subject or focal point of the image. They can be straight, diagonal, curved or suggested lines.

iPhone photography, Shot on iPhone 5s by Andrea Rees in Addo Elephant Park
The line of the road leads to the tree. Shot on iPhone 5s.
  • RULE OF THIRDS

The rule of thirds is used to produce a balanced image. Imagine dividing this photo into 3 lines across and 3 lines down. The idea is to place the essential elements along the gridlines or at the intersections where the lines meet.

Make sure you have your grid activated on your smartphone to help you see it.

The rule of thirds works well with the idea of leaving space for the subject to look to or move into. Place the horizon along the top or bottom 1/3 for a strong compositional mobile photo.

Wild Dog on the hunt in Kruger National Park. Family travel in South Africa. Photographed with an iPod by my son DRH.
Wild Dog on the hunt in Kruger Park was shot on iPod by my oldest son, DRH. The wild dog is along the bottom 1/3 of the photo with space to move into. If you cannot achieve the rule of thirds when photographing, think about how you could do it when you crop.
Safari photos, composition in smartphone photography, shot on iPhone 4s by Andrea Rees.
Considering using multiple compositional elements in a single photo for a stronger image. The horizon is along the top 1/3 of the photo (rule of thirds). The road leads to the mountains (leading lines). The vehicle and trees frame the tracker (sitting at the front, framing). Shot on iPhone 4s.

FIND THE LIGHT

Light is an essential part of photography and is often overlooked. Light can make or break an image. It can also help tell a story. Use light to create the mood and feel of your image. Pay attention to the sun and where it is in the sky. The light within an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset is when the sun is lower in the sky and creates a beautifully soft and warm light for photography.

Natural light is fleeting and ever-changing so don’t hesitate to take that shot.

The harsh, shadow-creating light of midday can create some interesting effects. Don’t be afraid of it.

iPhone nature photography, shot on iPhone 7 plus in Kruger National Park. Mobile photography workshops in Toronto or on location.
Sunrise in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 7+

SILHOUETTES

Silhouettes are a great way to capture images when the light has faded or to create anonymity in a photo. Take advantage of the opportunity to create a silhouette image. Look for animals or trees/dead trees with the light behind them. Shoot towards the sun. You may have to get lower and point upwards to separate the subject from the horizon.

iPhone wildlife photography, shot on iPhone 6 plus in Kruger National Park, South Africa by Andrea Rees.
A giraffe silhouette in Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 6+.
iPhone travel photography, sundowners in silhouette in the Greater Kruger Park. Shot on iPhone 6 plus by Andrea Rees.
Sundowners in the Greater Kruger on safari with Elephant Plains. Shot on iPhone 6s.

 

WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE?

Unless an animal is nearby, it’s difficult to capture the details with a smartphone. Tell the whole story and include the animal’s environment. Try a different angle, don’t be afraid to experiment. Look in the side-view mirror and capture what’s behind you. Capture the wildlife, road, trees, and mountains using the side view mirror.

iPhone wildlife photography, mobile photography workshops. Shot on iPhone 7 plus by Andrea Rees.
Zebra in Kruger National Park shot on iPhone 7+.
iPhone travel photography, mobile travel photography workshops. Shot on iPhone 7 plus by Andrea Rees.
Giraffe in the side view mirror, Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone 7+.

 

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS: DETAILS

Capture the details of nature and your surroundings.

iPhone macro photography, shot on iPhone 6 plus by Andrea Rees. iPhone nature photography
Preying Mantis in macro. Shot on iPhone 6 + Olloclip 21x macro in Kruger.
iPhone bird photography, starling bird in Kruger national park on iPhone 6s by Andrea Rees.
A Burchells Starling at Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger. Shot on iPhone 6s.
Breakfast at a hide on safari with Naledi Lodges in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 6plus.
My room at Naledi Lodges in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 4s.
South african photo safari with your smartphone, shot on iPhone 5s by Andrea Rees. African safari with family.
My oldest son on safari with Naledi Lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 5s.
My youngest son at the infinity pool at Naledi Lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 5s.

 

GO WIDE AND SHOOT A PANORAMA WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

Check to see if your smartphone has a panorama option. You’ll find it in the native camera app on the iPhone. Hold steady and keep the arrow on the line. Tip: Tap the photo square to change directions.

Capture the view with a panorama. Taken at the luxurious Naledi Bushcamp lodge in Balule Nature Reserve. Shot on iPhone 6+.
iphone panorama photography. Shot on iPhone 6.
A panoramic view from a Naledi Lodges hide. Shot on iPhone 6

 

CAPTURE VIDEO WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE

Things to Consider:  

  • Put your phone in airplane mode when recording
  • Lock the exposure to avoid a change in brightness
  • Use a gimbal or mini tripod for stabilization.
  • Timelapses are a great way to show a busy environment – clouds, sunset/sunrises
  • Film close and wide shots, telling details, different angles
  • Film in motion (pan up/down, left/right) to move the story along
  • Film more video than you need, and cut (split) when editing.
  • Keep scenes to 2-5 seconds depending on how fast you want to cut to the next scene.

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WILD AFRICAN ELEPHANT PHOTOGRAPHED ON IPHONE

An elephant encounter in Greater Kruger National Park. Shot on iPhone by Andrea Rees.

Sometimes the animals come to you, and you have to capture the moment with your iPhone. This elephant was too close to photograph it with my Olympus OM-D E-M1 mirrorless camera and M. Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens (the full-frame equivalent of 80-300mm).

For the full elephant encounter story and video, visit here.

Read: Tips for Family Travel to South Africa

Disclosure:  This article may contain affiliate links for Moment products. It means that if you click on a link to purchase a product I recommend I earn a small commission. It is no additional cost to you. For more information,  read my full disclosure and privacy page. If you have any questions about the Moment lenses or cases, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ACCESSORIES

Did you know that you can get a telephoto lens for iPhone or Android phones?

In 2012, I had a telephoto lens for my iPhone 4s, and it looked ridiculous, but aesthetics do not matter if it does the job, right? I took it on safari with me and I did capture a few images with it. Unfortunately, the photos weren’t of good quality. The lens didn’t fit well so there was a lot of vignetting. I didn’t recommend that lens to anyone and never used it again.

I had the macro and wide-angle Olloclip lenses when I had the iPhone 4s and iPhone 6. Their lenses are okay, but not as good as I hoped they would be. The 2 things that bothered me about the Olloclip system are 1. I had to remove my case and 2. if I upgraded my iPhone, I had to buy new lenses.

I had been keeping an eye on a few different smartphone lens companies for a few years, and in 2017, I decided to invest in Moment lenses. I didn’t invest in the Moment system until I heard that they offered cases that the lenses could be attached to (around the time I had an iPhone 6s). I never use my iPhone without a case on it.

MOMENT ADD-ON LENSES AND CASES

There is no loss of quality with Moment lenses and the wide lens (1x). The best part is that if you upgrade your smartphone, you only have to purchase a new compatible case and not a new set of lenses like you have to with Olloclip lenses. The lenses rotate into the case and fit perfectly. With Olloclip or other clip-on lenses, you have to line it up and hope it stays. Moment cases are available for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Note, Google Pixel and One Plus smartphones too.

Moment add-on lenses for iPhone

photographing with a moment lens
Shot on iPhone XSmax at 1x, 2x (dual lens) and 4x with a Moment telephoto lens.

Click on the text below for more info on Moment Phone lenses and cases.

Moment Cases for add-on lenses

THE BEST ACCESSORIES FOR SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY AND SMARTPHONE VIDEO

I personally use these products listed below.

READ: Seeing the Light: Tips for Mobile Photography Portraits

St James Beach Cape Town
Dusk at St. James Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

I’ve been a professional photographer since 2003 and a mobile photography educator since 2013. I offer live virtual smartphone photography workshops on Zoom and in-person workshops in Toronto, Canada.

Take Your Smartphone Photography to the Next Level and create photographs of your travels, landscapes, nature, wildlife, and people with your smartphone.

I offer a public and private group 60-minute virtual workshop through Airbnb Online Experiences or for a private series of workshops (2 or 3 workshops), check here.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

AIRBNB ANIMAL EXPERIENCES

If you’re in Toronto or visiting the area and are into nature, birding and wildlife photography, I offer a birding/nature walk + photography lesson through Airbnb experiences Toronto.

I hope these tips will help you create cherished photos of your safari. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SUBSCRIBE to wanderingiPhone.com for staying in the loop – exclusive opportunities, photo tours, workshops, webinars, and subscriber discounts on mobile photography workshops, consulting and more.

Photographing your safari with a smartphone. Safari photos with moment lens | wanderingiphone.com
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Australia, British Columbia, Canada, Destinations, Family Travel, Israel, Japan, mobile photography, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Solo Travel, South Africa, Tennessee, travel photography, USA

Family and Solo Travel Adventures of 2017

As we step into 2018, I’d like to take this time to thank you for following along and for your comments and questions on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and email. I hope that I’ve helped to answer all your mobile photography, camera and tech gear, and travel related questions.

I had some incredible family and solo travel adventures in 2017! I explored 2 new countries – Israel and Japan, returned to British Columbia, The Florida Keys twice, South Africa and Australia and visited new places at home in Ontario like Tobermory and Manitoulin Island, and we also saw the solar eclipse in totality on a spontaneous road trip to Kentucky and Tennessee.

We also returned to our favourite close-to-home destination, Niagara Falls. We spent time on both sides of the border. While my boys love playing the redemption games, we also enjoyed walking through Dufferin Island on the Canadian side in the Spring as well as chasing cherry blossoms, found some! In the summer, we ventured to the American side and visited Goat Island. It is a great place to visit as it gives you close-up views of both the American and Canadian Falls.

It was very much a year of incredible snorkelling adventures in the barrier reefs of the Florida Keys and Australia as well as the Red Sea in Eilat, Israel. My 7yo snorkelled for his first time, in Eilat and loved it. We ended our travel year with a trip to The Florida Keys where he embarked on his first open water snorkel trip. We went on 2 snorkel trips from Key Largo and one in the backwaters of Key West. Our favourite experience was our snorkel trip at Molasses Reef where we encountered sea turtles, Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks. He was over the moon with excitement and can’t wait to snorkel again. You can read more in my guide to snorkelling the Florida Keys here.

To recap and close out 2017, here are some of my favourite Instagram and mobile camera photos that were all shot on my iPhone 7+. In 2018, I look forward to continuing to inspire your family travels, solo trips and photography and show you more beautiful, nature and culture-rich destinations.

JANUARY

bahia honda tide
Moving tides at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. A trip I did with my niece.

FEBRUARY

St James Beach Cape Town
Dusk at St. James Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. A solo trip to South Africa for The Heart of a Woman Project.

Penguins at Boulders Beach
Penguins at Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, Playing with portrait mode on the iPhone 7 plus.

MARCH

zebra in Kruger
A Zebra in Kruger National Park, South Africa. A self-drive trip I did with my South African travel writer & travel blogger friend Anje Rautenbach of Going Somewhere Slowly in March 2017. Check out her video here.

tea at mahane yehuda jerusalem
Tea at the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. A family trip with my husband, 2 sons and father in March 2017, I travelled there after my trip to Kruger Park.

My oldest son and the Eilat Mountains in Southern Israel. We could see the Sinai Desert when we climbed a bit off the dusty road.

old town warsaw
Old Town Warsaw, Poland. A layover on my home way home from Israel.

APRIL

cherry blossoms canada
Found cherry blossoms in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Maid on the Mist in Niagara Falls. A family day trip from Toronto.

MAY

cherry blossoms Kariya Park Mississauga
On the hunt for more cherry blossoms. Found these at Kariya Park in Mississauga.

JUNE

Enchanted Forest
My son at The Enchanted Forest in British Columbia. A family trip to BC with my youngest son, father, aunt, and uncle to see relatives.

JULY

Beautiful art on the arena in Wikwemikong, the unceded territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. A trip with my best friend who was visiting Ontario from British Columbia with her family.

Balm Beach Ontario
Sunset in Balm Beach. Some of the most spectacular sunsets in Ontario happen right here, on Georgian Bay, traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg people. Balm Beach is our fave family beach in Ontario. A trip with my family and my best friend and her family who were visiting Ontario from British Columbia.

Tobermory Ontario
My oldest son on the rocks near the Big Tub Lighthouse in Tobermory, Ontario. My sons and I went on a spontaneous 2-night trip on the shores of Lake Huron chasing Aurora. We didn’t find her but found Tobermory.

Bruce Country Ontario
My oldest son in the canola fields of Bruce County, Ontario. This is part of the same trip with my 2 sons.

AUGUST

Manitou River Manitoulin Island
A peaceful spot by the Manitou River near Michael’s Bay on Manitoulin Island. A trip with my 2 sons and father to take in the annual Perseids meteor shower.

Sunflowers in Caledon, Ontario. Random Sunday drives with my husband and 2 sons.

clarksville tennessee for the solar eclipse
A spontaneous road trip to the USA where we experienced our first solar eclipse in totality. We found this spot in Clarksville, Tennessee by the Red River. This was
the light about 30 minutes before totality. The birds flocked, and the cicadas sang. It went to darkness and planets you don’t normally see, were seen. Hard to describe the feeling but we were in awe.

SEPTEMBER

Lakeside Park Oakville
Revisiting one of our favourite family parks in the Greater Toronto area, Lakeside Park in Oakville. September was all about back to school and TIFF. At the end of the month, I returned to Vancouver to visit my best friend before my trip to Australia and Japan.

OCTOBER

Heron Island Queensland Australia
Reef walking at low tide in the Great Barrier Reef off Heron Island in Queensland, Australia. Heron Island is a Coral Cay with the reef as your playground. I saw sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, many species of fish and sea cucumbers. I even found Nemo’s cousin. It was a return to Australia but this time as a solo traveller and my first time exploring Queensland and the GBR.

koala on the great ocean road
Rainforest views on Grey River Road in Kennet River. This was my favourite stop on the Great Ocean Road. Can you find the sleepy koala?

The 8 remaining limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. This is probably the most popular stop on the GOR drive and worth seeing in person.

The 5-story Yasaka Pagoda in Kyoto, Japan is surrounded by quaint narrow streets lined with cafes, restaurants and a variety of shops. Loved wandering through here after most people had left the area.

NOVEMBER

palm tree bahia honda state park
A broken but not battered palm tree at Bahia Honda State Park after Hurricane Irma blew through. A trip to the Florida Keys with my oldest niece and 2 sons.

sombrero beach views in Marathon Florida
My boys enjoying a sunset swim at Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Florida Keys.

So not a winter person but I can appreciate the beauty of snow especially with a setting sun. No travels in December.

VIDEOS

Wishing you many photographic opportunities and travels that fulfil your soul in 2018.

Rural Senegal in 9 Squares

 

Senegal
The bottom row of 3 photos is my home in the Baobab tree and view from the room.

 

It was early morning and still dark when I stepped off an overnight flight from Washington, DC onto the tarmac of the small Dakar airport. The airplane had stopped for an hour to refuel and drop off and pick up passengers before continuing to Johannesburg, South Africa. I disembarked to visit a friend and her family for the next six days, and though I was tired, I couldn’t wait to explore Senegal.

A few hours after arriving we were on our way to Palmarin and the Sine Saloum Delta in rural Senegal. A well-paved highway takes you out of the city and further onto a two-way road through towns and villages. As the sight of Dakar faded in the distance, I looked
ahead to the open road and couldn’t believe I was in Africa.

Scenes of meat and fruit stands by the roadside, unfinished buildings and crumbling sidewalks, women in colorful attire, roaming goats, salt flats and baobab trees, donkey carts and horse carts and women carrying water or pounding maize played out in front of me.

After Joal, we found ourselves on the worst road I’ve ever traveled. I thought we were going to lose a tire to the large potholes that filled the road. As we came out on the other side of that bumpy red earthy road with tires intact, I smiled.

I was on an adventure of a lifetime and on my way to spend my first night ever on the continent of Africa in a majestic Baobab tree at Collines de Niassam Lodge.

Africa, Destinations, safari, Solo Travel, South Africa, Stories, travel photography, wildlife

My close encounter with an elephant in South Africa

Arriving back at Naledi Game Lodge in South Africa for my third time, I had only one wish — to be surrounded by elephants and have an memorable and of course ethical elephant encounter. I was yearning to have more time with my favourite animal, observing it in its natural habitat.

I had already gone on the morning game drive and decided to spend 3 hours at a hide. I was finishing breakfast when I noticed an elephant on the television screen mounted on the wall. I soon realized that it was the webcam feed from the hide I was planning to visit.

The bull elephant was still at the waterhole when we arrived. After an okay from Sipho, a tracker at Naledi, I quickly moved from the game drive vehicle, up the stairs to the hide. The elephant was on the other side of the hide, off-camera.

All of a sudden, he emitted a rumbling sound. Sipho explained that he was communicating. Sure enough, three more male elephants came by for a drink. One by one they arrived at the waterhole and went to the far side of the waterhole.

Then an elephant that Sipho called “Flopsy” (because of his floppy right ear) was the last of the five elephants to appear. He passed by in front of the hide and nodded his head as if to say hello and joined the others for a drink. They hung around for about 45 minutes. I couldn’t believe all the time I had with them, alone, as Sipho had left just after Flopsy arrived.

The next day while on a game drive, Mike (guide) heard breaking branches and followed the sound into the bush. We came upon 12-13 male elephants. I immediately thought some of the elephants were from the day before.

While we were watching the elephants in front of us, we suddenly heard branches breaking behind us. After a few minutes, an elephant came out from behind the tree and continued to eat nearby. It was Flopsy.

He was so close to the vehicle that I switched to my iPhone to get a few shots and record video. I giggled because I couldn’t believe how close he was and that I had to use my iPhone.

The Hide at Naledi Game Lodge.
Sipho, a tracker at Naledi Game Lodge, South Africa after dropping me off at the hide.
The bull elephant that rumbled
The bull elephant that was at the hide when I arrived
The three elephants that arrived after the bull elephant made a rumbling sound.
2EleNaledi2015web
3 African elephants at a waterhole
Three wild African elephants at a waterhole, including “Flopsy”. My view from the hide above the waterhole.
elephants in South Africa

My guide Mike taking a photo of the elephants with his smartphone

Then, this happened.

I was alone in the back of the game drive vehicle that day, and our vehicle had the sighting to ourselves. The only way to describe this 2-day experience is, magical.

I have always believed that elephants were magical. Now I know it’s true. Thanks to the expert guiding of Mike and the fantastic tracking of Sipho, this experience will long live in my heart. I was calm and felt safe.

More –

elephant walking down the road
We left the elephant sighting and found that one of the males had gone for a walk. Another Naledi Game Lodge vehicle is pictured.
  • Naledi Game Lodges – a luxury, family-friendly and relatively affordable lodge in the Greater Kruger area.
  • Africam – web cameras that stream 24 hours a day, three are located at Naledi Game Lodge.
  • Safari Live – For live streaming game drives from South Africa, check out Wild Earth’s Safari Live. It’s as if you’re in the back of the vehicle on a 3-hour drive, searching for wildlife. The drives are twice a day.
  • If you love elephants don’t ever ride them, ride in a game drive vehicle instead. Read this –  https://www.thedodo.com/elephant-rides-trek-1132645600.html

For ethical elephant encounters in Thailand, visit Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Africa, Destinations, mirrorless, nature, Photography, safari, South Africa, travel photography, wildlife

Animal mothers and a 1 hour old giraffe

This Mother’s Day I’m honouring animal mothers and their babies. This series of animals were photographed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Kruger National Park and the greater Kruger area in South Africa.

Mother's Day, Mom and baby baboon
One of my favourite animal mothers to watch is baboons.

 

mothers day elephant mom and baby
This little one couldn’t have been more than a month old. I first found it napping with mom standing over it.

 

mother's day newborn giraffe and mom
Mama giraffe cleans her newborn. This giraffe was about an hour old. When we arrived at the sighting, we found it surrounded by eight hyenas. Mom stood on guard until the baby giraffe stood up. Happy to report that hyena did not attack. See video below.

 

mothers day black rhino and baby
Mom and baby black rhino

 

mothers day lioness and 3 cubs
These cubs are part of a pride of 9 lions and were about three months old in this photo. This kill was one of their first meat based meals.

 

mother's day baby zebra
This baby giraffe just finished suckling from its mom.

 

mothers day mom baboon carrying its baby
Watched this pair of baboons for a while as they walked through an open area with their troop. The baby would hitch a ride then climb down to suckle and return to its spot on mom’s back.

 

 

Bonus: 

fathers day lion and cub
With Father’s Day around the corner, I couldn’t resist this one of this lion cub and his father. This cub is one of the cubs from the photo above of the lioness and her three cubs. In this image; he’s about nine months old.