Camelthorn Trees
Deadvlei, Namibia
Deadvlei is a clay pan in the Sossusvlei region. It is characterized by dark, dead camelthorn trees uniquely contrasted against the white clay pan floor. The pan was formed when the Tsauchab River flooded and the flood waters allowed these camelthorn trees to grow. But as the desert climate changed, the sand dunes encroached on the pan and blocked the river from providing much needed moisture to the area. This change eventually killed the trees. The trees are estimated to be approximately 900 years old, they have dried but did not decompose due to the lack of humidity.
Deadvlei is a paradise for photographers. Getting to the pan from the parking lot requires a hike of about 3/4 of a mile over dunes and clay flats. It is hot and dry so be sure to carry plenty of water.
Vachellia erioloba, the camel thorn, giraffe thorn, or Kameeldoring in Afrikaans, still more commonly known as Acacia erioloba, is a tree of southern Africa in the family Fabaceae. Its preferred habitat is the deep dry sandy soils in parts of South Africa, Botswana, the western areas of Zimbabwe and Namibia. Wikipedia
Pale Chanting Goshawk
Taking off - ready to hunt for a meal.
The Pale Chanting Goshawk will hunt and kill a wide variety of prey including mammals, lizards, birds, insects, and even carrion. This specimen was photographed in Etosha very close to the famous Etosha Pan.
Here is looking at you........
One member of the pride that showed up at the Chudob waterhole near Namutoni, Etosha, Namibia
Gemsbok and calf at sunset
A Gemsbok with its calf on the dunes in the Walvis Bay region. Incorrectly called an Oryx. Oryx is the name of a genus that consists of 4 large species of antelopes. Scimitar oryx, Gemsbok, East African oryx, and the Arabian oryx.
This image was captured on the only guided safari we took on our trip. Our host/guide J.P. was truly fabulous and got us to some of the exceptional areas in these expansive dunes.
Gemsbok& Calf - Walvis Bay, Namibia
Milkyway - Quiver Tree Forest
Back home after an epic trip to Namibia. Planning a Photo Tour for Sept 2023 for a max of 7 people. Two spots are already taken, so let me know soon if you are interested. It will be a self-drive with two per 4X4 vehicle.
Here is a milkyway image from the Quiver Tree forest in Southern Namibia.
Milkyway - Quiver Tree Forest
OPTIC 2022
Come and join me at OPTIC 2022 from June 12 to 14, 2022. I will present Time-Lapse Imagery and host additional events at B&H and in New York City.
Details: www.bhoptic.com
PLATYPOD'S ECOSYSTEM IS ABOUT TO EXPAND
PLATYPOD'S ECOSYSTEM IS ABOUT TO EXPAND: Tune into The Grid on Wednesday, April 6 at 1:00 PM EST with Platypod's founder Larry T, and photographers Lizzy Gadd and Kris Andres. FREE registration at https://bit.ly/35Do9sa
LRTimelapse 6 is released: with many new features and improved performance!
LRTimelapse production version 6 is now available. Click on the logo to upgrade or get a new license.
With many new features for the ambitious time-lapse photographer and massive performance improvements, LRTimelapse 6 is the tool for anyone shooting and editing time-lapse. The new version is available for download now.
Here are the new features in comparison to version 5:
- Major performance improvements, e.g. when loading sequences
- Native version for Apple M1 devices (Silicon): Apple users who have one of the new M1 Macs with ARM processor now benefit from a further speed advantage thanks to a version optimized specifically for these devices.
- Internal workflow without Lightroom (with a few limitations).
- Integrated editor for direct editing of keyframes in LRTimelapse.
- Integrated export and rendering.
- Render presets
- Enhancements in long term filters
- Improvements in batch processes
- …and much more!
CLICK HERE TO BUY OR UPGRADE
Happy New Year - Bald Eagle Lift Off
Bald Eagle on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Maryland
Wishing all family and friends a Very Happy New Year and good health in 2022.
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Went to Cape Cod to photograph the Snowy Owls. Saw two male Snowys but they were not worth photographing. The background was awful so I did not capture any real keepers. This Red-tailed Hawk was a consolation.
Shore Birds
Sanderling at sunset
Though winter in New England is not the best time for shorebirds, last evening (December 26, 2021), a flock of Sanderlings were at the beach in Cape Cod. It is fun to watch them chasing waves as they break along the shore. A bit of trivia - a group of Sanderlings is called a "grain".
Snowy Owls
On a cold Christmas Eve
2021 is another year for some great Snowy Owl photography. Many beaches and open Tundra-like areas have them roosting during the day and hunting in the evenings. They typically stay through the winter and return north in the spring.
What was that?
Just checking.....
A View from Dante's View
Dante's View Sunset
Dante's View is a viewpoint at 5,476 ft on the north side of Coffin Peak, along the crest of the Black Mountains, overlooking Death Valley. This was sunset on the very last evening of our trip before heading to Las Vegas for our return flight.
After the Rain
After a hailstorm and a lot of rain, the Badlands look like they have been given a fresh coat of color. This is an image taken from the loop road looking down into the formations. I was awed by the intensity of the reds.
Badlands, SD.
Captured with the Panasonic Lumix S1R and the Lumix S-Pro 24070 f/2.8 lens. Exposure triad:f/13, 1/13 sec, ISO 100.