Category: Portfolio

17Jun

Lüneburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, RSA

Posted in Architecture, Locations, Portfolio, Road Trip, Rural, Workshop | Leave a comment

After a recent trip to Sodwana I took a detour to reconnoitre the quaint village of Lüneburg (place of the moon) which lies nestled in the northern Drakensberg and is the original settlement of German Lutheran missionaries who in 1854 named the community after their home-town in Germany. The views, the buildings, the landscapes sublime and take one back to a simpler time and a slower pace. Today it is the site of the oldest German school in northern KwaZulu Natal and lies virtually on the border with Mpumalanga; Deutsche Schule Lüneburg. Its closest neighbour is the city of Paulpietersburg. There are a number of B and B’s, Self Catering establishments. Attractions; fishing, trails, cycling, birding, wetlands, mountain passes, clear night skies for star gazing. Take a week to explore and make sure you are in a 4×4 / SUV.

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Northern Berg Vista

Rolling hills and mountains. Northern Berg Vista, KZN © Harvey Grohmann

I “relied” on my Garmin Nuvi and despite telling it to avoid dirt where possible it took us on mostly that. Never again! I had not planned on such a massive detour. Needless to say I have restocked the 4×4 with real maps. From Piet Retief (R543) it took us to Lüneburg then over some very challenging dirt road mountain passes to the exit just south east of Wakkerstroom on the Utrecht Rd.

4 hours (don’t believe the Google map estimate of 2.5 hours) of really poor roads both badly potholed tar and mostly dirt and logging trucks vying for space on narrow bridges with broken or no railings. Don’t let this put you off. It’s doable. In daylight.


View Driving directions to Lüneburg from Piet Retief in a larger map

Here is a link to German Societies and Institutions in South Africa.

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries etc: BandH
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs Noise Reduction, HDR, B&W Conversion & more!

ALL IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © Harvey Grohmann. Read more for Terms and Conditions:
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12Jun

Green Wood Hoopoe in indigenous forest

Posted in Digital Photo Challenge, Flora and Fauna, Mazda Wildlife Fund, Portfolio, Print for Sale, Sigma Photo, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Those who follow me (FaceBook, Twitter, Flickr) will know I’ve been trying to get a magazine quality shot of this beautiful bird showing it’s full iridescence for some time. It came together last week.

(Phoeniculus purpureus)

Green Wood Hoopoe © Harvey Grohmann

They seldom sit still as they constantly dig under bark looking for moths, insects and larvae. Naturally this is done under a canopy of leaves from the tree they have targeted so they are often in the shade. Only sunlight reveals their amazing iridescence which is scant considering the umbrella they have above them. They’ve been near impossible to photograph unless you are in the exact right place, right time and they don’t see you. I Leopard crawled behind him to get this shot.

The Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) is a large, up to 44 cm long, near-passerine tropical bird native to Africa. It is a member of the family Phoeniculidae, the wood Hoopoes, and was formerly known as the Red-billed Wood Hoopoe. They are common but are constantly on the move and very wary. They have the most fabulous laughter/call and are very sociable birds.

The Zulu’s call them “Ntlheki bafazi” because they make such a racket when hunting, searching for bugs. This translates to the “chatter of noisy women” :) I can vouch for that!

They swoop fly, meaning there is a fair amount of vertical up and down movement as they beat their wings and BiF images are also quite difficult to get.

They are my favourite bird of the 800+ species found in Southern Africa.

Wildlife photography is an insular pursuit. Often selfish. In order to excel you need to be “alone”. No other distractions. I can name a number of colleagues who would no doubt agree, based on their blog writing, style and consistent quality of their work. Occasionally we work with another photographer who also understands the demands 100%. This is not to say that we don’t enjoy shooting with clients, friends and family but let me take you through the requirements to get what looks like an easy shot…and perhaps the fact that it looks like just another bird on a tree, casually peering into the distance, unperturbed and patient.

Easy shot right? Perhaps the fact that it looks so easy, casual, is why it scored a mediocre 42/90 in a recent DPC Photo Competition. There was no one at the “office”. Everyone was out. Working on the PC, I can see outside to the forest. I heard the birds before I saw them, grabbed the camera/lens combo (always ready and waiting) and snuck outside, hit the deck and leopard crawled up to a raised area, where 90% of my body was hidden from the birds. Took off my jumper and rested the camera on top of it as a form of bean bag. Pushed the ISO t0 1600 as I was using a 100-300mm f/4 with a TC x1.4 and began shooting. With no distractions I was calm and methodical. Timing shots. Waiting for specific movements of the birds, body language etc. Something you can only do if you have watched them as often as I. Predictive photography, especially with WILD-life gets results. Good gear helps too as does thorough working knowledge of that gear.

Shot details: Nikon D7000 | Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM OS @420mm with Sigma TC 1.4x
ISO-1600 | f/5.6 | 1/800s | EV +0.3 | Hand Held but resting on jumper.
Post Processing in part with Topaz Labs
Location: @ Midrand, South Africa.

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries etc: BandH
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs Noise Reduction, HDR, B&W Conversion & more!

ALL IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © Harvey Grohmann. Read more for Terms and Conditions:
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04Jun

Hoedspruit Photo Workshop – Levaillant’s cuckoo

Posted in eShop, Flora and Fauna, Locations, Photography 101, Portfolio, Print for Sale, Rural, Telephoto, Wildlife, Wildlife, Workshop | Leave a comment

Levaillant’s cuckoo. Lifer. Photographed on a getaway, workshop near the town of Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa. Amazing what one can see when making the effort, taking the time and being persistent. A bit skittish it seldom allowed me to get close than about 3 or 4 car lengths and it would fly off to another tree further on up the road.

Levaillant's cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii), Lifer © Harvey Grohmann

Levaillant’s cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii), Lifer © Harvey Grohmann

The Levaillant’s cuckoo occurs in huge areas of sub-Saharan Africa, preferring Acacia, miombo and broad-leaved Burkea woodland. It is extremely secretive and hard to find, foraging in thick undergrowth. It almost exclusively parasitizes babblers, for reasons not understood. Egg-laying is an elaborate process, with the male distracting the host birds, while the female sneaks into the nest to lay its egg. Unlike many other cuckoos, the chick does not kill the host nestlings, in fact they often co-exist quite peacefully. The chick stays in the nest for about 9-10 days, becoming fully independent 3-5 weeks later. – http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/

The workshop took us to Ekuthuleni Lodge overlooking the Oliphant’s River, some 23km from Hoedspruit in Limpopo Province, less than an hour’s drive from both the Phalaborwa and Orpen gates of the Kruger National Park. Offering thatched self-catering chalets and caravan sites, the resort provides great options for a true African bushed experience. Guests can enjoy game drives, self drives, excellent birding opportunities and the excitement of being positioned on the banks of the Oliphant’s River, with abundant wildlife to be viewed. The wonders of the Mpumalanga escarpment; the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck potholes and God’s Window are also within easy driving distance. The sheer beauty of the area and it’s abundant wildlife is a photographers dream.

A self catering long weekend trip (Friday-Sunday) starting from R7,000-00 per person sharing suited for couples sharing. 3 couples per unit. Discounts for groups up to 12 can be arranged.

A full week long itinerary can be arranged with visits to a number of wildlife rehabilitation centres, Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels and many other photographic opportunities; landscape, wildlife and people. Pricing from R10,000-00 per person sharing.

Includes: Accommodation, Tuition, Meals, OSV, Professional Guide, Guiding Fees. Excludes: Travel, Alcoholic Beverages, Incidentals. For a full package description please contact us.

GPS: 24° 12.766 S / 30° 49.091 E / Google Map Here


View Driving directions to in a larger map

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries etc: BandH
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs Noise Reduction, HDR, B&W Conversion & more!

ALL IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © Harvey Grohmann. Read more for Terms and Conditions:
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16May

SAAF Museum AFB – 40th Anniversary Airshow

Posted in Airshows, Arms/Military/Weapons, Events, Planes, Portfolio, Road Trip, Transportation | Leave a comment

Despite wet, windy overcast weather and almost no blue sky I managed to pull off a few decent shots. Patience was the key and timing the aircraft’s flight into sparse blue patches of background AND simultaneously getting it in what little sunlight there was. Very tricky photography with very low shutter speeds for prop blur. I spent the day looking for unusual and unique images and not run of the mill aircraft fly-past images.

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“Out of the Sun” – The business end of the SAAF AFB Museum Harvard AT-6C Mk III aka “Nelson” #7111 at yesterday’s SAAF Museum 40th Anniversary air-show at Swartkops AFB. A common tactic of fighter pilots was to attack enemy sorties from high with the sun behind them. I’m playing with some flare and star techniques and avoiding the usual boring yearly flyby shots. Enjoy!

Tech Specs: The weather was atrocious for flight photography, overcast, grey, wet, windy. There were very few blue sky opportunities and thus the photography was extremely technical. ISO 100, f/14, 1/125s, @300mm Hand Held and no VR/OS or IS assistance.

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries etc: BandH
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs Noise Reduction, HDR, B&W Conversion & more!

ALL IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © Harvey Grohmann. Read more for Terms and Conditions:
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30Apr

Clarens and Golden Gate National Park Visit 2013

Posted in Camera and Equipment, Landscape, Locations, Portfolio, Rural, Sunrise / Sunset, Workshop | Leave a comment

The Park’s expansive scenery from grasslands surrounded by the Maluti Mountains is a photographers dream. Hiking and birdwatching are also a great reason to getaway here at the first opportunity. Many unusual species of bird can only be found here. Why did it take me 30 years to visit Clarens and Golden Gate National Park!?

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Mild highveld summers with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon and cold winters with occasional snow transforms the park into a white wonderland. Birds are a lot more scarce in winter but it shouldn’t stop you from being vigilant, as they are there and patience is required to get sightings and photos. I went to try catch a glimpse of the bearded vultures but despite a wonderful new hide funded and built by the SAN Parks Honorary Rangers on the site of the old hide, there were no regular drops of carcasses despite Park staff insisting this happens on Thursdays.

I’ve underlined the species I saw on my trip bar one or two LBJ’s I’m still identifying.

Look for Cape Rock-Thrush, Pied Starling and Red-winged Starling, Malachite Sunbird, African Stone Chat, Yellow Bishop, Ground Woodpecker, Swainson’s Spurfowl, Cape Rock-Thrush, a number of sparrow species and Cape Weaver. Cape Grassbird and Bush Blackcap in summer have been seen at the Campsite as well as Barratt’s Warbler between the wooded bush and the sandstone cliffs. Alpine Swift and African Black Swift nest in summer and Rock Martin and Greater Striped Swallow. A pair of Verreauxs’ Eagle usually breed each year on the ‘Brandwag’ or sentinel buttress, directly opposite the hotel; other smaller raptors such as Lanner Falcon and Rock Kestrel. Behind the hotel the valley has been noted to be good for African Harrier-Hawk, Cape Grassbird and Wailing Cisticola. Grey-winged Francolin, Bearded Vulture, Cape Vulture and White-necked Raven. At protea Corner look out for Gurney’s Sugarbird and Malachite Sunbird, especially when they are flowering. There’s a small dam on the Western side of the park and African Black Duck, assorted warblers and Southern Bald Ibis breed in the park and surrounds.

Winter temperatures can drop to a mere -9 to -15 degrees C with snow a regular occurrence.

Golden Gate primarily falls in a summer rainfall area (September to April). Annual rainfall is approximately 760 mm per year. In very wet years this figure can rise to 1250 mm. The area is prone to sudden weather changes.

Gear I use: Bodies: Nikon D-SLR’s / Lenses: Nikon, Sigma, Tokina, Vivitar
Filters: Hoya UV & Polarizing / Flash: Nikon Speed-lights / Bag: Lowe Pro
Tripods & Heads: Manfrotto / Grips, Triggers, Timers, Batteries etc: BandH
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs Noise Reduction, HDR, B&W Conversion & more!

ALL IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE © Harvey Grohmann. Read more for Terms and Conditions:
(more…)