HarveyG

Entered in the IPIP monthly club meet and achieved an 80% for it.

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 and Batteries: Phottix
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs for Noise Reduction, HDR.

I do the odd tour and assist budding bird photographers shoot at MBG. Join the group on Flickr if you have any images you want to share. This shot was taken with a 1997 Sigma 170-500mm APO f/5-6.3 on a very overcast day with the light changing constantly. A great lens for those with a small budget. Can be bought 2nd hand (locally) for most mounts under $700-00 if you know where to look

The newer Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO can be bought for around $1000-00 new (excluding shipping and taxes from USA to RSA). The local retail brick and mortar price is about $1870-00! (ZAR 12,600-00)

Gymnogene - (Polyboroides typus) (c) HarveyG Photography

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 and Batteries: Phottix
Editing Plug-in: Topaz Labs for Noise Reduction, HDR.

Those people who zoom drive past a bird in a tree in a park (like the KNP) don’t know what they are missing. Sure Rollers are relatively common, like the Lilac-breasted Roller, that is. This Roller is different. It’s the first time I’ve seen a Purple Roller. I parked the car at an angle so that I could get comfortable with the cameras, idled for 30 seconds, switched off the engine after he got accustomed to us/the car. He took off after a few minutes and caught himself lunch. He then returned to the same spot and gave us a wonderful display. Next time you see a bird in the KNP, hang around a bit…

Shot with a Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 APO Aspherical for Nikon

Purple Roller - Coracias naevius (c) HarveyG Photography 2010

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I am a Wildlife Photographer. I prefer it. It’s a passion.

Perhaps I don’t get out as much as NG photog’s but hey, I do what I can when I can. This stork was spotted by my wife at 100° behind the car and high up in a tree in the KNP after we had driven past it unnoticed. She is an excellent spotter. Just as I managed to turn around and get the car parked in a suitable spot, he took off. I watched him and he circled, and came back to land a short while later on the same branch offering me a better view. There must have been 1/2 dozen other cars that just drove past, seeing a “bird” and not interested, their loss

Wooly-necks aren’t very common. It’s my first sighting of one in almost 30 years of visiting the KNP.

Shot with a Sigma 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 APO Macro for Nikon

Wooly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus (c) HarveyG Photography 2010

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A common Roller species,  they are reasonably easy to photograph, once you get one that hangs around for more than 30 seconds. They love to sit high up in a shrub with few leaves or a dead tree seeking grasshoppers, butterflies or anything else tasty. This shot was taken in July, our winter when they aren’t as colourful as in summer.

Shot with a Sigma 170-500mm f/5-6.3 APO Aspherical for Nikon

Lilca-breasted Roller - Coracias caudatus (c) HarveyG Photography 2010

Click about/contact if you wish to order a print. Thanks!