This year I again had two highly commended images in the prestigious Nature’s Best wildlife photo contest. The first image which was highly commended in the endangered species category, was taken on Midway Atoll in the North West Pacific on a day of pouring rain. I was completely alone the whole day; my fellow travellers preferring the shelter of the converted naval barracks that serve as accommodation on the island. But if you look at my four commended images from the last two years, three of them have been taken in the rain. So the lesson is pretty obvious. In order to get eye to eye with the birds I needed to lie prone on the ground. I found I could lie on my right side for longer durations, using the vertical grip shutter and holding the foot of the lens collar with my left hand. I was moving around amongst the birds quite a bit and in such situations I find a tripod too restrictive, hence my preference for hand holding. The other advantage of lying on the ground is that it allowed for the pleasing out of focus, dark green background which in turn helped bring out the falling rain. The final ingredient was the use of a little fill flash to emphasis the rain drops on the birds. I was constantly making small adjustments to my position in order to keep the birds as parallel to my camera as possible but I still needed a relatively small aperture to ensure some decent depth of field and this in turn required the use of a high ISO. The rest was down to patience as I waited for the birds to come together and affectionately nuzzle each other. Finally was a willingness to tolerate a thorough soaking. Albatross pairs mate for life but only come together for a few weeks of the year (every second year for some species). The affection they display towards each other is clear to see and this is what I wanted to capture with this image.
Black-Footed Albatrosses interacting in the rain, Midway Atoll, USA, Canon 1D MK4, Canon 300mm f2.8 IS lens + 1.4x TC, handheld, 1/640th sec, f9, ISO 2000, AV (-2/3rds), Canon 550 EX flash at -1 EV
The second image which was highly commended in the African Wildlife category, was also taken in the rain but in a very different geography, this time on the other side of the world in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve. When I first found this male it was mid-afternoon and he was sleeping under the shade of an acacia tree. For the next three and half hours that’s all he did. Then at about six thirty as the light was fading and the rain falling, a Lioness appeared on a nearby ridge. The Male rose to his feet roaring several times. The Lioness didn’t hang around and quickly disappeared. Three and a half hours of waiting for less than half a minute of activity. That’s pretty much the story of wildlife photography.
Male Lion roaring, Masai Mara, Kenya, Canon 1D MK4, Canon 600mm IS f4 lens + Canon 1.4x TC, lens resting on beanbag on the side of the vehicle, 1/125th sec, f5.6, AV (-1/3 EV)
anna sutcliffe
December 17, 2012
thank you sooo very much for sharing Paul. The albatrosses are particularly superb, well done for getting soaked. One thing I need to be reminded about – what is the make of your multi-pocket waist coat? you were wearing it full of precious lenses etc going on board the aeroplane at Ushuaia.
Paul Mckenzie
December 23, 2012
Hi Anna,
Thank you for your kind words. It’s called the Vested Interest and is made by a company called Storrie Parachute Works. They are based in Texas and you can see their stuff at http://www.vestedinterest.com.
Jaime Migoya
December 18, 2012
Paul
Your image of the Lion is amazing. It really is able to transmit a bad temper in the rain. COngratulataions for the award. Jaime
Paul Mckenzie
December 23, 2012
Thanks Jaime.
Virginia Gray
December 18, 2012
Good on you Paul!
2 great images.
All the best for 2013.
Virginia
Osvaldo Larrain L.
December 18, 2012
Congratulations Paul, a well deserved award, the two pictures are amazing quality and masterful.
Paul Mckenzie
December 18, 2012
Thanks for your kind words Osvaldo especially coming from a photographer of your stature.
Sandy
December 18, 2012
Both are extraordinary, Good on ya! Best wishes and may “your” best photo win… you’ve got my vote 🙂
Susie
December 18, 2012
Congrats!!!!
Paul Mckenzie
December 18, 2012
Thx Susie. Oh, in answer to your previous question, I did actually shoot some video on this trip which I will post soon. Regarding video of me photographing in these places, I would need to find someone to do this! Paveena would be the obvious choice. Time soon for Amaya to come on some of my trips.
Chris Marsham
December 18, 2012
Hi Paul – it was good to meet up with you again on the Ushuaia and to see a real pro in action. It was a great trip. Congrats on the images and the awards. It was also great to see more of your amazing images whilst on board. Info re that multi lens over jacket would be usueful I think to many of us.
Paul Mckenzie
December 23, 2012
Hi Chris. Thanks for your kind word. The jacket is called the Vested Interest (www.vestedinterest.com).
Margie McNamara
December 18, 2012
great shots Paul!! Can’t wait to go to Tanzania and Rwanda next month!!! Don’t think I shall see any rain…well…maybe on the way to the gorillas. You must be so sad that Midway is done with visits. Thanks for sharing your wonderful images!!! How was Antarctica this time around??
Joel Cote
December 19, 2012
As always, your images are awe inspiring. Congrats on the nominations!
Lina Zapata
December 22, 2012
Thanks for sharing Paul, wow! the albatrosses picture is magical, I love the calmness of the colours and the contrast between sleekness of the beaks and the warm fuzziness of the feathers. The lion is fearful and rugged, he makes me think of an outlaw 😉
Congratulations, best of lucks, hope you win!
Paul Mckenzie
December 23, 2012
Thanks Lina for your kind words.