Saturday, 29th October 2011
Grey Ghost
by Etienne Oosthuizen
Often called Africa's grey ghost, the Greater Kudu is remarkable in its abilities to disappear, they are able to filter back into the surround bush and thickets, as silently as they appeared. I have tried to capture a photograph of a this particular bull, who was in its prime. We had left camp to got gather some fire wood, I had often left my camera so not to be distracted from the task at hand. Of this particular occasion I had my camera with a single lens, a 400mm f5.6 L USM. We caught this bull out out his usual haunt of the thickets in the jess bush of the Zambezi valley floor. He was in the Mahogany forest, he froze look up and stood still for a mere moment before flushing back into the surrounding brush ... I jumped out and stalked him as if I were the other ghost of the Flood plains. I managed to get 2m from the Landcruiser before he barked and ran off. He stop swang around and faced me, I decided to crawl closer, he continued to bark, a call that shudders through the Mahogany woodlands. As I was a different shape to what he probably expects from people, he wlaked a little close as if want to investigate this new shape in his area. I was looking for the right moment it was all I needed.
Equipment: Canon
Etienne Oosthuizen
I am a professional guide with an irrepressible enthusiasm for wildlife photography. A born and bred Zimbabwean and having grown up on a tobacco farm I was exposed to the great outdoors from a young age. Now with more than 10 years' experience in 5 countries and many hours spent behind a camera, I lead photographic safaris to the wildest places in Africa. My photography website is a intimate collection of raw and powerful African images, mainly of wildlife and natural scenes. I enjoy epic wildlife photography, those moments that just knock your socks off and leaves you in awe.
www.photographicafrica.com
Website: www.photographicafrica.com
Grey Ghost by Etienne Oosthuizen was photo of the day on Saturday, 29th October 2011. It is tagged safari. You can leave a comment below.
33 Comments
Mary Mullins
What a destinctive picture.
Geana
You really captured what a great looking animal this is!
Poli Dalawir
Great shot! Superb moment!
Jason Stander
Congrats Ettienne… what a shot and lovely story behind it!!!!!!
Louise | Italy
What a marvellous shot!
Wanda Krack
What a magnificent animal and picture!
Wilson Beckett
wonderful, truly wonderful
michael van staden
great shot Etienne. Nice story from our beloved Southern Africa.
Gregg Darling
What an awesome bull. Lovely image and storey. Well done Etienne.
Helen Hart
What a totally magnificent creature, wow! Thanks so much.
mubarek alghazali
very nice captur
Elizabeth
compelling shot – magnificent animal
ziggy
awesome creature, grace, strength power and fragility in one place, in one moment. Fantastic, mesmerising capture. Thank you.
Brendan Lawlor
A beautiful mystery, just like Africa
Fernando Rodriguez
Excellent shot. I have never seen this particular animal. Now thanks to you I have. Thank you for this great shot.
Gail Griffin
What a perfectly beautiful animal! You captured a masterpiece! Congratulations!
Paula Owens
WowWe! What a shot! You really do take your time and it pays off. I love your depth of field in this shot. It makes this majestic animal stand out all the more and it is so sharp! Well done.
jo-ann vander burg
A cool shot, had to be at the right spot at the right time. terrific photo thank you.
Subi Wilks
Stunning!
Terri
A magnificient creature, exquisitely designed. What a prize is this photo!
LindaPothiers
WOW!! What a bauttiful creature! Such detailes ih his markings. Perfect antlers . thank you for sharing. God Bless
LindaPothiers
Rewrite: WOW!! What a beautiful creature! Such details in it’s markings. Perfect antlers too. Thank you for sharing. God Bless
Jacqueline Deely
Just back from a trip to Botswana and saw lots of these magnificent animals. Beautiful capture!
B Gruner
This got to be from Zambezi NP? I’ve never seen Kudu as big and magnificent as there! Just back from Zim but without photos as my camera exploded after the encounter with the Victoria Falls mist! What a shot this is. Wish I was there! The crocs there aren’t to be sneezed at either! Oh, and the hippos!… Thanks for this reminder of a great place – hope it will return to former glory! (PS: I was there visiting friends… on a tobacco farm… they’re limping along, but still there they are!)
Diana
Beautiful!
Janice McAlpine
You just knocked my socks off!
Laura Milholland
Absolutely marvelous capture of this magnificent animal. The pose, light and everything are a real credit to your superb skill with the camera, and your determination. Congratulations.
Alex Sharp
truly marvellous, really impressive, congratulations.
Hannes Thirion
Great image.
Well captured.
Kimberly Gould
Great story to go with a wonderful photograph. I have never even heard of this animal before, and I can see why if they are very difficult to find. Great job!
Pauline Jones
Amazing shot; not easy to capture a wild animal; well done.
KAMRAJ RAMDHANI
fantastic shot, well done,
Bubbels
a beautyfull young bull!!!