Page 51 - Discover Botswana 24th Edition 2024

www.discoverbotswanathebook.biz 51
PHOTO ESSAY
From awe-inspiring landscapes to
heart-stirring wildlife imagery,
aerial photography offers a
perspective that is truly unique.
Rapid advancements in technology
mean that photographers are no
longer reliant on helicopters and fixed wing
aircraft, as drone cameras can now provide
imagery that stands alongside mirrorless and
DSLR quality. Whilst giving a unique perspective
not possible with manned aircraft, it places on
the photographer a different set of challenges,
responsibilities, and ethical considerations
hitherto un-noted.
Responsible wildlife photography is of utmost
importance in Botswana. Photographers and
operators must prioritise the well-being of the
animals, respecting their space and ensuring
minimal disruption. It is impossible to fly a
drone or helicopter close to animals without
provoking some kind of reaction, be it a relaxed
raise of the head or a full flight response.
Therefore, our aim is always to be there as an
observer, and we must be disciplined enough to
withdraw from an area if our presence appears
to be threatening.
Flying a drone around animals at all should only
be done by experienced pilots who understand
the game and its behaviour. Knowing shutter
speeds and apertures is no longer enough -
respect for the animals and a clear understanding
of their potential reactions to the intrusion is
essential.
In this setting it can be near impossible
to choreograph photographs in the way
photographers would normally do. One is very
much dependent upon what nature provides.
Thus, you become very aware, always on the
lookout, concentrating on what might happen
in any situation, and projecting your mind’s eye
to the sky imagining what opportunities await.
It is very much a patience game - you must
Previous pages: Like pink paint daubed on
a fresh canvas, flamingos take flight as one.
They are able to inhabit some of the harshest
environments on the continent. Makgadikgadi
Pans is an important breeding ground for
them that in some years can number into the
millions.
Facing page: Flamingos flock to Ntwetwe
Pan, one of the two major pans of the
Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. When the conditions
are right, usually March to June, it becomes
flooded and turns into a sea of endless waters.
Below: At Kwapa in the Okavango Delta, a
myriad of game trails leads the way to one of
the few water sources set in an arid landscape.
This water source encourages wildlife and
birds to congregate in these unique spaces.