Ultimate Antarctica
January 5–February 1, 2008
I cant remember all the words but the axiom begins something like this, Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can ...advice a wildlife photographer should consider. Whenever were asked what qualities make a successful photographer we always list patience as one of the top ingredients. While mastery of the craft is a given and having a good eye is very important, patiencethe willingness to let things happen, to know when to wait and when to move onis one of a wildlife photographers most important qualities.

On a recent trip to Tanzania this was well illustrated. On one memorable occasion we encountered a lioness lying amid three gnu calves and two zebra foal carcasses. None were eaten; and, although lions will sometimes kill an easy prey simply because they can, usually there is some evidence of feeding. We noticed blood dripping from the lionesss mouth and, on a closer examination, discovered that the entire front portion of her lower jaw was missing.

The number of carcasses strewn about on the sandy flat now made sense. The lionessalthough terribly injuredwas hungry and was compelled to make a kill. Instinct told her that if she killed she would eat. Although she was capable of killing, the virtual lack of a lower jaw prevented her from chewing into the relatively soft hide of a young gnu. Assessing the situation, we figured that if we only waited wed see her hunt again, as lost wildebeest calves were everywhere and it would just be a matter of time before another wandered by.

We only needed to wait ten minutes before a calf appeared and walked close enough to trigger the lionesss hunting response. Despite her injury, the sequencethe lioness bounding across the flats, the swirl of dust as she tackled the calf, the apparent death bitewas spectacular, even though it ended with the lioness deserting her kill once more.

In Africa, it seems, its all about waiting. Cheetah hunts are classic examples. A cheetah may begin a hunt in early morning that may not successfully conclude until late afternoon. Although cheetahs often make their kills from mid-morning on, a hungry cheetah will capitalize on any opportunity that presents itself. If youre hoping to photograph the hunt, its prudent to stay with the cat regardless of the time of day.

Its important to remember that wild animals run on their own time, and for them time means nothing. For a photographer anxious to make images, this might seem frustrating, but theres nothing one can do but accept the fact that nature works at its own pace. Weve watched obviously hungry cheetahs just sitting beneath a bush with absolutely no game in sight and wondered, Why arent they moving? Why arent they hunting? Despite these questions, we knew that hungry cats would hunt eventually and we knew that if we were patient we might be lucky and photograph a hunt or a kill. Often, luck is with usor with the cheetah, depending upon your perspectiveand prey wanders by within a few minutes. More frequently, the cats resume their hunt and well follow along, and again were usually rewarded for our patience. Sometimes our vigil lasts all day. On very rare occasions weve been skunked, with a cheetah attempting one or several hunts without success. But those times, fortunately, have been few.

One wildlife spectacle Africa safari-goers often wish to see is a wildebeest or gnu river crossing. While gnus cross several waterwaysat Lake Ndutu and along the Grumeti River in Tanzanias Serengeti, for examplethe crossings that are the most famous, and most easily photographed, are along the Mara River in Kenyas Masai Mara. And it is here that ones patience as a photographer can be most sorely tested.

Count yourself lucky if you are even in the Masai Mara when the wildebeest migration is present. Over the last fifteen years or so the migration has become increasingly erratic, and today one may have as good a chance of seeing a river crossing in late October as one may have had in August ten years ago. What was once a very seasonal event covering two or three months is now one that may or may not occur in a time span lasting five months. Each year the timing of the migration differs, perhaps because of rain or the lack of it in either Tanzania or Kenya, or burnings, or for other reasons scientists have not determined. But if the wildebeest are there, and if theyre gathered along the river, chances are a crossing may occur.

But chance and may are very indefinite terms, and indeed the gnus may not cross even when gathered, or they may take hours to finally decide to do so. As the herds bunch up along the riverbanks, safari vehicles generally appear as well, positioning themselves at spots that will hopefully provide the tourists inside with the best views. Occasionally, quite sadly, a tourist vehicle gives up and leaves, cutting through the herds without regard as they depart. This scatters and sometimes drives the herds away from the riverbanks, much to the disgust and rage of those who are patiently waiting. Hours may elapse before the herds return.

Some wildlife events may lack the drama or excitement of a cheetah hunt or wildebeest river crossing, but nonetheless require just as much patience and perseverance. Last fall and winter the Masai Mara received an unusually high amount of rain, a product of the cyclic El Nio phenomenon, and the grasses in the Mara were quite high. Jacksons widowbirdsa black, grackle-like bird of the grasslandscapitalized on this lush growth by breeding both in November and late January.

Most safari-goers never see a widowbird, or at least never notice one, as most of the year its a rather nondescript black bird. During breeding season, however, the male grows a huge, fluffy-looking tail that may remind one of a roosters. At such times the bird is unmistakable as it lumbers along in flight, with its huge tail dragging through the air and cutting its speed to an avian crawl. Widowbirds court in leks, areas where males gather and display to attract their mates. Each male trims a circle of grass around a central grassy island where it conducts a unique hopping courtship dance. From a distance, the unlikely-looking shape of the bird reminds one of a stuffed black sock being tossed repeatedly into the air. Should a female appear, the male intensifies its display, jumping up and down in fast, short hops that are quite comical to watch.

Its a rare opportunity to have a widowbird display close by. If youre not a birder or a keen natural history photographer who wants to film everything, it doesnt sound too exciting. But just as waiting for cheetahs to hunt or wildebeest to cross a river requires patience, so too does it require time for a courting widowbird to return to the lek youve staked out. If you wait, the bird will come. Waiting a half hour, or an hour for a bird may tax the patience of some, especially when there are other potential subjects waiting. But are there?

Consider this when youre thinking of giving up. Ask yourself, what is your objective? What is it that you really want to film? Why are you here? If your answers are to film behavior, or to capture new images, your impatience may be tempered. The adage, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, is one that photographers should take to heart. Remember the cheetah hunt example. The time you spend waiting isnt wastedthese are the dues that must be paid to enjoy success.

Of course, common sense must play a role in any decision you make. On safari, when we encounter a fat-bellied cheetah or lion, we generally stay a few minutes, take a few snaps perhaps, and move on. Chances are, a full-bellied cat isnt going to make another kill. Lions might, but its unlikely and its probably prudent to move on. Cheetahs almost never hunt or kill when theyre not hungry.

Closer to home we spend a lot of time in photo blinds, and when a subject isnt cooperating we are sometimes tempted to just give up. For us, our time at home is so limited and precious that its hard to justify wasting time in a blind when we could be catching up on slide editing or correspondence. I solve that dilemma by always bringing a book or magazine into the blind with me. I rarely have time for pleasure reading, so my time in a blind gives me a forced break that I can happily utilize.

Even in some of our western national parks Ive often carried a book, knowing that if I take the time to read for a spell Im far more likely to be accepted by the game around me. While admittedly it should be enough to simply be out there enjoying the outdoors, I must confess that I can get restless and being occupied keeps me rooted to a spot far longer than I might otherwise be.

Of course, there are plenty of times Mary and I have simply sat back and enjoyed the show, especially when were out of state and away from the insidious, magnetic pull of the office. Once, after spending several hours filming pika in Colorados Rocky Mountain National Park, I decided to just hang out in the rock piles and see what else might develop. I had little interest in shooting more pikathe light had changed and I felt that the best shooting had passed. While I hunkered down among some large boulders on a talus slope a long-tailed weasel appeared, searching the rocks for mice or baby pika and coming so close that at one point I thought it was going to run up my outstretched leg!

Perhaps patience shouldnt always be defined in terms of waiting for something. Perhaps, instead, as the weasel anecdote illustrates, patience might be better described as simply being there to allow yourself to see, and hopefully to record, what happens.

Magic can happen at any time. While waiting for a sleeping cheetah, the most tolerant gray hornbill may fly into a nearby tree or a herd of elephants may suddenly materialize from the brush. At a bird blind, that strangely empty waterhole youve staked out might surprise you when a bobcat slips through the undergrowth for a long drink. Having no luck in a float blind? While shooting basking turtles, an American bittern might glide into the cattails in front of you.

Lottery ads always declare, You gotta play to win. Photographers might be wise to heed a similar counsel, You gotta be there to make successful, exciting images. Doesnt have the same ring, of course, but its a message all of us should take to heart. When photographing wildlife, be patient. The rewards are worth it.


Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070
Phone: (206) 463-5383   Fax: (206) 463-5484    Email: info@photosafaris.com
Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.