Morkel Erasmus
10-09-2009, 01:00 PM
This shot was taken in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park recently. We were on our way back to our camp from the late afternoon drive and on top of a dune this scene caught my eye.
I shot this through the car window with a zoom lens as I wanted to place emphasis on the tree and sun, as opposed to creating a wider scape.
I specifically also chose the wide aperture to place the focus on the tree, using the blurry grass in front to lead the eye. It might not be everyone's cup of tea.
The camelthorn tree is the signature tree of the Kalahari, and the role it plays in the ecosystem is quite profound - many creatures depend on it for life. The nests you see here are those of the sociable weaver colonies - they nest together in their hundreds and up to thousands and are in intricate part of the land.
This truly is a magical part of the world - the light, the space, the quiet.
Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 105mm
f5.6 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.7
I shot this through the car window with a zoom lens as I wanted to place emphasis on the tree and sun, as opposed to creating a wider scape.
I specifically also chose the wide aperture to place the focus on the tree, using the blurry grass in front to lead the eye. It might not be everyone's cup of tea.
The camelthorn tree is the signature tree of the Kalahari, and the role it plays in the ecosystem is quite profound - many creatures depend on it for life. The nests you see here are those of the sociable weaver colonies - they nest together in their hundreds and up to thousands and are in intricate part of the land.
This truly is a magical part of the world - the light, the space, the quiet.
Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 105mm
f5.6 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.7