Male Nyala

[Ken Watkins]

This was the first time I have ever seen a Nyala in the open, nothing I could do about the harsh light.

Taken in Makola National Park, Northern Cape South Africa 13th December 2009

EOS 1D MkIII

500mm F4 IS hand-held

F5.6, ISO 400, 1/2000

[Marc Mol]

A first for me as well Ken, normally well hidden in forest/scrub as seen in SLNP- Zambia. Good opportunistic shot.
TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

A handsome beast Ken, is it related to the Kudu?

Steve

[Ken Watkins]

A handsome beast Ken, is it related to the Kudu?

Steve

Steve,

According to my handy data Source "The Safari Companion" by Richard D. Estes it is
" a dry-land, hairier version of a Sitatunga, found only in southeastern Africa"

But it is part of the "Bushbuck Tribe" (Tragelaphini) which includes amongst others Kudu, Bongo and Eland

There are a couple of interesting photos on this link

http://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/wildlife_nyala.htm

[Alfred Forns]

Fine image Ken, he just posed for you !! Thanks for the explanation .. a first for me also !!!

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Thanks Ken!

I vaguely remembering seeing one of these in NGC some time back. Good to see an image and explanations. I agree about the harsh light, but it is better to record a species in whatever light than leave it to memory.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Morkel Erasmus]

they are very graceful. you handled the light well. I got some decent open shots in Pafuri and will upload as soon as I've come around to processing! :)