We are currently in the midst of one of my favourite times of the year. The reason: the unbelievable mornings. The bushveld is always pretty, but it is now that I think it is spectacular! Each morning, I jump out of bed, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and then drive out of camp, hoping for mist. The day is thick with opportunity and potential; so much so that you can nearly taste it in the air!
The mornings are fresh and cold; but they are rejuvenating. They make for the most marvelous photographic opportunities, allowing one to get creative and to capture a different mood of safari. Even if I don’t see a single animal in the first half an hour I am still grinning from ear to ear. After all, I am driving around on the most beautiful patch of planet earth! Come join me and experience the thrill of the morning drive…
A dead tree in the foreground often helps to add to the composition of the picture
Yet another distnat view over the Kruger National Park. For this shot I used ISO of 400, F-stop at 2,8, Auto WB and the picture style set to landscape.
The glorious view out across Stwise Koppie
The fog that forms here is classified as radiation fog. This is formed by the cooling of land after sunset by thermal radiation in calm conditions with clear sky. The cool ground produces condensation in the nearby air by heat conduction. In perfect calm skies the fog layer can be less than a meter deep, but turbulence can promote a thicker layer. Radiation fogs occur at night, and usually do not last long after sunrise. It is common in autumn and early winter.
Animals, such as this Zebra, look wonderful when bathed in fog
A distant view of gentle colours
What also makes for a wonderful image is if you can get to some water in the early hours of the morning. Here, at first light, a darter can be seen sunning itself whilst a pod of onlooking hippos snort in dissaproval
Nothing beats a misty sunrise. All the colours amplified by the surrounding haze and moisture. And with the rising sun comes the reassuring warmth of another spectacular day in the bushveld
Did you know : Fog is defined as cloud which reduces visibility to less than 1 km, whereas mist is that which reduces visibility to less than 2 km.
Written and photographed by Adam Bannister
You are just the BEST at this landscape photography! UTTERLY BRILLIANT in fact.
Thank you very much Anne that is very kind of you. It helps when you have beautiful scenery to start with 😉
Adam,your photos are stunning!!…we visit the Kruger as often as we can….I love the sunset and sunrise…most beautiful time of day…Enjoy what you are doing…and thanks for sharing it with us.
Greetings Linda
Thank you linda. The bush is incredible at the moment!
Hi Adam,
Another wonderful blog with amazing photos of your dreamy morning bushveld. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful Adam. Thanks for giving us these moments.
Adam, spectacular pictures! We are looking forward to July when we will be able to enjoy our stay at Londolozi and the beauty of Africa. Adam, what lens do you typically use when out on a drive, 300m, 70-200m or something different? Just trying to plan for our trip in the hope of capturing pictures something close to what you and your colleagues do each and every week. Thanks for sharing.
Scott I have a canon 7D and use a 70 -200 mm lens. I personally am very happy with this setup!
Love itAdam,keepitupman!
Adam–You are a true artist with your camera. Thank you for every picture you share with us Londolozi lovers.
FYI real camera lens….I am NOT a pro and struggle with exposure but got some very good shots at Londolozi using a 70-300mm lens on a NIKON d70s….same camera and lens combo I’ll take back in December….can’t wait!
,,,,,and the rangers (and trackers) are more than happy to help with photography…..!
Sam, look at the caption under the second photograph…does that help you? I know nothing about photography, so I can’t answer your question.
Beautiful Adam! The morning, misty pictures are always my favorite landscapes! Thanks so much for sharing.
Adam, what an amazing job you have…I can think of no other place to call my “work” space. Beautiful photographs.
Really impressive.
I also liked the trivia about mist vs fog.
But the photos remind me of our trip to Londolozi last year.
Truly a trip of a lifetime.
Thanks for the memories.
Chuck
Absolutely Stunning!!! beautiful pics Adam!
Incredible pics Ad- Love looking at these constant updates!
Good Morning! Makes me want to head back, the landscapes in the early morning hours are breathtaking. As we head into summer you are cooling off! No place like the Bush!
These pictures are magical. Thank you.
Great picture. i hope I get some like these later in the year
Thank you Adam for sharing – so incredibly stunning! I must share Jake’s video with you. I’ll email a link to his video acct. I look forward to taking time each day to relax and enjoy your scenery!
Thanks Jen, I have responded to you via email. rich
All gorgeous pictures.
What absolutely breathtaking photos. Thank you so much for sharing. I especially loved the photo of the Darter sitting on the ‘Stickasaurus’ surrounded by Hippos.