Article Preview; New Nikkor 70-200mm F4 for Macro Photography

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Post and photos by Denni Raubenheimer

       

Its been quite the busy week and I have been unable to write my intended article on Nikon’s great new 70-200mm lens, the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:4G ED, for use in macro and semi-macro photography. What I am able to do is post this pseudo-preview. The lens boosts top-end optical performance, record-breaking vibration reduction and small minimum focus distance. Here follow two samples taken with the lens on a Nikon D800, though only one of these fall into macro classification. 

African Honey-Bee, Taken with Nikon D800 and AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:4G ED, F/6.3, 1/2000s, ISO-900. 

 

Lesser bushbaby (Lesser galagos), Taken with Nikon D800 and AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:4G ED, F/4, 1/60s, ISO-6400.

Fearie Glen Nature Reserve, Pretoria – A Morning’s Photography and General Info

Black-shouldered Kite. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2500s, F/7.1, ISO-400.

Article and Photographs by Denni Raubenheimer.

   Click on image to view larger version.

        Last week I was fortunate to have an early weekday morning open to do some wildlife photography. I had planned to visit Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve for a mix of photography and bird-watching. However, with economic crunches and an income that fluctuates from month-to-month I decided to rather opt for Fearie Glen Nature Reserve, which is much closer to our home. My disappointment at not being able to visit Roodeplaat would luckily be replaced by thankfulness.

        I reckon that as I got my gear ready the night prior to going I started leaning towards focusing on photography, in stead of combining it with a bird atlas list at the reserve. After all, together with my wife I had already made multiple bird atlas lists at the reserve, but never before gone solely for bird photography. I knew a good spot in the reserve for morning photography of nest-building weavers. Here, two less common species (for Pretoria) actively breed and nest during spring and summer, with nest-building starting in late winter. 

Female Southern Masked-Weaver. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/800s, F/5.6, ISO-250.

Click on image to view larger version. 

        So I found myself at the reserve at roughly 07h00 and slowly started towards the weaver colony before the sun had started to peek over the Bronberg range. Nevertheless, with the Nikon D800’s great low-light performance I kept my eyes and fingers ready for any nice photo-ops. About a hundred metres from the colony there is a cluster of reeds right next to the trail where Southern Red Bishops are always active during early summer. Here I got one decent photo of a common Southern Masked-Weaver female in very early sunlight. Even though bird-photography on-foot is arguably not ideal, the birds in the reserve are relatively trusting of people walking by – especially where trails pass closely by natural bird hotspots. 
        When I reached the weaver nests I didn’t spent time looking for the best spot, but went with memory and settled in a spot close to newly weaved nests that were desirably located. I noticed the birds were slightly agitated by my presence, so I got out a very high-tech piece of camouflage - a brownish-yellow table cloth. Deciding to give the birds time to accept my presence, I waited and checked my settings, making initial adjustments to exposure after some test shots. The first species that I noticed and which gave me some nice displays was the Cape Weaver – which has a lot of attitude. After the first territorial displays at a nest, the other weavers started to ignore me and thinking (on some instinctual level) of preserving good chances of procreating. It turned out that two Cape Weavers had nests within good photo-range and –angle and these two were constantly in battle through song and display. After some time one or two Village Weavers also mounted the stage. These seemed to have started their nests later than the larger Cape Weavers and were not only bullied by the latter, but sometimes robbed of weaving material. During all the above I was often at a loss to decide between settings for flight and others more suited for perched birds. Both these extremes, and some in-between, produced nice photos, though I obviously missed many shots. 

Male Cape Weaver. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/3200s, F/5.6, ISO-720.

Click on image to view larger version.

Village Weaver, male. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/3200s, F/6.3, ISO-900.

Click on image to view larger version. 

        At about 08h30, shortly before the light started to get slightly harsh, I was electrified with excitement as a Black-shouldered Kite (probably the resident kite that I had seen many times prior) flew in behind the weaver’s willow trees and landed a short stone’s throw away from me. It seemed to not have noticed me and was initially slightly hidden behind a willow. Wearing the table-cloth as a hood/cape slowly and trying to keep my posture more like that of a four-legged creature I slowly moved towards the raptor (luckily no-one was about to see all of this!). As I neared it was looking away from me and just before getting out from behind the last small tree that lay between us I made my final adjustments to settings – expecting it to take flight once it had seen me. It was probably only one or two seconds after having my focus points on it that it jumped into flight – my heart speeding elatedly as I clicked away. Its flight path had been quite desirable and I quickly looked at my play-back, and smiled.

Black-shouldered Kite just after having taken flight. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2500s, F/7.1, ISO-400.

Click on image to view larger version. 

        I stayed close to the spot where I had photographed the kite, focusing on other weaver nests. There were a few nice opportunities at the new nests and then the Kite came back – choosing roughly the same perch! I missed it coming in and the perched and second take-off photos all came out with too many undesirable elements (mainly twigs and branches being inconsiderate :P). Nevertheless, I might have found a favourite perch and will be aiming for the spot when I can go again.

        All-in-all, for all the bird-watching that I have done at Fearie Glen, the reserve surprised me with its photographic potential. If you look for the seasonal hotspots, are willing to put some effort into optimizing your chances at good photos and are mindful not to take your camera gear into remote sections of the reserve where mugging might be a potential occurrence, then this popular municipal reserve can be a great patch for bird photography.

Male Village Weaver in flight. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/3200s, F/6.3, ISO-1250.

Click on image to view larger version.

General Info:

         For those of you who are not familiar with Fearie Glen Nature Reserve here is some basic info. As its name suggests this Pretoria municipal nature reserve lies in the suburb of Fearie Glen. It is spread along a section of the Moreleta River and includes portions of the Bronberg range of quartzitic hills. The reserve covers and area of 128 ha and has an extensive network of hiking trails. It can be regarded as reasonably safe. Criminal elements have from time-to-time been flushed out of the reserve by police, and at most times a good number of hikers are about. I would however not recommend that women hike through the remote portions of the reserve alone and neither would I recommend taking valuables into these sections if you are not part of a group. Nevertheless, over the past few years the reserve has probably been safer than most undeveloped places in Pretoria. Entrance to the reserve is dirt cheap (R5 per adult at the time of writing) and there is a large guarded parking area at the reserve entrance. At the entrance/office there are toilets and a drinks-and-snacks vending machine. Dogs on leashes are allowed inside the reserve (watch your step – Pretoria residents tend not to remove their dogs’ landmines from parks and trails), but apart from these the only facilities are the hiking trails, benches and a wooden platform along the river that is wrongly called a bird-hide. Gate times are from 6AM to 6PM. The amount of visitors that the reserve gets on a daily basis is a witness to its natural beauty that stands in the midst of our capital city’s eastern suburbs.

Wildlife:

        Fearie Glen Nature Reserve probably has most to offer bird watchers in terms of wildlife. It has a nice variety of typical resident species which is augmented through the seasons by nomadic and migratory species. Some of the common species in the reserve that I am quite found of are Red-throated Wryneck, Rock Martin, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler, Red-headed Finch, Cape Grassbird and African Black Duck. Look out for Giant Kingfisher and Black-shouldered Kite. In summer a host of weavers and allied species put on their summer displays, including White-winged and Red-collared widowbirds, Thick-billed Weaver and Southern Red Bishops. Smaller seedeaters abound – Yellow-fronted, Streaky-headed, and Black-throated canaries, Common Waxbill, Jameson’s Firefinch (uncommon) and Cut-throat Finch to name a few. When up on the hills keep your eyes open for Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (nomadic), Striped Pipit, Dark-capped Yellow-Warbler (summer), Amur Falcon (summer) and Fairy Flycatcher (winter). Other species that might be encountered in the reserve are Common Scimitarbill (uncommon), Spotted Eagle-Owl (not uncommon), Verreaux’s Eagle (uncommon), Brown-backed Honeybird and Lesser Honeyguide (common).  

       The reserve's once-abundant larger mammals, or rather small game, have at times suffered poaching, nevertheless interesting species persist under the radar. Rock hyrax are common on the highest hills, Vleirats occur in along the river, Bushpig have been encountered and Small spotted genet, Porcupine and Hedgehog are present, to name a few. I believe that Caracal are present in the reserve, as they are often seen on the nearby and quite developed CSIR kopje. Plans are currently in place to re-introduce some small game into the reserve. This will hopefully make the reserve’s ecosystem more balanced.  

Cape Weaver male displaying near its new nests. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2000s, F/5.6, ISO-500. 

 Click on photo to view larger version.

ROODEPLAAT DAM NATURE RESERVE, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA

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Article by Denni Raubenheimer; photos by Denni and Yolande Raubenheimer.

White-winged Tern. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII.

Click on photo to view larger version.

        Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve is a very nice reserve for those staying in Pretoria. It is close enough for short visits from anywhere in Pretoria, it is very affordable to visit, it offers a variety of possible activities and decent facilities, plus when you’re there you feel like you are (and are) away from the city. For those staying further away from the reserve, it is most worth visiting from a bird watching perspective, but still worth visiting for bird photographers and those that wish for a day-visit to a reserve where you can explore on foot. Although the reserve can be interpreted as having three sections, the true nature reserve is the southern section of the three.

        This article focuses on the southern section, where game, such as large antelope, is managed, and from which angling is not allowed. Hereafter, where referring to the reserve, it should be interpreted as referring to the southern section.

General info:

        The reserve lies along the southern shore of the Roodeplaat Dam and was proclaimed in 1977¹. The reserve covers an area of roughly 795 ha and is dominated by open acacia woodland, although portions of broad-leaved woodland do occur. A variety of antelope are common in the reserve. Jackals abound and small predators like Caracal and genet (possibly both Large-spotted and Small-spotted) are present. Due to an absence of dangerous game, hiking is allowed. A marked hiking trail of 7 km circles through the south-western portion of the reserve. The network of paved and gravel roads also make the reserve attractive to mountain bikers (which are allowed). Facilities include a well-planned picnic- and braai area, four bird-hides and ablutions at all the afore-mentioned, large conference facilities and self-catering accommodation ranging from chalets to a guest house which can accommodate up to 8 people. A large portion of the road network is paved and gravel roads can take you into the more remote portions of the reserve. Of the four hides, three are easily accessed by sedan vehicle. Only one of the hides is not situated on the banks of the dam and is thus productive not only for bird-watching, but also for game (when water is present). Entrance fee into the reserve is only R10 per adult and R10 per vehicle. Gate times are from 06h00 to 18h00.

        Directions: From Pretoria CBD get on N1-north and take Zambezi offramp. Turn right in Zambezi and keep straight. After crossing the intersection between the R513 (Zambezi) and the R573 keep straight for roughly 5 km and turn left on tarred road. After a further 3.7 km turn left on gravel road leading to reserve entrance.

Bird watching:

        Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve boast an impressive array of bird species. Over 250 species have been identified in the reserve and data from the South African Bird Atlas Project 2 suggests that the true number is possibly nearer to 300 than 250. This speculation of mine is based on the 9 by 8 km atlas grid in which the reserve occurs. More than 240 minimum two-hour atlas lists and a handful of shorter lists have been compiled for this grid over the past six years – and the total amount of species identified in the grid is 300! To have a look at the bird atlas project’s species list for the grid go to: http://sabap2.adu.org.za/summary_pentad.php?pentad=2535_2820. Personally, I have identified more than 120 bird species in the reserve after roughly 35 visits, not all of which included focused bird watching. I also have to add that if I had been a more experienced birder, this total would be higher.

        Bird watching at Roodeplaat can be rewarding throughout the year, but early summer is by far best. The reserve is quite good for raptors and waterbirds. African Fish-Eagles are resident and African Harrier-Hawk and European Honey-Buzzard (summer) are not uncommon. Noteworthy waterbirds to look out for are Great Crested Grebe, Goliath (uncommon), Purple (common), and Black (common at eastern-most hide) herons, Great and Yellow-billed (uncommon) egrets and White-winged Tern. In summer it seems that migrant bird species find Roodeplaat an attractive foraging/breeding grounds. Cuckoos and swallows are well represented. Atlas data suggests that at least eight cuckoo species visit the reserve in summer. Kingfishers are also well represented: Pied, Giant, Malachite, Brown-headed, Striped (inferred from atlas data), Half-collared (likewise inferred), Woodland  and Grey-headed. That’s 8 out of ten SA species, and chances are that the migratory African Pygmy-Kingfisher has just been unnoticed by atlasers.

        Also worth mentioning for bird-watchers making day-lists, or atlas-lists, is the bridge that lies north-east from the turn-off to the reserve on the main road leading past the reserve entrance. A day-list can always be augmented by birdwatching from the bridge (do not stop your vehicle on the bridge-section of the road).

Squacco Heron. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2000s, F/7.1, ISO-640.

Seekoeigat hide. Click on photo to view larger version.

Photography:

        I would not say that Roodeplaat has as much to offer the wildlife photographer as the relatively nearby Rietvlei Nature Reserve, but for bird photographers it is well worth visiting and a given day at Roodeplaat might turn out more productive than another at Rietvlei. However, the four hides combined with the fact that you are allowed to leave your vehicle make Roodeplaat a very attractive affordable bird photography destination for those in and around Pretoria.

        In the light of my experience, I prefer spending time at the Seekoeigat hide . There is often a steady flow of White-breasted Cormorants flying past the hide as it looks out at a heronry (if that’s the right word) where cormorants and Sacred Ibis breed. Cormorants aren’t the only birds often flying by – various waterbirds fly-by and if you keep you’re eyes open interesting species will pass within photo-range. Action photos are not the only possibilities, with swimming species often close to the hide and shoreline- and trees abutting the hide on opposite sides. 

White-breasted Cormorant. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2500s, F/7.1.

Seekoeigat hide. Click on photo to view larger version.

        The second-best photo-hide in my opinion is the eastern-most hide (which sedan vehicles can reach with due caution). To reach this hide turn in towards the office buildings and follow the gravel road past these, keeping more-or-less straight for about 1 km. Interesting species are often present around this hide (though often teasingly distant) like Black and Purple heron, Little Egret, African Jacana, Black Crake and Giant-, Pied- and Malachite kingfishers to name a few. Photographers from time-to-time put up perches close to this hide with either morning, or afternoon light in mind. These are often utilized by Pied Kingfisher and White-throated Swallow (summer). I’m sure a few lucky photographers have gotten very nice Malachite photos on these. Finally, opportunities to photograph game are not uncommon at this hide.

        The other two hides can also be good and I always try and quickly stop at the hide on the paved loop-road that lies away from the dam, which is productive for thirsty mammals, especially near sunset.   

        Photography from one’s vehicle can also be productive. The antelope species in the reserve can be quite confiding and the large number of Black-backed Jackal can offer nice photo opportunities. Furthermore, keep cameras ready near sunset and sunrise (at certain times of the year entry- and exit- times overlap with dawn and dusk) as you never know whether a caracal, or some similar night-time predator, might be encountered. 

Baby Banded mongoose. Olympus E-620. 1/640s, F/5.6.

 Click on photo to view larger version.

Final thoughts:

        Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve will continue to draw me and my wife back for more visits. Cameras will go along and binoculars too. We might sometimes leave the cameras when visiting the reserve with friends – probably then doing some hiking and spending time at the picnic area. When the need grabs me to get out and do some serious bird-watching, Roodeplaat is usually one of the options in my mind.

        I would strongly recommend visiting Roodeplaat Nature Reserve to any nature lover in and around Pretoria that has never been there before. 

Pied Kingfisher. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/2000s, F/7.1.

Seekoeigat hide. Click on photo to view larger version.

*** Due to an external hard drive presently not functioning I was unable to post a wider spectrum of photographs. I will be updating this post with mammal photos and pictures of some of the hides.

References:
1)  Roodeplaat Nature Reserve - An Unofficial Guide. www.roodeplaat-reserve.co.za.
I also liberally used the general information brochure for the reserve, which was produced by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment.  

Peregrin Falcon Delight at Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Article and photographs by Denni Raubenheimer

          Yolande and I have recommitted ourselves to posting on a regular basis on our blogs. I have a few articles in the back of my mind, but a recent visit to Rietvlei Nature Reserve (Gauteng, South Africa) has provided me with a good subject for a quick post to start the wheel into motion again.

Rietvlei Nature Reserve has given me and my wife many rewarding hours of bird watching, game viewing and wildlife photography. Recently, we have been visiting the reserve primarily for photography and when you visit a decent patch again and again you are sure to encounter great photographic opportunities.

          On the visit of interest we were a party of three photographers with two cameras and one baby to juggle (when she is older Yolande and I will be able to shoot simultaneously again:)). It was nearing late afternoon when, after having briefly stopped at Otter bridge (which is quite a productive spot for waterbirds), we headed up the road towards the reserve restaurant. At the crossing nearest to Otter bridge I spotted a raptor in a dead Bluegum tree. It was relatively high up, but it didn't look like a common species for the reserve – at least for winter months. I snapped an ID photo and re-positioned the vehicle so that the sun was roughly behind us and that my father-in-law would also be able to photograph the bird through his window. Luckily, baby was sleeping and Yolande was feeling patient :). I only realized later that it was a Peregrin Falcon – a species that I did not expect in the grassland dominated reserve. After re-positioning the car, I immediately started hoping to catch it taking flight. I was encouraged that the raptor was facing towards us and that it was facing into the wind – this meant that if it took flight its flight path would probably be roughly towards us. The waiting then began.

          I choose my camera settings for the hoped-for flight. Because the falcon was quite distant for my fixed 420 mm focal length I didn’t want my shutter speed (and thus ISO-) too high, as I would be cropping the photos. A 1/2000 s and a F7.1 (at which the D800 still has 9 cross phase detect focus points active) gave me acceptable ISOs with ISO on AUTO and using manual mode. I also wanted multiple (but not all) focus points activated in combo with Continuous Auto Focus for when the falcon would be flying. 

Peregrin Falcon testing the wind. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/1600s, F/7.1, ISO-560.

Click on images to view larger versions.

          Then the nagging question came up – what about nice portrait-type photos while the bird was still perched? The chosen settings would not give optimal photos of this type, and I didn’t even know if the raptor would take flight in the time frame I had available to wait. I made minor adjustments that would produce better perched-photos, but not too great changes to not be able to quickly switch back. So I dialled the shutter speed down to 1/1600 (only one notch as I didn’t have firm support for the camera) and changed to a single activated focus point, still keeping the camera on C-AF. At least that’s how I remember it, but then the falcon gave a pre-flight wing stretch/flap, as if to test the wind and (I’m sure I did then make some sort of adjustment) then it jumped into flight. Luckily, I was then aiming through my view-finder and shooting away, frantically trying to keep the raptor in the centre of my frame.

In the end I’m very satisfied with how the three posted photos came out. Most of the other photos were sufficiently sharp, but didn’t have all the elements, like bodily position etc., just right. The metadata shows that I had not switched the SS back to 1/2000 s and also not the focus points to 21 activated points, but nevertheless the in-flight photos came out nicely for me – the wing tips just not being frozen on 1/1600 s. 

Peregrin Falcon taking flight. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/1600s, F/7.1, ISO-500.

Peregrin Falcon in flight. Nikon D800, Nikkor 300mm F/4D, TC-14EII. 1/1600s, F/7.1, ISO-500.

          After identifying the raptor I was quite interested to see how often the species has been reported in recent atlas lists for Rietvlei Nature Reserve. I found this info on the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2's website (sabap2.adu.org.za). With the grid sizes used for this atlas project the reserve covers the majority of a certain grid. It is then a fair assumption that most of the lists were made inside the reserve. For all of roughly 400 minimum two-hour bird atlas lists that were made for the grid over the past 6 or so years, the species has only been listed 6 times (and that by enthusiastic bird identifiers). What this means for me is that I was blessed with a very rare photo opportunity for where I found myself and with the Peregrin being the fastest flying bird in the world (up to about 400 km/hour at maximum speed!) I am very chuffed with having caught this species nicely in flight :)