Destinations
A Look at African Wildlife With Marin Photographer Elyse Omernick
All photos by Elyse OmernickGiraffe
Kalahari Desert, South Africa
To observe a giraffe in the wild is awe-inspiring. I was lucky enough to see many of them during our stay, sometimes in herds of 30 or more. I loved watching this giraffe walk along an ancient riverbed in the fog. The scene reminded me of a foggy morning in West Marin with its golden rolling hills and oak trees.
White-Crowned Lapwing
Zambezi River, Zambia
The white-crowned lapwing is a fascinating bird, both in the way it looks and its behavior. The Nile crocodile in the Zambezi River actually lets these birds clean their teeth. It is a symbiotic relationship, as the crocodile gets its teeth cleaned, and the lapwing gets a meal out of it. I loved watching them carry about their day along the banks of this famous river.
Cheetahs
Kalahari Desert, South Africa
As much as I was hoping to get an up-close shot of a cheetah during our visit, I really appreciated watching their behaviors from afar. These cheetahs were busy enjoying a recent kill in the late afternoon, underneath the shade of a large tree.
Springbok
Kalahari Desert, South Africa
Springbok are an important part of Southern Africa’s ecosystem, as they are a food source for many predators. We found this herd grazing in a dried-out riverbed. While it is always exciting to take pictures of predator animals, I find that taking pictures of the prey animals is equally rewarding.
Hippopotamuses
Zambezi River, Zambia
To be on the Zambezi River just above Victoria Falls is a treat in and of itself, but to experience it with hippos floating in the water is mind-blowing. These giants are strictly herbivores, and while they look adorable, they are fierce guards of their territory and their families. We enjoyed them from a safe distance in our safari boat, with my handy 600 mm lens.
Secretary Bird
Kalahari Desert, South Africa
Standing up to four feet tall, these fierce creatures hunt the grasslands by foot, searching for snakes and reptiles and are even known to hunt baby cheetah and gazelles. Sadly, they are endangered due to habitat degradation and disturbance from agriculture and cattle ranches.
Elyse Omernick is a wildlife, landscape and portrait photographer based in Marin County. If you are interested in ordering prints or booking a portrait session, please visit her website.
