Kissing Cousins - Fear and Awe
Adventure is an antidote to aging.
In my experience adventure feeds the spirit. Pushing one’s edges, doing something outside of our familiar daily routines, is like an antidote to aging.
I’m often asked, “Weren’t you scared?” when people see my images. A friend remarked recently that fear and awe are kissing cousins. Most of the time on safari I am so caught up in awe there is little room for fear. However, rest assured I follow my guide’s advice. I’m not so overwhelmed by wonder that I ignore conventional wisdom. When I’m told to stay in my tent at night, so I don’t meet a lion or hippo on the path, I stay put!
I also take my cues from the animals. I pay attention to their behaviour and monitor my own. There is little threat when wild animals are calmly going about their business and I’m still and quiet. It is a gift to be accepted into their space.
One of the challenges of wildlife photography is to convey the power of an animal without putting oneself in danger. Here’s the story behind the shot of this menacing looking crocodile.
Crocodiles look like armoured tanks with a mouthful of teeth. Out of the water they appear slow (they aren’t). In the water they are fast and lethal.
The thought of even putting a toe in croc infested waters makes me shiver. Swimming with crocodiles is not an adventure, it is suicidal!
Late in the morning on a hot day last June our guide pulled up to a sandy bank on the Mara River where two huge crocodiles lay sunning themselves. They looked sated and sleepy. One had his mouth open to cool off, exposing nasty pointed teeth designed for ripping flesh apart.
As a wildlife photographer I try to get down to the eye level of the animal I’m photographing. Being up close and low adds impact. Taking time to consider my point of view and having a good telephoto lens helps me create the effect I desire.
To my husband’s horror, I asked our guide if I could get out of the Land Cruiser to take some photographs. These sleepy crocs looked like they were in siesta mode. I wasn’t scared, I trusted my guide; his word would be final. “Go for it!” he replied.
I slowly stepped down to the ground and got low. The telephoto lens and my point of view enabled me to create a sense of a “perceived threat”. My only regret was the nearest crocodile didn’t turn to face me so I could see directly into his mouth. No way I was getting closer to try and accomplish that! I chose to keep my distance and respect my fear of those powerful jaws.
Want to join me for a healthy dose of awe and wonder next January? I have one more tent available on my January 20-31, 2024, safari – single or double occupancy. Contact me for details for the trip of a lifetime!