The subjects here are powerful, dignified and unashamedly themselves. They’re not just black specs high in the sky circling a carcass. They are the stars of the show...
White-backed vultures (Gyps Africanus) - Chobe National Park, Botswana
Most people have a broadly pessimistic view of vultures. Maybe it’s their association with death (even though they’re not the ones making the killing), or perhaps it’s the fact that they feast on carrion or simply aren’t as elegant as raptors and seabirds?
Whatever it is, one of the reasons I love this photograph so much is that it challenges people’s perceptions of vultures as merely scraggly scavengers.
The subjects here are powerful, dignified and unashamedly themselves. They’re not just black specs high in the sky circling a carcass. They are the stars of the show.
All species play a role in the ecosystem in which they evolved. Some, like vultures, are considered keystone species, meaning food webs and even entire ecosystems would collapse without them.
Their stomach acid is exceptionally corrosive, allowing them to digest carcasses infested with bacteria that would be lethal to most other animals, thus removing them from the environment.
Knowledge like this can help us change our perceptions about the natural world and begin to value all beings equally.
With that context in mind, meet the clean-up crew of Chobe National Park, Botswana: The White-backed vultures.
Beautifully lit by the morning sun, these large birds were resting and surveying their surroundings from atop the highest branch of a gnarled tree typical of the African bush.
I believe I couldn’t have picked a better perch for them or placed them in a more effective pose even if I had set this shot up in a studio. That said, it did take a fair few attempts to get all three of them lined up so perfectly in the viewfinder!
When it comes to wildlife photography, things such as patience, persistence and positioning are just as important as having a high-end setup with all the bells and whistles.
Anyone with a bit of disposable income can buy a fancy camera, but understanding things such as how natural light can work for and against you and how to use the environment to enhance composition is what separates a pro from a hobbyist.
Sometimes, it’s simply not possible to get a great angle on the subject and a composition you’re happy with while also taking advantage of natural lighting.
These weren’t the first or last vultures we saw in Chobe and throughout Africa, but they were the ones that were in exactly the right place at precisely the right time. Now, they’re ambassadors for their species.
More info: martinsean.photography
The Clean-up Crew
