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There is something fascinating about sitting with a troop of vervet monkeys. They are so playful and child like while at the same time, incredibly strong and agile. It is like watching cirque du soleil on steroids. In my previous life I worked at the primate center at UC Davis. I use to sit outside the cages for hours observing the primates. I loved it, but it left me aching a bit for the poor critters that would never know what it meant to be a wild monkey. If Charlie didn't have his heart set on seeing a lion kill I would have sat with them all day.
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Pilanesberg Game Reserve: Vervet Monkeys
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One of my favorite critters to view is the elephant. It is so completely different to see them in the wild. Elephants need to wonder around and zoo's in America just can't offer them the sort of space that they need. Add to that the fact that elephants are so intelligent and social and you begin to understand why they just don't belong in captivity. We happened upon a little family of elephants that decided to take a dip in the lake. This little baby elephant was LOVING it. he kept splashing in the water and trumpeting with excitement. Then he would dive into the water and roll over on his back and send a spout of water into the air.
ravi:
love it!!!
(03.31.10)
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Pilanesberg Game Reserve: Elephants
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A few more shots from Pilanesberg, both the black and the white rhinoceros. These are some huge critters, and we nearly drove right past them! They were right next to the road and it turns out that they can be rather sneaky...
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Pilanesberg Game Reserve: Rhinoceros
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Have you heard our story? If not, you wouldn't know why Charlie and I
have a little extra special place in our hearts for game viewing. Yes,
we love the wildlife. Yes, we enjoy being out in the bush. But the
little extra special place, that is because we met on a road trip that
had us viewing game nearly every day for about a month. For me, sitting
in the car eating biltong and dried fruit while driving at snails pace
looking for critters brings back a flood of wonderful memories.
This past weekend Charlie and I decided to go on a bit of a drive. We woke up at 4:00am, jumped in the car with our handy directions downloaded from google maps and headed in what we thought was the right direction. Hmm. As it turns out, google maps is not so great with directions in South Africa. Or rather, South Africa is not so great with sign posting roads. We ended up a bit lost. There is nothing quite like the rush of driving around Johannesburg before the sun is up through windy country roads labeled not with street names but with signs that read: 'highjacking hot spot'. Add to that the fact that gas stations in South Africa do not sell maps, and you have a recipe for an adrenaline filled morning.
After three hours and going in several circles, asking for directions every 20 minutes we managed to make it to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Here are the first of many images to come from our day in Pilanesberg. We managed to see quite a bit of game, from zebra and rhino, wildebeest, cheetah, elephant and hippo. I want to give each critter its time in the spot light. Today: Zebra
The Zebra in The Pilanesberg is called the Burchell's Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii). This species is the most common species and is doing pretty well in terms of population health. Charlie and I contemplated why they were never domesticated. I had visions of myself riding into the show ring atop my faithful striped steed. But then, on average they are about four and a half feet in height. Not exactly built for jumping. Random fact: no two Zebra's markings are exactly alike. The pattern on their coats are kind of like our finger prints.
Tomorrow: Rhino
This past weekend Charlie and I decided to go on a bit of a drive. We woke up at 4:00am, jumped in the car with our handy directions downloaded from google maps and headed in what we thought was the right direction. Hmm. As it turns out, google maps is not so great with directions in South Africa. Or rather, South Africa is not so great with sign posting roads. We ended up a bit lost. There is nothing quite like the rush of driving around Johannesburg before the sun is up through windy country roads labeled not with street names but with signs that read: 'highjacking hot spot'. Add to that the fact that gas stations in South Africa do not sell maps, and you have a recipe for an adrenaline filled morning.
After three hours and going in several circles, asking for directions every 20 minutes we managed to make it to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Here are the first of many images to come from our day in Pilanesberg. We managed to see quite a bit of game, from zebra and rhino, wildebeest, cheetah, elephant and hippo. I want to give each critter its time in the spot light. Today: Zebra
The Zebra in The Pilanesberg is called the Burchell's Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii). This species is the most common species and is doing pretty well in terms of population health. Charlie and I contemplated why they were never domesticated. I had visions of myself riding into the show ring atop my faithful striped steed. But then, on average they are about four and a half feet in height. Not exactly built for jumping. Random fact: no two Zebra's markings are exactly alike. The pattern on their coats are kind of like our finger prints.
Tomorrow: Rhino
ravi:
LOVE the photo!!! How are you doing?
(03.29.10)
Yvette:
Fantastic photos. Can't wait to see the other critters! Hope you are both well and see you soon!!!
(03.29.10)
Sara Atkins:
Thanks Yvette! That's right, we have a date with a beach in the Bahamas. I can't wait!
(03.29.10)
Sara Atkins:
Thank you! I am having a ton of fun and trying to be safe. Johannesburg is another world!
(03.29.10)
Lianna:
Amazing photos Sara!
(03.31.10)
Shelly Waldman:
Adorbable. I love this last image. The grass color really brings out hte beauty of the black and white of the zebra. What an a crazy morning that turned into a wonderful outing.
(04.07.10)
Sara Atkins:
Thanks Shelly! It did turn out pretty great, I was a little concerned to start though!
(04.19.10)
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Pilanesberg Game Reserve: Zebra
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Not every couple I meet is going to be a perfect match. I know that and I also know that while I would love to photograph everyone's wedding, if it isn't a perfect match then I need to help them find someone else to photograph their day. It sounds crazy, but it is true. On the wedding day, the bride will spend more time with me than she will spend with her new husband. This is why it is so important that we have a great relationship.
When I first met Lianna and Ethan at a little breakfast place called Stacks, I just knew they were my couple. We talked and talked. We didn't just talk about their wedding. We didn't just talk about pricing. We talked about life. Where they met, what they love to do. Their favorite places to visit together. Family. It was such a joy to spend time with them and it made me realize, yes, this is my couple. My couples turn into my friends. That is the only way that I can be sure to provide them with the best images on their wedding day. This is the only way that I can be sure to capture their memories through their eyes. The way they remember it.
Here is a little peak at Lianna and Ethan's engagement session at Santana Row in San Jose. Yes, they are dripping with awesomeness.
Thank you for an amazing session! I am so excited to celebrate your wedding with you two. You are such an amazing couple! Happy wedding planning!
When I first met Lianna and Ethan at a little breakfast place called Stacks, I just knew they were my couple. We talked and talked. We didn't just talk about their wedding. We didn't just talk about pricing. We talked about life. Where they met, what they love to do. Their favorite places to visit together. Family. It was such a joy to spend time with them and it made me realize, yes, this is my couple. My couples turn into my friends. That is the only way that I can be sure to provide them with the best images on their wedding day. This is the only way that I can be sure to capture their memories through their eyes. The way they remember it.
Here is a little peak at Lianna and Ethan's engagement session at Santana Row in San Jose. Yes, they are dripping with awesomeness.
Thank you for an amazing session! I am so excited to celebrate your wedding with you two. You are such an amazing couple! Happy wedding planning!
Lianna:
Yay! I'm so excited! You are amazing and I can't wait
(03.26.10)
DD:
Such a lovely couple. Good shoot!
(03.26.10)
Lianna:
Everyone at my house today wishes they had you as a photographer. I feel so lucky! Thanks so much!
(03.28.10)
Sara Atkins:
That is great to hear Lianna! I am the lucky one though. You two are the sort of people that I dream about having as clients. It is so nice to have found a perfect fit!
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Lianna & Ethan: Engaged
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You are an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G photographer!! These images are just incredible and you beautifully captured the playful spirit of the vervet :) xx
(04.01.10)Very enjoyable, looking at a different animal each day. Your pictures truely capture the moment.
(04.01.10)sara---priya sound she likes the giraffe as she pointed to the monkey....silly girl......looks like you are in your element!!!!
(04.01.10)Cool stuff...looks like you guys are getting the most out of your time in SA. Cant wait to see you in the Bahamas. :)
(04.01.10)Thanks Teo! The Bahama's are going to be really great, but I will be photographing a different kind of monkey all together!
(04.01.10)Nice, maybe we need to work on her wildlife classification when I get home.
(04.01.10)Thanks!! The truth is I just didn't have it in me to edit everything all in one go. This way I get to take my time!
(04.01.10)I LOVE monkeys! How cool!
(04.01.10)