Nature and Travel Photo Specialists

Quality Images and Digital Photo Safaris

 

African Wild Dog Image: Art Imitating Art

Posted Fri, 11/27/2009 - 00:57 by David Cardinal

While not part of the famous "big 5" of African mammals, pound for pound African Wild Dogs (also called African Painted Wolves) are some of the most exciting animals you can still see in the wild. Highly social the packs can provide hours of entertainment for those lucky enough to find some of the very endangered animals...


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Why White Rhinos Aren't White

Posted Fri, 11/06/2009 - 00:34 by David Cardinal

Zambian White RhinosZambian White RhinosRhinos have been nearly hunted to extinction for their horns, but are being re-introduced into much of their original range, although all remaining Rhino species are still listed as endangered. We were lucky enough to see and photograph four of the five white rhinos in Zambia today (two of them are pictured here). Which of course begs the question, why aren't they white?

Bullfrog Violence: New Pictures in Old Places

Posted Tue, 11/03/2009 - 12:38 by David Cardinal

African Bullfrogs Fighting for MatesAfrican Bullfrogs Fighting for MatesAs I get ready to leave for our 2009 African safari the question I get asked most is whether I'm returning to places I've been or visiting new places. The answer as always is some of both--frequently prompting a question of why I re-visit shooting locations. In addition of course to the fun of sharing them with participants on the trip I'm reminded of the story of the accompanying photo of African Bullfrogs mating.

What will kill the Consumer D-SLR?

Posted Fri, 10/30/2009 - 14:14 by David Cardinal

Ben Gottesman wrote a fascinating post on The Death of the D-SLR this month on Gearlog. Since it has been 7 years since I wrote my "Beyond Point and Shoot" article for Ben when he was the editor of PC Magazine I thought it was timely to reflect on how far we've come and provide my perspective on Ben's thoughts about the future of the consumer D-SLR....

Deluxe African Photo Safari May, 2011

Dates: 
May 08, 2011 - May 22, 2011

Deluxe Modular Digital Photo Safari to Botswana, May, 2011

[Maximum 10 participants, 8 spots available, main trip May 8-21, extension May 21-27]

 

 

Female Leopard (Legadima) scouting for PreyOkavango Delta, May 2008 Photo Safari

I'm very excited to be going back to Southern Africa after the great
trips we've had in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and upcoming one this November. Our next scheduled trip--May, 2011--features a uniquely modular design so you can go on all or just some parts of it to accomodate your time and budget.

The Coolest Headlamp Ever? The Petzl Zipka 2 Plus

Posted Sun, 10/25/2009 - 14:59 by David Cardinal

Image of Petzl E98 PM Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp, Mystic Gray
Whether it is pre-dawn, after sunset or a nighttime project every photographer eventually finds themselves having to work with their gear in the dark. Many of us have become headlamp junkies as a result. There is no substitute for a small and convenient light source that aims where you look. But the choice of headlamp has been a tradeoff between power, long battery life, size and functionality--until now. Petzl has just released what may be the coolest headlamp ever. Read on for my full review of the Petzl Zipka 2 Plus headlamp...

Images 2010: New Cardinal Photo Calendar Available for purchase

Posted Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:28 by David Cardinal
Cardinal Photo 2010 Calendar calendar
Cardinal Photo 2010 Calendar
by davecardinal

We're pleased to announce our new 2010 photo calendar. You can purchase it online through our store on Zazzle in sizes ranging from a handy one for above the phone to a huge one suitable for the family planning wall.

Every month features a different high quality photograph from one of our photo safaris around the world, with plenty of room on each page to scribble your notes.

The Ultimate Raw File Tweaker: Colorchecker Passport

Posted Wed, 10/21/2009 - 11:44 by David Cardinal

As raw files become the common currency of high-end photographry a widening array of tools is arriving to help photographers get the most from them. I've been using SpyderCube from Datacolor/Colorvision for awhile to help set white and black points along with white balance for color critical situations. But recently I've added a new tool to my tweakers arsenal--Colorchecker Passport from X-Rite. Read on to learn about it...

Why You Should Love Netbooks

Posted Sun, 10/18/2009 - 19:19 by David Cardinal

Whether you know it or not, netbooks are having a profound effect on your computing life. Until the invention of the netbook ultra-mobility came with an ultra-hefty price tag. Stylish Sony S-Series laptops and the Macbook Air price out at $1500 and upwards. Tiny but boxy UMPC units were often over $1000. Then ASUS introduced the Eee PC...

Lowepro Pro Roller X200: The Most Versatile Camera Bag Ever?

Posted Tue, 09/29/2009 - 09:48 by David Cardinal

As a travel and wildlife photographer I find myself on all different sizes of planes with a wide variety of gear. I’ve always enjoyed working with Lowepro rollers for trips where I needed the convenience of a wheeled bag, but have been blown away by the versatility of the new Lowepro Pro Roller X200.

Go back in time at Somewhere in Time in the Texas Hill Country

Posted Thu, 06/25/2009 - 10:50 by David Cardinal

My daughter Annie and I just enjoyed a truly wonderful weekend at the Somewhere in Time Guest House which is part of the unique Block Creek Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country...  

South Texas Bird Safari Trip Report & 2010 Announcement

Posted Fri, 05/01/2009 - 15:48 by David Cardinal

Every bird photographer knows how difficult it is to photograph woodland birds--especially the colorful ones like warblers and buntings. And for those with either too little mobility or too much sense to race around the woods with a tripod it is usually impossible.

Varied BuntingVaried Bunting

Varied Bunting from our 2009 Rio Grande Valley Bird Photo Safari
Nikon D300, 200-400mm lens