Deon Small is a Drakensberg (South Africa) guide who is sometimes referred to as the Vulture Whisperer as he talks about his special connection with these scavengers and shares his knowledge. So if this is your thing getting hold of Deon is a top tip.
The bearded vulture or Lammergeier is most famous for its method of dropping bones from a height and once broken these vultures eat the marrow inside. The bearded vulture is one of the shyest of vultures and lives a mostly solitary existence, on remote mountains and cliff faces.
A highlight offered to bird enthusiasts is a visit to the famous Lammergeier Hide located in the Giants Castle Nature reserve. From here you can get up close and personal with bearded vulture sightings and is a particularly special opportunity for birding photographers.
The vulture hide 'feeding season' is May to September, and bookings open in the previous November. Access is by 4x4 vehicle, provided by yourself or by the reserve. Alternatively, enquire about professional guides who will take you there or accompany you.
These impressive birds are classed as endangered in South Africa and can be seen soaring overhead on clear days. Vulture restaurants, however, are no fast food events. A lot of patience and some luck come into the equation. Its quite clear though some of the best images of bearded vultures have been taken from this hide.
5 Tips for Bearded Vulture photographers:
° Go where the birds are. The best site in South Africa to photograph Bearded Vultures is at Giants Castle Nature Reserve which provides one of the most predictable places to see them. The birds are attracted by regular and respectful feeding and photographers seldom leave the area without good sightings.
° Have patience, and pick the weather conditions. Predictable behaviour patterns include that Beaded Vultures tend to come in to feed in the mornings of clear, low-wind days. They simply won’t arrive if it’s overcast, misty or blowing a gale.
° Use a camera that can capture motion. The faster and longer the lens on your camera the better the photos you will be able to take of birds. Ideally you need to be able to use a shutter speed in excess of 1/1000th/sec to get the clear, focused pictures that are so impressive. A typical kit lens with a 250mm zoom will give you surprising respectable results.
° Focus on the bird, not the scenery. Adjusting your F-stop down allows you to create an image that has your targeted bird in focus, with the background less intrusive. Because the birds are very large, if you start with an F-stop between F5 and F8 you have the best option to get the whole bird in focus – but not the distraction of the background. For a photographer, the wonderful red ring around the eyes makes the first rule of animal photography "focus on the eye" a lot easier than many other birds.
° Use familiar settings. If you are nervous about getting your camera’s manual settings wrong and prefer pre-programmed modes, use the ‘sports’ mode. Typically the birds stay at the feeding site for no more than two minutes at a time. That’s not the time to be dithering about your camera settings. You will have time while waiting for the birds to fly in. Use that to try a few different settings so that you are happy to concentrate on the birds and the composition when they arrive.
Where should you stay when visiting the lammergeier Hide?
° Game Castle Main Camp. The biggest benefit is that its right there. All accommodation is equipped for self-catering and there is also the Izimbali restaurant and bar provides guests with the option of simple catered meals
° Antbear Lodge. This has got to be my top tip. Situated near to Giants Castle Nature Reserve this accommodation establishment offers a unique sustainable eco-experience inside a luxury cave. Their farm to plate concept for meals are special and Antbear Lodge the only establishment I have ever found to even make their own cheese. This is an experience in itself,
° White Mountain Lodge. Also situated near to Giants Castle Nature reserve white mountain lodge offers very affordable self-catering accommodation.
Aerial photo/video service/inquiries: info@traveltonamibia.com
