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‘Proper place, proper time.’ That’s all any wildlife photographer can hope for – and such a stroke of luck occurred to Dirk Theron, who captured two unimaginable sightings two days in a row.
Whereas internet hosting a pictures tour in Etosha Nationwide Park, Namibia in 2016, Theron encountered one grumpy honey badger. Right here’s the backstory behind the collection of photographs which have gone viral since, and are nonetheless doing the rounds.
‘We spent the final week of the tour in Etosha Nationwide Park. It was our first day in Etosha and it was a completely superb welcome!,’ Theron mentioned.
‘This specific waterhole is one among my favourites due to the angle of the afternoon solar, so we made our manner there as quickly because the afternoon mild softened.
‘As it’s with wildlife pictures, you typically find yourself spending loads of time ready. We had been sitting on the waterhole for some time, with not a lot occurring and we had been really discussing going again to camp, as there was not a lot time left earlier than the gate closed. I used to be about to show the car round after I observed one thing shifting within the distance. It didn’t take me lengthy to recognise the way in which the animal moved and with nice pleasure I mentioned the phrases “honey badger!”
‘You don’t usually get to indicate folks a honey badger within the wild and few folks imagine you whenever you attempt to clarify how ferocious and harmful these guys are. Nicely, this man was about to do some present and inform for us. All of it occurred so shortly and was over in a couple of brief minutes.
‘You possibly can spend years within the wild and by no means see something like this and that’s what I like about travelling in Southern Africa. It’s like opening a fortunate packet – you by no means know what’s going to occur subsequent. Typically nothing occurs and typically extra occurs than one can course of, however what’s all the time essential, is that you just take pleasure in simply being there. Stay within the second and savour the sweetness and thriller that’s Africa.
‘Whenever you attempt to clarify honey badgers to guests and so they see an image of 1, they wrestle to imagine you. Who would imagine it for those who mentioned {that a} lion would reasonably stroll round a honey badger than confront it? Nicely, it’s true. Within the Afrikaans language, a honey badger is known as a ratel and there’s an Afrikaans saying that goes “so taai soos n ratel“, which suggests “as robust as a honey badger”, and they’re robust! These animals are short-tempered and don’t hesitate to tackle something that will get of their manner, and the kind of behaviour that was displayed right here is de facto not unusual.
‘This badger would merely cost on the gemsbok, which might mainly headbutt the badger into the bottom, take a step again, hook the badger between its horns and toss it excessive into the air. The primary time it occurred I assumed the badger was lifeless, nevertheless it simply shook itself off and charged once more… and once more. It simply stored coming till the gemsbok gave up and ran away.
‘This badger was not defending territory or a kill. They only merely don’t tolerate different animals close to them.’
Then, towards all odds…
Theron continues his story: ‘The second day we had been on the similar waterhole and I merely don’t have phrases to explain my shock and pleasure when out of the bush, the identical badger got here working alongside. I couldn’t imagine it and after I first referred to as it, my visitors laughed, pondering I used to be joking. But there he was!
‘This time, nevertheless, there was no oryx round to choose a combat with, so it went for a jackal that dared to come back too shut. Once more all of it occurred in a short time and I simply managed a couple of snaps with my digital camera earlier than the badger chased the jackal into the bush.
‘Now right here comes the half most individuals won’t imagine and I would not have photographic proof: the badger chased the jackal and, within the distance, the place I couldn’t attain with my digital camera, a couple of different jackals joined the fray. They finally moved off into the space till we may now not see them. Sadly, our time was up on this part of the park, so we by no means noticed that badger once more.’
Theron mentioned: ‘I’m completely ecstatic with the photographs I captured of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
‘The digital camera I used was my trusty Nikon D3s. Though it’s previous, I merely love this digital camera! I solely have one huge lens that I exploit with this digital camera and that may be a Tamron 150-600mm. It makes an ideal pair and is ideal for travelling when house and weight may be a problem.’
To see extra of Theron’s work, comply with him on Instagram: @dirktheron, Fb: @dirktheronphotography or on his web site www.dirktheronphotography.co.za
He may also be contacted through electronic mail on [email protected]
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