At this month’s club night, we enjoyed a return visit from Graham Harvey with photographs and tales from South Africa.
His ten trips to volunteer at the Kariega Game Reserve have provided the opportunity for wildlife photography, but also an increasing involvement with the local people.
Graham’s images featured a stunning array of animals, and he explained that he uses a Nikon D750, usually with a 80-400mm zoom and mostly handheld, and picks the fastest possible shutter speed to freeze their unpredictable movement.
The presentation showed not just the creatures in the reserve – including lions, elephants, hippos, zebras, primates, birds and raptors – but also the constant battle against poachers.
There were photos of de-horned and scarred Rhinos, and a note that the rare black rhinos are always closely guarded by armed rangers.
Graham also shared some of the colourful customs and costumes of the local people, but also their poverty and the Ekuphumieni Township Helping Hands Soup Kitchen that is close to his heart. On his last trip, he gifted solar panels and wiring to the school.
It was a fascinating talk and selection of images and we are grateful to Graham for an interesting and entertaining evening.
