December 2014 Masterclass Finalists

Winner: Time to go Home. Image by Cathy Withers-Clarke Whilst on an afternoon meander through Addo Elephant National Park in July, we were very lucky to be caught in the Addo version of rush hour ! It was a special moment for us to be following this little family as it meandered down the road together at the end of the day.

Seal(l) Food. Image by Daniel Kotze This photo was taken at South Africa’s Marion Island (part of the Prince Edward Islands) in the southern Indian Ocean. I am a killer whale researcher on the island and was waiting for killer whales when this Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) suddenly surfaced with a freshly caught Octopus magnificus. I was extremely fortunate to capture this rare moment, seeing that cephalopods contribute negligibly to this seal species’ diet and that this predator prey interaction has only been recorded twice before. The octopus was vigorously shaken to tear off bite size meals.

Golden Sunset. Image by Alfred Thorpe My Golden Retriever and I went paddling in False Bay on a beautiful spring day. Fortunately I had my phone with me and managed to capture how my goldie enjoyed the golden sunset.

Morning Squabble. Image by David Morris. Two Malachite Sunbirds, Male and female squabble over a Pin Cushion Protea Bush.

Puff Adder under Attack. Image by Hennie Lacock While on a came drive in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, we stopped for a lunch break at the Dikbaardskolk Picnic Spot where we came upon the drama of a Yellow Mongoose relentlessly teasing a Puff Adder. I grabbed my camera and started to shoot the action when I got the perfect shot of one of the Puff Adder’s strikes at the Yellow Mongoose!

Blues Band Bonding. Image by Joubert Loots This picture was shot candidly at a friends wedding. I managed to capture an expressive moment of the lead singer grabbing the guitarist around the neck as she was singing full blast!

Sugar Rush! Image by Louis Heimstra Driving down the Swartberg pass in the direction of Oudshoorn, I spotted this Cape Sugarbird amongst the proteas, beautifully backlit by the early morning sun. I was watching the scene through my long lens, but not really expecting any aerial acrobatics. My finger instinctively squeezed the shutter when this beauty flew up and snatched a tiny little bug straight out of the air, quicker than the eye could see! I was so excited at getting this shot that my hands were literally shaking with excitement for the next half hour.

Image by Robyn Gwilt The Cape Dr made its presence felt – especially in Kalk Bay Harbour. I only had a macro lens with me, but managed to capture some images just as the waves hit the Harbour wall. The power of water is humbling! Canon 5D Mk iii, Canon 100mm F2.8 macro lens ISO 400, F11, 1/200 sec.

Moment of Freedom. Image by Tanya Michelle Sun setting over the Atlantic and table mountain giving you hope a walk on the beach is all you need to clear your mind from all negative thoughts and emotions… I that moment you are in control of your own life and destiny…. That moment you have total freedom.