Newsletter 51
14/02/12
Majestic, breathtaking pictures
First price: Yvette van Bommel
The results of the photo-competition at Tiger
Canyons, judged by Daryl & Sharna Balfour are out.
Daryl had this to say: "It is a fact of digital
photography that all digital images require a certain amount of post
processing whether we like it or not".
Daryl & Sharna selected the top five and then
selected 13 highly commended pictures.
First prize goes to Yvette van Bommel for this
shot of Sunderban and Shine romping in the pool in the canyon.
For me it brought back memories of one of the
greatest years of my life as we walked with Sunderban, Shine and
Zaria (the abandoned cubs) every day down the canyon.
For the first time I realized what a big part
water plays in the life of a tiger. They play, stalk, hunt and hide
kills in the water, the ultimate water cats.
Yvette's picture has captured the power, the
beauty and the fun of these magnificent creatures playing in their
element.
Congratulations Yvette, you have won the Big Cat
Safari for two.
Second prize goes to Yossi Joseph with this shot
of Shine lying in the water.
It immediately brought back memories of this
magnificent tigress who was tragically taken from us.
"Born wild
Abandoned at birth
Raised by human beings
Rare and beautiful
Stolen by greed of men
Shine 9 Jan 2009 to 15 August 2010
Congratulations Yossi, you have won a Tiger
Safari for two.
Third prize goes to Rheiner Keller with this shot
of Julie charging through the water.
Julie, Tiger Bomb (Tibo), Mahindra and Indira
were all in the water hole looking for the remains of a warthog. The
cubs watched as Julie used her feet to feel for the carcass. Then
the cubs imitated her, feeling in the mud for the warthog.
Suddenly, tired of the game, Julie turned
straight towards the jeep and charged playfully out of the water.
Rheiner's picture captures the power and beauty
of the tigress at full charge through the water.
Congratulations Rheiner, you have won one night
for 2 people at Tiger Canyons.
Peter Finlayson's "Triangle of Love" brought back
memories of when James Boon, cameraman, Daryl Balfour photographer
and I, followed Julie during the last 4 days of her pregnancy. We
were desperately hoping to photograph and film the birth of the
cubs.
On the afternoon of the 107th day of the
pregnancy, a huge electrical storm descended over Tiger Canyons,
forcing us to abandon the attempt.
Early the next morning, we found Julie suckling
four normal and one white cub. It was a magical moment, to say the
least.
Four of the cubs have survived and have turned
into magnificent tigers. Julie has proved to be an exceptional
mother and brought us much new knowledge of the denning methods of
tigresses.
Bridgena Barnard's picture of Tiger Bomb (Tibo)
captures the haunting blue eyes of this magnificent creature.
I see her everyday and everyday her beauty takes
my breath away. Tigress Tibo is at present dispersing and we will
shortly start a research project and a film on what are the
disadvantages of a white tigress while hunting. We can now make a
comparison between the hunting success of a normal tiger versus a
white tiger.
Later this year, we will have another
competition. You will be asked to submit one picture of a tiger, a
lion, a leopard and a cheetah. Each picture will score points and
the points will be added. Whoever has the most points is the winner.
More details later.
To all who entered the competition thank you! To
the judges thank you and to the winners congratulations.
All pictures are on the Tiger Canyons website.
It makes me extremely proud that what was once a
sheep farm, is now a home to free ranging tigers. Against this
magnificent backdrop, your photographic talent has produced these
world class images which will travel across the
world. Congratulations!
Until the next time, tread lightly on the earth.
JV
A couple
needed to help JV with the tiger project.
Preferably steeped in the Londolozi culture.
Between them guiding, FGASA certificate,
photographic, filming, catering and IT skills necessary.
