Attentive readers will remember that I splurged on a trip to Africa late in 2011. Here is another tidbit from that wonderful trip, taken from an elevated position on a very nice Eurocopter ("the Bentley of helicopters"). I was skeptical ahead of time because it was an expensive hour in flight, but it was absolutely worth it. It was the BBC/NatGeo cameraman's view of the delta -- quite a ride.
These two hippos were not amused by the chopper and hustled themselves out of the way. It was something to see: they just blast through the water, pure river horsepower on display. You could wakeboard behind them, if you had the cojones. Which I myself do not.
Pretty but I'm forced to wonder about the consequences of these increasing disturbances in the Delta and elsewhere. Our pilots always maintained at least 200 meter distances.
Wow, what a rush Mark! Think of the poor frog that was sittin' on the top center lily pads
that sight'd knock 5 years off yer life Powerful stuff, love to see more.
Steve Shinn wrote:
Pretty but I'm forced to wonder about the consequences of these increasing disturbances in the Delta and elsewhere. Our pilots always maintained at least 200 meter distances.
Steve -- I share the concern. This was a fairly large scene, cropped quite a bit, with a medium telephoto. But with that said, they obviously noticed the helicopter.
trenchmonkey wrote:
Wow, what a rush Mark! Think of the poor frog that was sittin' on the top center lily pads
that sight'd knock 5 years off yer life Powerful stuff, love to see more.
Thanks Will. I don't think you ever want to be in front of a hippo in a hurry, even if you are another hippo. They can spin and head in the opposite direction amazingly quickly, too.
douter wrote:
They certainly do create a wake. A different and fresh perspective. Well done Mark.
Douglas
Many thanks -- I did gain more respect for the amazing shots from the air that I tend to take for granted when I see them on television. It ain't that easy!
Think of the poor frog that was sittin' on the top center lily pads 
Powerful stuff, love to see more. 
