Equipment: Sony a1 ii, 70-200 2.8 GM
Settings: 1/2500, f/7.1. ISO 12,800, 70mm, handheld
Post: Removed some grasses, lightened the eyes, raised the shadows and denoised
As I continue to plow through photos from my Africa trip to Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, this photo still stands as a favorite. It was taken from Pangolin Photo Safaris photography boat on the Chobe River. MJ, our fantastic tracker who tracked for Simon D'Entremont 2 weeks later, got us up close (taken at 70mm!) to a crocodile feeding frenzy. Sadly the crocs had taken down a young Hippo and there were at least 8 large crocs already on the scene. Crocs won't hesitate to kill their own kind so we witnessed some brutal fights as seen in my photo. I have quite a sequence of photos but I think this shows the power of these two animals. Pangolin featured my photo on their feed.
I removed some things to make it less chaotic (the hippo for one) and some extraneous grasses. Photos like this aren't everyone's favorites. I'd be interested in any suggestions for additional edits and whether you think it's too chaotic for competition.
9 comments posted
Sherry Icardi
Gwen - talk about action and nailing the shot despite it! One of my favorite things to do in nature photography is to show the interactions between animals and show the environment. You have certainly also achieved both. My undergraduate was intensively biology and animal behavior (from amoeba to large animals..which makes me appreciate an image showing both behavior and environment)! I've tried to get Crocs while in Kenya last time and only managed to get blah images! Well done!! Posted: 10/04/2026 19:16:41
Gwen Callas-Miller
Thanks Sherry! Yes, I have quite the interesting sequence of this battle. It was humbling to watch ageless power. Hopefully your luck will change in February. Posted: 10/04/2026 19:54:31
Sherry Icardi
The image is about the chaos without out that component I think you would lose a great deal IMHO! Posted: 10/05/2026 21:06:31
John Stumbos
Powerful image, Gwen. You have magnificently captured the brutal side of nature. Technically spot on. Don't know how you captured all that action going on at once with such sharp focus. The reflection of the thrashing croc adds another nice dimension to it. I'm also struck by the color on the underside of this beast. Deftly edited. A superb photo all in all. Nice job. Not too chaotic for a competition. What have you got to lose? Posted: 10/04/2026 23:22:03
Gwen Callas-Miller
I appreciate your clear and specific feedback, John. This moment will stay with me forever and I just want to get it right and share it at its best. Posted: 10/05/2026 02:32:15
Peter Dominowski
I have also been on the Pangolin photo boat, so I understand the circumstances behind the shot.
I love the motion of the water, the reflection of the croc, and the colors reflected in the water.
You captured the critical moment.
Can't think of anything I could suggest to improve this photo. Posted: 10/06/2026 02:51:58
Gwen Callas-Miller
Thanks, Peter. Much appreciated. Posted: 10/07/2026 01:02:01
Sarita Yeola
Gwen,
Great image. I love everything about this photo. The light, the action, the focus, the composition, the timing. Stunning! Posted: 10/08/2026 21:57:43
