Started out by trying to portray how wildlife all search for food in different places,but all drink from the same water hole.I found this water hole late in the day and could have spent more than a day here.Let me know what you all think!

Wow... John Dennis, you live in an amazing world. You certainly were on topic with this one. Were you out just roaming around to shoot this? Is it ever dangerous? It looks like it could be. You are really developing as a film maker! Nice selection of music and blend of animals. I could see why you could simply camp out all day at the water hole and just shoot it all there! Well done friend!

Cato

I feel that you hade a lack of story in you film, or I didn’t get it. To many different animal and not something that pulled them together. I would like to se more about a few animal and something about them. You hade some nice shot, like to se more.

An amazing variety - but maybe Marcus is right in saying 'too many'

I wonder if we don't all make that mistake at times, we are used to seeing our own wildlife and want to show 'it all' rather than tell a story about one in particular. Boy I'd love to visit though!

Perhaps a voiceover explaining how they all used the same waterhole? Or, maybe even a title that pointed it out?

It does all tie together if you know the theme.

John: Because it peaked our interest so much, this film deserves a bit more explanation, voice over, or at least end credits regarding place and circumstances of filming. Film was beautiful, in terms of imagery and feel and subject matter is the ultimate in wild...

John, second what have been said about your entry. It seem to be a very busy waterhole with lots of action! Technically your scenes was very nice and stable to watch.

Hey John

Well this was visually stunning and SO many species and such a beautiful landscape. On seeing the name of your film I was waiting for the 'quest' I have to say. Of course getting the footage is a quest in itself, I'm sure we all know that....but I guess sort of goal at the start might have set the scene better. That said it was a good piece to simply watch, relax and watch the wonderful world go by! Some shots needed stabilisation but I guess your shooting off the back of 4x4's on a lot of this which must be tough!

Great stuff fella....what a country!

Wow you live in an amazing area indeed. Thanks for taking the time to document it. I would like to know the name of the crested bird about 11 cuts into the film.

Nice job and some VO or even text would have made it that much better. Hope to see you in the next one.

At first I thought I was looking at a zoo, but then it became apparent...these guys are real!
You don't really get the sense, watching all the African wildlife shows on TV, that all these animals live, and are accessible in the same place at the same time. You certainly conveyed that, even without a narrative. I like your composition too, it makes the land look familiar yet exotic all at once. I would like to see a film of all the small birds that inhabit this water hole. One thing, your transition with the ostriches near the end didn't seem to work right. Good job all around. Keep them coming.

John, a nice mix of shots of African wildlife, which visit a drinking spot.
The Giraffe eating from the acacia tree was a very nice shot, it’s magic how it works it’s tongue around those long thorns to eat the trees leaves, I’d like to have seen a longer shot of the Grey Crowned Crane and the Ostridge or a few different angles.

A very nice film indeed,

I'll second what others have said about it needing a small amount of narrative or text to give the location and set the scene/context but the footage itself was brilliant. Really nice shots of the giraffe! having spent some time wandering through the bush in Malawi I know that whilst many people will think that in Africa these animals are easy to come across the reality is that it can take a lot of time and patience to see these big creatures let alone see them exhibiting interesting behaviour.

Well done for this entry. The African scenery warmed me on what is a disappointingly cloudy and cold June day here in England.

Pete

Hi John,

As I'm sure you already know, you live in an amazing place.

I agree with Steve's comments about seeing this sort of stuff on TV or similar - you don't really think that it is accessible to us all.

Couple of things, you filmed the wildlife beautifully and certainly captured my interest throughout however, I would have focused on that water hole. I think that would have been a wonderful focus point to "tie" everything to. I also wouldn't have put in the plover shot or the crowned crane as they seemed to conflict with the wide angle plains type shots, which made up most of your movie.

I also would have loved to have seen you in the shot or heard from you at some stage. I think there would have been a lot of things happening that day, and I bet you wish you could share with us what happened here, and then there, etc.

I also picked up on the juddery transition towards the end which I think happens when your clips are not exactly butted up to each other on the time line (not too sure).

Great entry John - from an amazing part of the world.

John,

Wow...what world. So many different animals. I loved all the individual shots, especially the giraffe.
I already had read your comments, so I don't know if I would have got the story or not, but I still was fasinated watching it.

Only thing I noticed was that a couple of the shots were really short. Hardly had time to figure out what I was looking at.

A fine entry...thanks!

Bob

John,

I looked at your film twice. The first time I looked at it I said to myself "Man, some people just have all the luck". The second time I looked at it and I thought that those are some great shots. It looks dangerous (the lion eating). It's not like here where you can just walk around and take shots of things. Did you take your shots from the safty of a vehicle or where you hiking. I like it.

Oliver

A restful video to watch John. I simply love being outdoors viewing and filming wildlife and this makes me want to pack my bags and head for the bush!

John,

Blimey, you have some big creatures round there! Nice selection of different animals. My favourite was the bird with the cool haircut at 00:48. I see it is a Crowned Crane from Ron's post.

You have some super close-ups, and I just can't get enough of the monkeys - even if I haven't a clue what type they are!

I do agree with what others have said about the watering hole making a great central theme, but that's the way it goes with these challenges - limited time, and sometimes you don't know what you'll get until you head out with your camera. We don't have weeks, months or even years like the BBC do!

The music fitted the piece well, but the mono soundtrack spoiled it a bit for me - I would have loved to have heard that in stereo. Also, a few cuts were a bit jumpy. A voiceover or a story would've added a lot to the film too.

But, I mustn't grumble! Overall, I really enjoyed that and you packed lots of great shots of interesting animals into it. What more can we ask for?

Hi John,

I can't imagine having access to that many exotic animals. Your video boggled my mind, but in a good way. I loved watching it.

Tell me about the trees at the beginning. Are those thorns???

Having spent a fair bit of time in Africa, this footage brought back lots of great memories. I can't believe you caught so much wildlife on film in such a short time. As others noted, a narrative thread might have been helpful, but the footage on its own, coming and going around the waterhole, worked fine for me. Thanks for sharing this!


Ruth

Hi John,

You deliver stunning footage of all those exotic animals.
Even though I didn't find any story (as many has commented already), I enjoyed just watching the animals. This was FUN to watch, and I bet you had fun making it too.
The music fits your video very well.

John,

For portraying a spectrum of wildlife you nailed it down! There were many superior shots, like the lion lying in the sun, eyes squinted relaxed and nibbling away at his meal!! As with all these videos it would be really nice to see them full resolution on a plasma big screen!!!!
While it did need something to tie it all together as others have mentioned it is an awesome video!!! I acutally like films like yours where I do not have to listen (all to often) to an irratating voice of oversimplified script ment for those with no knowledge.

The composition on your establishing shot was first rate!! the closing shot seemed a tad bleached but still a nice shot.


Thank you for sharing!!!!