The Beauty of Night Drives
on Jul 16, 2024The daylight safari is usually a favourite among guests and people exploring wildlife across Africa. Many of the guests I have hosted tend to put their cameras down when it gets dark. There is less to see, but there is also more to captivate and explore. It's all fun and captivating to find or do small things that are usually missed when looking for the big game. After sunset, the darkness brings in a beautiful night sky.
Do you ever gaze up at the night sky, wherever you are, mesmerised by the twinkling stars and the vastness of the universe? If so, you're not alone. Many people find solace and wonder in the beauty of the night sky. What better way to capture that beauty than by taking photos with your cell phone, or simply capturing it in your memory?
Photographing stars with a cell phone may seem daunting at first, but with a few tips and tricks, you can capture stunning images that rival professional astrophotography. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a beginner, there are several tips, including the ones we tried with our guests on night drives, especially during this time of the year when we experience very clear winter skies.
It's crucial to maintain stability when photographing stars, as even the slightest movement can lead to blurry images. Using a tripod will keep your cell phone steady and ensure sharp, focused photos. Most cell phones have manual camera settings that enable you to adjust exposure, ISO, and shutter speed. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance and capture the stars in all their glory.
To capture more detailed and vibrant images of the night sky, we experimented with long exposures. Set your cell phone to a longer exposure time (usually a few seconds to a minute) to capture the movement of the stars and create stunning star trails.
Grab your cell phone, head outside on a clear night, and start capturing the beauty of the night sky. With these tips and a little bit of patience, you'll be amazed at the stunning images you can create. Not only are the stars out there, but the little creatures like scorpions that glow in the silent night when exposed to UV light are unbelievably amazing to watch.
Scorpions have a unique ability to glow or fluoresce under ultraviolet (UV) light, a phenomenon known as biofluorescence. The glow emitted by scorpions under UV light is typically bright blue or green in colour, although the intensity and hue can vary depending on the species.
The fluorescence is thought to be caused by certain compounds in their exoskeleton, specifically beta-carboline alkaloids, which react with UV light to produce the glowing effect.
Scientists believe that the ability to fluoresce may help scorpions attract prey, deter predators, and regulate their body temperature. Some researchers have suggested that scorpions use their fluorescence to communicate with each other, although more studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
The exact mechanism behind scorpions' fluorescence is still not fully understood, and further research is needed to unravel the mysteries of this fascinating phenomenon. Experiencing this in the silent night is quite a spectacle; less light pollution makes it worth stopping to absorb the unexplainable wonders of nature.
Blog by Ronald Mutero (Selati Camp Ranger)
