Zambian Heat
Punishing heat in North Luangwa.
We measured 58 degrees C in the sun, but as this would be a world record I suspect we were wrong.
Very, very hot.
The landscape was scorched, the Mwaleshi river evaporating more each day and all electronic gear was left struggling at these temperatures.
Whist the Red Epic soldiered on, the fans would run noticeably higher. DSLR's shut down, monitor fans were screaming, a hard disk recorder and a laptop shut down. The best approach in these conditions is shooting dawn and dusk in the low flaring warm light. And then hiding from the harsh relentless overhead heat of the day. Sun umbrellas are your only defence at midday.
A distinctive hard light burnt throughout the shoot, as the water sources became dramatic battle grounds for survival.
The performance of the Selex Merlin TI thermal camera at night was impressive, this utilised by our two Natural History teams. The only one of its type in the world, it looks like a prototype, but delivers breathtaking monochromatic night scenes. Heat patterns and fine textures were made apparent in trees, grass, water and sky. The detail and subtlety of its thermal image are unlike any I have seen. Its not destined for any sync-shooting though as the fans raged audibly in order to cool its sensor to sub zero operating temperatures.