Photo Details: Crescent moon with the planets Venus (left) and Jupiter in near perfect alignment, Mashatu Game Reserve, Tuli Block, Botswana.
Camera: Canon EOS 400D; Lens: Canon 70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM; Focal Length: 300mm; Shutter speed: 1/125; Aperture: f5.6; ISO: 400.

Additional Info: The above picture was taken on Sunday, December 1st shortly before 7pm during a break while on a game drive in Mashatu Game Reserve. The brilliant night sky in Mashatu, as in other remote places, is a reminder of the light pollution that plagues urban areas.

On this particular evening, we couldn't but notice the shiny sliver of new moon flanked by the two bright planets, Venus and Jupiter. At this stage there were no other heavenly bodies visible, making the intriguing line-up even more prominent. Evidently such an alignment of the crescent moon and the two planets (Venus and Jupiter) was a rarity and the next time something like this will occur is November, 2052.

The camera provides viewers with live video footage around the clock. During the day it's manually operated while at night it's set to pan automatically.

On our arrival around 6.30am at the hide, we were welcomed by Afke, the regular camera operator, who is from Holland but has been working at Mashatu for more than a year.

The camera itself is mounted on a tall pole above the hide and Afke is able to control this from a computer inside the hide (below).

Afke uses a mouse to move the camera horizontally and vertically and can zoom right in for close-ups of subjects as small as insects.

This, she explains, has allowed NG to keep the camera operating year-round. Initially the webcam was set up only during the very dry months when animal "traffic" was guaranteed, and then switched off in the wet seaon when animals have many alternative water sources. But with the ability to zoom in on birds, small reptiles and insects, there is enough to keep viewers fascinated even during the wet, summer months.

Not only does Afke control the camera, but she's simultaneously communicating with viewers via the WildCam Africa Forum, answering questions and helping with wildlife identification, at which she's become an expert.

Photo Details: Leopard (Panthera pardus) relaxing on branch of huge mashatu tree, Mashatu Game Reserve, Tuli Block, Botswana.
Camera: Canon EOS 400D (Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP); Lens: Canon EOS 80-200 F2.8 zoom; Focal Length: 200mm; Shutter speed: 1/200; Aperture: f5.6; ISO: 400.