The Waunakee Rotary Club was treated to images of African predators taken by Waunakee fine art photographer Rona Neri during her safari with renowned photographer Suzi Eszterhas this fall.

Rona took more than 23,000 shots on the photographers’ travel workshop to learn from Eszterhas, who was named Photographer of the Year in 2021. Rona has also won an international award for her work. Her photographs can be seen at the Waunakee Public Library. She also lends her talents to Schumacher Farm County Park.

Rona said she was fortunate for a cancelation that allowed her to reserve a spot in the Africa trip.

It was far from a vacation, however; the students woke up at 4:30 a.m. each day, had coffee by 5, and were in their vehicles no later than 5:30. During Rona’s stay, they visited private game reserves, including Mala Mala, Londolozi and Phindo, each known for their different populations of animals. Phindo has a number of different ecosystems and is known for its cheetahs.

Each day, they looked for wildlife and shot photos from about 5:30-10 a.m. and then from 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. During the break at camp in between, they shared each other’s photographs and talked about their craft.

When they arrived back at camp in the evenings, they were escorted from their vehicles to ensure their safety.

The animals got close. Rona said while dining on an open deck, a hyena walked by. The vehicles were open, too, but the animals were habituated to them. One lion came so close, had she reached down out, she could have pet it. But she said she never felt unsafe. The guides were more concerned about elephants, particularly males who can become unpredictable. Rona especially enjoyed photographing them and watching the young elephants learning how to use their trunks.

Rona enjoys photographing small animals, as well, including colorful birds and dwarf mongoose, even squirrels. She was also surprised at the variety of raptors in Africa, she said.

But of the large animals, the elephants were her favorite to watch because of their social structure and strong relationships with one another.

Rona has a solo exhibit of her work coming up at Gallery 800 UBD, 800 University Bay Dr., in Madison. Titled “One Sacred Wild,” it opens May 6 and runs through Sept. 23 with images of wildlife in Wisconsin, Africa, and other places.

 

 

Guests: Peg Jones, guest of Susan Vergeront; Rona Neri, speaker.

Visiting Rotarians: None.

 

 Other news:

-Not much at this meeting. President Ross Maurer said the club really wanted to hear from Rona.

 

Birthdays: Danny Paul, Feb. 24.

Anniversaries: None.

 

Greeters: Feb. 24, Joe Baer and Ken Ballweg; March 3, Roberta Baumann and Joe Beck; March 10, Scott Biba and Connie Blau.