Photography by Randy Hanna

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, Jan 2007

Nikon D2x, 200-400VR 

NEW SAFARI DATES:  Due to popularity and advanced bookings of the previously announced 2008 safari, I am now offering photo safari trips for 2009 and 2010.  The 2009 trip departs the US on  FEB 19 and returns on Mar 3, 2009.   This trip will also feature stays at outstanding camps and lodges such as Gibbs Farm and Mountain Village Resort. For details on the 2009 trip, please consult my home page and navigate to the safari tab.  Final dates for 2010 are currently pending as will be announced as soon as logistics can be finalized.

Cheers and happy Photo’ing

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Port of Tacoma, Tacoma, WA, December 31, 2007

Nikon D300, 70-200VR f2.8, @70mm, ISO 320 f9.0 @ 1/200 sec

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Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Jan 2007

Nikon D2x, 70-200 f2.8VR @ 200mm, ISO 100, f14 @ 1/20 sec

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If you have been watching the photography forums, no doubt you are trying to do some calculations to determine how much lithium (Li) you have in each of your batteries.  Just as I was completed my numbers (just for fun and because I am an anal retentive engineer), I found a current press release from the government that really clears things up.  In summary, this release makes it very clear that any number of typical digital camera and laptop Li-ion batteries are allowed in carry-on luggage as long as they are stored in a manner that prevents shorting.  Save those battery covers!  Checked baggage can contain Li-ion batteries only if they are inserted in the device that they’re meant to power.  Below is the full release of the update:

Press Release

UPDATE:
US DOT Hazmat Safety Rule to Place Limits on Lithium Batteries Carried by Passengers Aboard Aircraft Effective January 1, 2008Passengers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning January 1, 2008, once new federal safety rules take effect.  The new regulation, designed to reduce the risk of lithium battery fires, will continue to allow lithium batteries in checked baggage if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if properly protected from short circuiting in their original packaging or by placing them in individual plastic bags or a protective travel case.   Common consumer electronics such as digital cameras, cell phones, and most notebook computers are still allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.  Moreover, any number of spare batteries for these devices will be allowed in carry-on baggage if they are properly protected from short circuiting and do not exceed 8 grams (~100 watt hours) of equivalent lithium content.  All lithium-ion cell phone and standard notebook computer batteries are below 8 grams (~100 watt hours) of equivalent lithium content.  Batteries not installed in electronic devices are not permitted in checked baggage.The rule limits passengers to not more than two large spare rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in carry-on baggage.  This applies to batteries that exceed 8 grams (~100 watt hours) of equivalent lithium content and less than 25 grams (~300 watt hours) [see attached illustration].  Batteries with more than 25 grams (~300 watt hours) are not allowed in either checked or carry-on baggage. “Doing something as simple as keeping a spare battery in its original retail packaging or a plastic zip-lock bag will prevent unintentional short-circuiting and fires,” said Krista Edwards, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.  Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite under certain conditions.  Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.   This rule aims to reduce the risk of fires involving lithium batteries in the cabin of passenger aircraft.“This rule protects the passenger,” said Lynne Osmus, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials.  “It’s one more step for safety.  It’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it.”  In addition to the new rule, PHMSA is working with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the battery, consumer electronics and airline industries, airline employee organizations, testing laboratories, and the emergency response communities to increase public awareness about battery-related risks and developments. These useful safety tips are highlighted at the public website:  http://safetravel.dot.gov.   

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Yakima River, Near Ellensburg, WA

Nikon D2x, 12-24 Nikon f4 @ 12mm, ISO 200 1/45sec @ f13 

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Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve, New Mexico

Nikon D2x, ISO 400, 17-55mm @  55mm, 1/60 sec at f5.6

A good friend of mine and fellow safari goer, Michael Tomcik, joined me for 4 days at Bosque.  To put it mildy, the weather stunk (very warm) which resulted in a significant lack of birds.  Michael and I went to Bosque to study along side of Arthur Morris to perfect the finer art of using flash to photograph birds on the fly in low light conditions.  We were treated to several killer sunrises and toward the end of the instruction, we started to get some keeper images.  On the last day of the trip, Michael and I left the pack and headed into the higher altitudes to photograph the mystical Very Large Array.  If you recall the movie Contact, with Jody Foster, you will get the idea.  Rounding the last bend at more than 8,000 feet, we were greeted to a sight that would drive any sci-fi person nuts.  As far as we could see were giant radar dishes just sitting there gathering information from space. I think they are still looking for that ‘Contact’.

Very Large Array, Outside of Soccoro, New Mexico

Nikon D2x, 200-400VR f4@ 340mm, ISO 250  f11 @1/500 sec

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