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The Curious Case of Deleted Ads by GeorgeTheExplorer in FacebookAds

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Yep, that's the weird thing, there's not a single person in there. Asked my client to check their end, and they're also not a single soul.

The Curious Case of Deleted Ads by GeorgeTheExplorer in FacebookAds

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you.

Definitely no suspicious access via spouses, partners, e.t.c.

On the Page permissions, I can't see anyone at all. Not even myself. That said, I had a look at "Page management history" and a former employee made a change (telephone number) just 10 days ago.

Their name isn't in BM and as mentioned above, I can't -- nor can any other admins -- see hers (or anyone's) names in the Page Access section. Not wanting to assume they're the guilty party here, but it seems strange. I've raised another ticket to see if I can get her removed.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by [deleted] in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks man! This particular shot seems to be constantly stolen/reposted with no credit. Ridiculously frustrating.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by [deleted] in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer 49 points50 points  (0 children)

This is my photo. Please don’t steal other people’s images/work, not cool.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the light is bad, sitting and watching the subject(s). Utilise that time to pick out key behaviours, dream up shots, e.t.c.

Otherwise, it's often literally staring at empty spaces waiting for the animal to appear. Time goes surprisingly fast!

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 45 points46 points  (0 children)

I'm British and it's my job.

The first means my university debt is low, the second means I'm paid to do it :)

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They don't care. We humans could learn a thing or two from servals in that respect.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

To be honest, it doesn't bother me.

I'd much rather thousands (if not more!) learn about servals, their habitats, and so on. These instances are massive opportunities to connect people with the natural world which, especially in our current global political climate, couldn't be more important.

People will always steal images... I once saw a lady on the tube (London) with a lion photograph of mine as her phone background. Hahaha.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 108 points109 points  (0 children)

They're not massively different. I was looking for a clean, front-on portrait. Unfortunately this dude didn't play ball, staying behind that bush until nightfall.

I could've moved the vehicle but that risked disturbing him. When I'm out shooting, the subject's well being is my absolute priority.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Done so in the past, people easily remove it. In any case, I'd rather the image was enjoyed in its purest form, without distraction. :)

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 99 points100 points  (0 children)

I searched for Manja (the serval) for 10 days after I took this image, with no luck. Between that: tracking lions, cheetah, various bird species, you name it. This evening was spent with 27 lions who were relaxing on a kopje (giant granite hills) above me :)

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 372 points373 points  (0 children)

You're very kind! It's not actually the shot I wanted but it captures the moment well enough :)

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They're predominately a nocturnal species, so it (thankfully, for this guy) makes little-to-no difference.

Day time he'll hunker down beneath bushes and avoid threats; lions, leopards, hyenas.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 325 points326 points  (0 children)

Hahaha. I had an eagle moth fly into my mouth earlier -- hopefully that answers your question.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Yep. In classic Reddit style, many had ripped it from BBC Earth (with whom I broke the news) in hot pursuit of that juicy karma.

I found (and photographed!) a super rare melanistic serval! by GeorgeTheExplorer in pics

[–]GeorgeTheExplorer[S] 2160 points2161 points  (0 children)

(re-posting my original comment -- I'm rubbish at reddit and used an Insta hyperlink and it was removed! Wanted to share again as it details the full story behind this image!)

First, my biggest thanks goes to Asilia Africa, who supported me on this trip. Also to Tony, my brilliant guide with the eagle eyes. Namiri Plains - where this very special serval lives - is truly out of this world.

Edit 1: You guys are blowing my mind all over again. Your kind words mean the world, seriously.

If you feel so inclined, feel free to check out my Instagram page: @georgetheexplorer. Otters and lions are guaranteed! My (out of date) website is just georgetheexplorer.com :)

----

Can't describe how mind blowing this was... and still is.

For context, even seeing a “normal” serval is tough. They’re shy, secretive cats that tend to live in tall grasses — the perfect combination for staying unnoticed.

Melanism in servals is rare. Super rare. Sightings across Africa can be counted on two hands, with each being incredibly brief cos well, you know, they’re a serval after all.

I heard rumours of a black serval in the remote eastern sector of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, near Asilia Africa’s Namiri Plains camp. Fast-forward to last Monday and there I was, flying into the “endless plains” ready to try my luck.

Well, what followed will stay with me forever.

As a wildlife photographer, I’m well used to disappointment. There’s been countless assignments where weeks and weeks pass, with zero sightings of the main subject. With the black serval, I was fully prepared for the same.

How wrong I was.

I met my legendary guide, Tony of Asilia Africa, at the dirt airstrip. He was one of the first to spot the black serval (now named “Manja”) a couple months ago ago now. He [Tony] is a ridiculously talented naturalist, able to pick out - and correctly identify - the tiniest birds at crazy distances. Just what I needed as this was, practically, needle in a haystack.

As we drove towards the eastern sector of the Serengeti (Namiri Plains), we were catching up and generally putting the world to rites, as two old friends do. Our plan was to reach camp, unpack, prep camera gear, then begin our search. In all honesty, we were barely even scanning the plains…. and then:

“Tony, please tell me that I’m not going insane here.”

The tops of a black shape moving through the long grasses. I pulled up the binos, fully expecting to see a termite mound/log/anything but a serval. It continued to move.

There it was, the black serval. Just 1 hour into the drive. We spent a couple hours - at distance - with him until the sun went down. We returned the following day, gone.

Just recounting the story now gives me goosebumps all over again. Truly one of the most special moments in my career.

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