Photo Details: Sunset in Botswana's Okavango Delta, the scene dominated by two tall Fan palms (Hyphaene petersiana) that are so typical of the area.
Camera: Canon EOS 400D; Lens: Canon EOS 70-300 IS Zoom; Focal Length: 95mm; Shutter speed: 1/800; Aperture: f5; ISO: 200.

Additional Info: Fan palms (also known as llala or ilala palms) are not only a visually striking component of the Okavango, they also play an immensely important role in the sustenance of the Delta's inhabitants, both animals and humans. These majestic trees grow up to 20m high with a bare stem that often shows a slight swelling in the middle of the trunk. As the name "Fan palm" suggests, the leaves are fan-shaped. This is the main distinguishing feature when compared with the only other palm species in the Delta, the Wild date palm (Phoenix reclinata), which has feather-shaped leaves.

Photo Details: Young male lion (Panthera leo) looking like many of those who, on the first day of 2008, will be sleeping off a night of revelry, Okavango Delta, Botswana. Whether you feel like our featured young lion or not - here's wishing you all a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2008.
Camera: Canon EOS 400D; Lens: Canon 70-300 IS Zoom; Focal Length: 230mm; Shutter speed: 1/250; Aperture: f5.6; ISO: 200.