Angry Hippo

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 19, 2011268 views17 comments

This Hippo seemed extremely disturbed by our arrival in his territory in a small bay on Lake Kariba.I for one have never seen this sort of display before.

Taken on Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe, 29th September 2010 whilst staying at Rhino Island Safari Camp, our favourite place.

EOS 1D MkIV

500mm F4 IS hand-held from drifting boat.

F7.1, ISO 800, 1/1000

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on March 19, 2011 at 10:08 AM

I like the light and the details the larger post have to be seen. only one thing: there's a white stripe on the top left corner, maybe due to rotation and cut very easy to be cancelled.

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 19, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Lucca,

Cheers, I did not spot that, yes it was as a reult of rotation.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Andrei Malashenko on March 19, 2011 at 2:29 PM

Really nice action shot with great light and detail. Well done! Best Regards, Andrei

Registered on March 18, 2011, 13 Posts, 68 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on March 19, 2011 at 9:00 PM

What a cool action shot! Must have been really impressive to see in person

Nice details and composition. Look at them teeth!

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Johan Malmros on March 20, 2011 at 6:54 AM

It sure looks a bit upset - I hope it wasn't too small a boat ;-)
Nice detail in facial hair and dripping water and beautfil light emphasizing the impressive head.

In my very limited experience it's natural for hippos, but as compared to the rest of the face the eye looks a little bit "dull" (sorry, but I can't find any good word in english). Can something be made to bring the eye out some more, to match the rest of the face in intensity? Contrast, light? (Maybe it would not look good?)

Registered on January 6, 2011, 20 Posts, 154 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 20, 2011 at 10:57 AM

Hi Ken,

Great lighting, dramatic action and pose, nicely isolated from the background, really sharp, nicely processed - heck - what else could one ask for?? This is one where the image shines much brighter when one views the larger image! Just a great wildlife photo!

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one!

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 20, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Power galore. That is intimidating.
You did well handling the camera while drifting. Spectaular image.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 20, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Talk about making your presence know, wonderful hand held shot from a drifting boat. I like the seeing the wide open mouth and teeth, nice low perspective really adds to the image, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on March 20, 2011 at 11:46 PM

Awsome photo Ken. Lots of drama, and those teeth!!!
I'd give this guy a wide berth. Nice isolation from the bg.

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on March 21, 2011 at 12:36 AM

Cool frame, very nicely captured !
Can make a wonderful cover.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 21, 2011 at 8:08 AM

Thanks for your extremely kind comments, greatly appreciated. After this he charged the boat and I missed my shots probably panic

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM

Excellent. My eye is interested in the detail of little scuff marks on his side!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Stu Porter on March 21, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Great action shot Ken with nice BG too which is not always easy I hope your drifting boat was engine powered :) cheers, Stu

Registered on March 10, 2011, 8 Posts, 58 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 22, 2011 at 3:42 AM

Stu,

We were in what I suppose would be called a dayboat with a powerful engine, you need that on Kariba it can be quite rough. No more going on Mokoros or canoes amongst Hippos for me

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 22, 2011 at 4:36 PM

To me this is one of the best shots I've seen you post anywhere Ken...awesome action, light and drama...

if anything the water line in front of the hippo is to my eye the clearest form of "horizon" here, so maybe another rotation CCW will suffice?

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by kiran khanzode on March 23, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Ken,
This is terrific, one of the best "Hippo in water" action shot that I've seen.

Registered on February 21, 2009, 83 Posts, 428 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 24, 2011 at 2:35 AM

Kiran,

Thanks, it was a privilege to be there, I have never seen this sort of behaviour before and probably never will again, that said I will be back in his kingdom again in September.

Cheers

Ken

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments