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When Mom's Away
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When Mom's Away

by Max Waugh

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 29, 2011279 views12 comments
Count me as one of the folks with lots of spring grizzly bear photos, so I'll try to offer up something else instead.

This is another shot from my South Africa trip last year. We visited a recently-discovered 5 week old leopard cub at its den site over three mornings in the Mala Mala game reserve. On the second morning, the mother was away from the den, and due to Mala Mala's strict policy of not lingering when a cub's parent is absent, we had to leave. Just before we drove away, I spotted the cub peeking out at us from the den's "back door" and was able to snap a couple quick shots.

I was fortunate to have some images from the encounter published in the May issue of Africa Geographic, and surprised to find this shot occupying a small slice of real estate on the cover.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 1250
1/160th
f/4

Max

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on June 30, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Congrats on getting on the cover :toast:

For such a brief encountered, you nailed it ! Love those blue marble eyes :toast:
Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 30, 2011 at 2:16 AM
Very fortunate that his curiosity got the best of him and you were ready with the camera. Innocent blue eyes. Congratulations on the cover as well.
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on June 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Very curious n very cute !
Congrats on the cover.
Jagdeep Rajput
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Manoj Vallati on June 30, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Inquisitive eyes.. Congrats :)
Registered on February 24, 2011, 49 Posts, 148 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on June 30, 2011 at 1:59 PM
Great cuteness factor here Max and an excellent image as well. I would say congrats on a very unique sighting as well as the cover! :wink:
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 30, 2011 at 3:51 PM
What a inquisitive look, those tiny blue eyes really draw you in, good reaction to see this and get a shot, way to go.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 30, 2011 at 10:54 PM
Love the eyes! Congrats. :toast:
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on July 1, 2011 at 9:06 AM
What a catch Max, you were real privileged with this sighting and made the very most of the opportunity, very well done :^)

Although this may not have been acceptable to Africa Geographic, I would remove the pink thing on the rock just in front of the cub, as it's the only thing that I find distracting. Nothing major and no criticism of your work, just something I would do if it were mine ;^)
Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 1, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Ashley, they actually reversed the image for the cover, so that may well be acceptable to them! :rolleyes:

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 1, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Congrats on the cover shot Max. This is beyond cute! Love those little blue eyes.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Harshad Barve on July 4, 2011 at 3:43 AM
Congrats on getting on the cover :toast: :toast: :toast:
terrific shot
Registered on July 25, 2010, 39 Posts, 210 Comments
Comment posted by Esme' Fantozzi on August 13, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Too cute :toast:
Registered on July 27, 2006, 50 Posts, 300 Comments