The kiss of death

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 6, 2011910 views28 comments

Cheeta killing Impala (Oops! some subjects make me blind

Thanks for correcting ... Thompson Gazelle.)
This frame happened from a fast pace sequence, which didn't allow me to go for better framing. After I came back and saw the photo on computor, then I was able to see the green fluid coming out of nose of Gazelle.
Thank you so much for your kind attention & views !
Jagdeep Rajput

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Jeffry Oonk on September 6, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Very powerful image.
Despite the fast pace, I think the framing works well.
I like the upper pow holding the impala horn and the seemingly calm expression in the impala's face.
Green snot is a bonus...
Thx for posting
Jef

Registered on February 5, 2011, 21 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on September 6, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Actually a Thompson's gazelle here, but amazing image Jagdeep. The detail is superb! Great behavioural action. WOW!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on September 6, 2011 at 12:24 PM

We don't usually see such close-ups. The eye of the cheetah really makes the shot, IMO. Nicely done.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 6, 2011 at 1:34 PM

Gruesome! Such is life... A very powerful image Jagdeep. Good processing, excellent detail and perfect DOF. My only very small nit here is that the cheetah's paw is clipped at the top edge of the frame. Is this FF as presented?

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 6, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Detail of one of natures kills is phenomal. As mentioned the one paw holding the preys horn, mucus, eye of the cheetah and even to the evidence of cheetah's claws raking the fur on the preys neck is really more than I have ever seen in a kill photo. Congratulation on what should be a vastly recognizes success.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 6, 2011 at 3:04 PM

Incredible image - the claws on the horns, the look in the cheeta's eye and the subdued look of the impala all make such a great impact. The green stuff is 'cool" from a biological standpoint, but from an aesthetic point of view I think it will make a lot of viewers queasy! I'd consider creating a PG version for general audiences.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 6, 2011 at 4:39 PM

Very dramatic image Jagdeep! The cheetah's intense pose and eye makes it pop and I love the tight framing.
I believe this is a Thompson's Gazelle, though? An Impala looks quite different

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

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on September 6, 2011 at 6:34 PM

This is an incredible shot! The cheetah's eye is so bright and you can see how he is using both his paws. I can't believe how sharp this is with all the action that must have been happening! Wow!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 7, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Thanks friends !
I do have a capture with full top paw, but it didn't have the green snot.
Vincent it is about 85% of the frame.
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on September 7, 2011 at 10:14 AM

Definitely a powerful story! If you have a hint of room up top for the paw it would be great.....but not a deal breaker by any means and just a fantastic nature image!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on September 7, 2011 at 10:27 AM

A very powerful image. Well caught. I think I would probably rather have the top of the paw than the green snot, but great to be able to have the choice!

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 7, 2011 at 1:01 PM

I don't find the clipped paw at the top to be an issue, whatsoever. The up-close feeling and low perspective rule and all detail is excellent. Superb capture!

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

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on September 7, 2011 at 11:25 PM

Great action, detail, and colors. The proximity of the eyes of the two is a cool feature. I also like how the prey is on top in this frame even though the outcome is different. Green fluid is interesting but I'd trade more paw up top.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on September 10, 2011 at 8:41 PM

Love the close crop! Really shows a lot of drama. Really like that cheetahs eye.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on September 12, 2011 at 5:05 PM

Killer Image !

Absolutely Brilliant

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 13, 2011 at 9:52 PM

Very powerful image Jagdeep! Despite the tight frame, I think it still works well with all the major components that make this create emotion are captured and captured very well. lovely details and this eyes of the Cheetah are awesome.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 16, 2011 at 11:36 AM

Congrats on the WP, Jagdeep. Stunning shot.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 16, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Very powerful image, and very graphic. . Congrats on the much deserved EP.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on September 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM

Congratulations Jagdeep, well deserved!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM

Sweet shot Jagdeep. Tough to look at, but great techs and execution. Congrats on the EP!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 16, 2011 at 1:24 PM

Congrats Jagdeep!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 16, 2011 at 1:52 PM

Stunning capture - the positions of the animals are perfect, great eye on the cheetah, and that claw wrapped around the head and the blood is very compelling.
I know it's always tempting to crop down to a close-up shot with something like this, but I'd like to see a bit more room all around, especially to appreciate that claw more.
Congrats on an exceptional EP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on September 16, 2011 at 5:32 PM

Sad, gory, intimate and grizzly view of hunter and prey. In that sense, the image is stunning, but quite disturbing to look at. Congrats on an amazing shot, Jagdeep, and for the EP.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 16, 2011 at 7:26 PM

Wow. Action clarity and proximity. Just fantastic.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 17, 2011 at 8:58 AM

Many congrats on the EP, Jagdeep! High impact image!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on September 18, 2011 at 1:02 PM

Wow! Amazing, what a moment. The clear eye of the cheetah with the killer grip is captivating... The snot...do you think the cheetah had punctured a gland in the throat and this is its fluid escaping...I just can't imagine green snot is normal...not that I would know.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 19, 2011 at 11:34 AM

Wow--super dramatic shot, Jagdeep! I think i just lost my appetite

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on September 20, 2011 at 12:27 AM

Still photography often elicits interesting feelings in the viewer. Ironically this image seems peaceful to me though cognitively I know it's a split second of time in a violent struggle. Nicely captured.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments