Kalahari Cheetah

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 11, 2011163 views12 comments

This image was captured last year in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa. This park is a photographer's dream with open spaces, dust, little vegetation and wildlife galore. The cats are king in this park, with lions, leopards, cheetahs, caracals, African wild cats and the likes.

This lone male cheetah was stalking a steenbok at last light.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f5.6 @ 1/100 SS @ ISO-800
Flash fired

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on September 11, 2011 at 5:41 PM

Beautiful cat very well exposed.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on September 11, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Beautiful portrait. Really like the raised paw and the clean surroundings. Maybe just a little warmer to help bring out the red sand. At least I think it's red!

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

Comment posted by Sally King on September 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM

Love the tension in the pose and that the cat isn't paying any attention to the camera. The placement of the one green plant works well. Love that there are no distractions in the background or foreground. That doesn't happen very often.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on September 11, 2011 at 8:51 PM

Love the look of the cat! I also like the simplicity of the image. I might be tempted to clone the lone bush for an art print, as everything else is so stark, so it stands out to me.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on September 11, 2011 at 10:26 PM

What an incredible animal in great light. The background really compliments the subject by not competing with it. If only we could see the whole face, but this pose also tells a story. The alert stance and raised forepaw are really cool. Great shot Morkel!

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 11, 2011 at 11:03 PM

This close-up full body side view really shows off the anatomy, what a beauty. The bi-toned background is fine, but wish the dividing line was a bit lower in the frame so as to not cut the legs right at the body - were you as low as possible? Wonderful photo and subject. The park sounds like an amazing place.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 12, 2011 at 10:55 AM

Beautiful, just beautiful! I love the glint in the eye, the purposeful look, the raised paw.... just about everything!

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

Comment posted by Darren Colello on September 12, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Stunning, stunning cheetah image. Very nice pose and lovely lighting. Superb work here Morkel!!!!!!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 12, 2011 at 2:04 PM

Interesting image that to me really shows how the cheetah body is sleek and built for speed. Their coats are amazing with the all the spots and I like seeing that long tail, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 12, 2011 at 9:14 PM

Nice capture Morkel. I like the alert pose and lifted right front paw. No nits from me.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 14, 2011 at 3:07 AM

Thanks very much for the kind comments, folks...

Paul - I will certainly consider your cloning suggestion for fine art printing...however for web viewing and presentation I prefer to keep things as they were shot

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on September 15, 2011 at 8:01 PM

Hey Morkel,
Nice to see this one out in the open! I think the environs work very well here....and see vegetation mentioned and your response.....so you've got it covered!

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