Here's lookin at you kid

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 13, 2012497 views3 comments

I photographed this drooling Komodo Dragon on February 16, 2012. Some believe that the 57 different strains of bacteria in the saliva explain the deadly effect of a Komodo's bite. Others believe that shock and blood loss are the primary factors.

I would like to claim that this photograph of the world's largest living lizard was taken on Komodo Island in Indonesia. However, to be totally honest, it was taken at the Phoenix Zoo, which opened its outstanding "Land of the Dragons" exhibit in 2009.

Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S
1/400s f/5.6 at 420.0mm iso400 with Nikon TC14EII teleconverter
Comments and critiques greatly appreciated.

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on May 13, 2012 at 2:11 PM

I like it, Jay! The catchlight in the eye really helps the image work. The saliva dropping is a bonus

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 13, 2012 at 3:31 PM

Good frame filling portrait. The gradient BG really shows the dragon well.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 14, 2012 at 7:51 AM

Cool photo Jay! The drooling really adds in that it is characteristic for the species and indeed its presumed deadly bite. The wonderful bokeh with its lovely colors makes this a technically excellent photo. I would only suggest to rotate it a bit CW to straighten the saliva drool.

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