Wildlife - 2nd HM

Gallery: EPA 2012Posted June 27, 20121,650 views22 comments

2nd Honorable Mention - Wildlife

Painted Wolf Alpha Male

On our recent trip to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, we spent some time with one of Africa's most endagered predators.

This is the alpha male of a pack of African Wild Dogs (also known as Cape Hunting Dogs and Painted Wolves). We (my friend and I) spent 2 afternoons on our bellies in a sandy riverbed, surrounded by the pack who were relaxing and also relaxed in our presence. This one came closer in a stalking-kind-of-way, smelled us out, checked us out, gave a growl or two, and then settled down about 7m from us, totally relaxed again and accepting of our presence. What an amazing experience...and we were the only people there...

I have so many images to process I don't even know where to start. Wait till you see the elephant images from the Ana tree forests...

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f6.3 @ 1/320 SS @ ISO-4000
Overcast sunset light
Cropped from horizontal

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on June 27, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Wow, Morkel! This is awesome! That sure sounds like an awesome experience...though I may have had a major adrenaline rush if he growled at me

. I can't wait to see your elephant pictures (I've enjoyed the ones you've shared so far)!

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 27, 2012 at 3:36 PM

I was waiting to see this here.

Killer shot! The eye contact, huge ears, semi-menacing open mouth... what's not to like?

Based on all the great photos you guys have been posting from there, I wish we were heading there this August!

Max

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on June 27, 2012 at 3:37 PM

Very cool Morkel.

Agree on the Ele's

BTW Congrats on the earth shots image

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on June 27, 2012 at 3:49 PM

This sounds like a great trip Morkel.
Cannot wait to see more images.

As for this image, striking image...love the intense look and eye contact.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on June 27, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Fantastic. Love the low angle and the offset composition. What a look he's giving you! And those ears.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 27, 2012 at 5:57 PM

Incedible face and ears - can't wait for more from this excursion...I'm very envious!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on June 27, 2012 at 10:02 PM

I can't think how this can be bettered! Love it all the way!

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on June 28, 2012 at 9:16 AM

Morkel,
I don't know if I like your photographs or the stories that them best.

Gerat capture.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on June 28, 2012 at 11:26 PM

Very cool! I'm glad it's not me he's looking/stalking!!

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 29, 2012 at 8:55 AM

Hey Morkel,

Excellent - love those ears, point of view, and the piercing eyes. Very well executed.

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 29, 2012 at 10:53 AM

Thank you very much for the kind comments, folks!

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

Comment posted by Joe James on July 3, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Stunning Morkel....simply stunning!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 4, 2012 at 12:20 PM

Nice WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by John Williams on July 4, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Stunning Morkel. Love the face-on approach and great detail.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on July 4, 2012 at 3:35 PM

A fine capture- congrats on a well deserved EP

Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on July 4, 2012 at 7:29 PM

Oh, my!! Now, THAT is a hunting dog! And I am really glad I was NOT there to be growled at in person.

OTOH, I am sorry I wasn't there for the adventure and for getting (hopefully) shots like this. Holy cow. It is so meaningful, and touching to me, that the pack could relax with you there, after getting the "okay" from the Alpha. So very dog-like. This image really captures the wildness, too, though. Look how well used his front teeth are… So happy you got the Pick for it. Congrats on that and on having a lifetime experience.
Will definitely watch for more posts!

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

Comment posted by Ruben Vicente on July 6, 2012 at 6:12 PM

What a killer look! Love the expression and the dof you've chosen to blur the background.

Registered on April 9, 2011, 4 Posts, 59 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 8, 2012 at 2:47 AM

Excellent!!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on July 18, 2012 at 7:34 PM

Great portrait.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 26, 2012 at 5:56 PM

Thanks for the very kind comments, folks...

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 5, 2013 at 1:28 PM

Morkel, congrats for the 2012 2nd Honorable Mention - Wildlife win!
A stunning portrait of this fellow!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Rick Diffley on January 8, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Congrats Morkel on having this image obtain 2nd place MH. A terrific capture with the face/eyes in great focus.

Registered on April 8, 2012, 52 Posts, 279 Comments