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Hunting Dog Profile
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Hunting Dog Profile

by Morkel Erasmus

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 6, 2012141 views5 comments
Another image from our awesome sessions with the African Wild Dogs in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe (I prefer the newer names of Cape Hunting Dog and African Painted Wolf to this name which has caused this wonderful and threatened species to be considered feral pests in the past). :eek:

Spending time with them on foot (on my belly in this case) was a humbling experience. Focus distance here is about 16m. I don't recommend doing these kinds of things without experienced, qualified guides around. Besides my knowledge of the African bush, I had a friend with me who has the highest guiding qualification in Southern Africa.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f6.3 @ 1/320 SS @ ISO-3600
Full frame with very slight crop for positioning

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 6, 2012 at 8:27 PM
Marveous fur pattern.. a very impressive animal. I like the name "Painted wolf" - fits perfectly.
How big are these fellows?
Thanks for sharing these types of images, that most of us will never see for ourselves.

Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on July 7, 2012 at 9:06 AM
Great capture and POV.
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Wolfe on July 7, 2012 at 8:04 PM
Wow, great photo. I really like the look of concentration on his face you caught.
Registered on April 7, 2012, 42 Posts, 103 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 8, 2012 at 4:46 AM
The super low angle are what make this other wise straight forward shot stand out and thus is an excellent example of the effect a low POV can have! Nice work Morkel.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 11, 2012 at 5:17 PM
Thanks a lot folks! :smile:

Sandy - they're not too big, comparable to a small German Shepherd if they get really bulky :razz:
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments