Stalker on the Ridge

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 5, 2012242 views11 comments

I have just booked to go back to my beloved Kgalagadi for a week at the end of this month. The call of the Kalahari was too strong to ignore.

Here's an image I captured back in June 2010. I posted a closer composition a year or so ago...but actually prefer the wider scene here (http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=174470&CGISESSID=2d20ba992b42b2493772177bffdce212&u=14708)

I have a good track record with animals posing on these calcrete ridges for me against interesting skies

. This was a youngster who was en route to joining its mother and sibling, and the stalking/cautious pose was due to potential prey watching from the riverbed.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 105mm
f8.0 @ 1/1600 SS @ ISO-400
Pretty much full frame, slight crop for composition

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on November 6, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Cool image Morkel. This really shows the expanse these animals live in.
I'd like to see this image cropped to a pano style, which would put more emphasis on the big cat.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on November 6, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Cool image Morkel. This really shows the expanse these animals live in.
I'd like to see this image cropped to a pano style, which would put more emphasis on the big cat.

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

Comment posted by Sachin Rai on November 6, 2012 at 12:25 PM

Neat. Loved it. This is exactly why I love this lens. Give lot of flexibility to compose images. Well done here :)

Registered on February 29, 2012, 15 Posts, 26 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 6, 2012 at 10:51 PM

I really like this image for the simple strong composition and shocking blue sky. Nice view of the cat as well.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 6, 2012 at 11:33 PM

A very graphic image Morkel. I like the horizontal cloud textures in the sky and these are exacty why I would not go for a pano crop in this case as it would lose the top one. I do find it a pity that the rear leg/tail are obstructed by that shrub, but I know we do not live in a perfect world

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

Comment posted by Guy Runco on November 7, 2012 at 2:15 AM

Really cool shot, love the colors.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on November 7, 2012 at 4:11 PM

Hello Morkel

Love the Contrasting Blue Sky!! And the cat at the Ridge in Stride, a Sweet Image.

I looked at this as a Pano & find it Very Interesting too!!

Thanks for sharing

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on November 8, 2012 at 1:50 AM

I like this one better than the closer one you posted. I think a pano wouldn't be the best for that same reason- the clouds add a lot I think. Great shot- can't wait to see some from your next trip!
-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on November 10, 2012 at 9:53 AM

Thank you all for the kind feedback.

I have another one zoomed in closer and cropped to pano which was awarded a highly commended in the Southern African Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards last year.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 12, 2012 at 7:36 PM

I like this as posted Morkel. I especially like the pose of the Cheetah...it makes me think he is stalking and keeps me wondering what he is looking at on the other side of the frame. It really keeps my attention because of that.

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on November 13, 2012 at 8:12 PM

How come I hadn't seen this? This is a wow image, Morkel, and on my 'must capture' list!

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