Hungry Lion

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 6, 2013261 views9 comments

During our December visit to the Kgalagadi National Park in South Africa we came upon a small pride of lions consisting of 2 adult females, 2 sub adults and one juvenile. Here one of the sub adults is chasing after a Cape Turtle Dove. She tried a number of times, but without success. Thank you for looking and commenting. The sun wasn't up fully yet hence the subdued colours. I like the focus in the lioness eyes. I would have preferred the Turtle doves to be fully in focus, but that was never going to happen with shallow dof of the 600mm. I would have had to sacrifice too much shutter speed if I closed down the aperture.

Model: NIKON D4
Lens (mm): 600
ISO: 800
Aperture: 8
Shutter: 1/1600
Exp. Comp.: -0.7
Program: Aperture Priority

Neal Cooper
www.cnpsafaris.com

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on April 6, 2013 at 6:27 AM

Nice shot Neal. I agree, the eyes draw you right in.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on April 6, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Great body language n beautiful action!
The image may benefit from some boost in the contrast, plus darkening the overall tones.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on April 6, 2013 at 5:10 PM

Very nice dynamic image, I like face expression very much. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 7, 2013 at 1:35 AM

Good demonstration of the autofocus capabilities of D4, the face is tack sharp, I can count the whiskers! The larger view is outstanding, very dynamic running posture captured extremely well. I don't mind the doves being somewhat oof, they are secondary to the main subject. I might suggest just a little more room on the right side though; which would in turn require a bit more room at the bottom for balance.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 7, 2013 at 3:11 AM

It is not easy to photograph a lion in action as they are generally not that active, so pulling off a shot of an approaching lion at full speed chasing prey is a real accomplishment.

Personally I would warm it up a little and add some mid-tone contrast perhaps.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 7, 2013 at 5:21 AM

Awesome Catch Neal

I love the bright eyed concentrated look on the young lion's face (kind of looks like it may have thinking about changing directions)

Very Dramatic Image!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on April 7, 2013 at 11:11 AM

Wonderful action. Love the slant of the body as she swerves to her left. The sharpness is superb. The oof doves do not distract at all. Agree about warming it a bit and adding contrast.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 7, 2013 at 6:12 PM

Really sharp where it needs to be, Neal. The larger image is worth a look!
I like the soft light and agree with Vincent some midtone contrast could boost it nicely.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 10, 2013 at 11:46 AM

Excellent in your face action! Love it for the drama, and I think the doves are an enhancement, not a detraction. I fully agree that a boost in contrast and maybe some saturation would make this even better.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments