Silent night stalker

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 4, 2013567 views8 comments

Not very special, and frankly I am not a big fan of night shots with artificial light, but a rather cooperative individual of a species I had never photographed before. I was camping on the banks of the Limpopo River when this beautiful Genet walked into my camp. For me nothing beats being totally alone in the bush and have such a close connection with nature. Isn’t that what we all do it for?

NTGR, Botswana
Large-spotted Genet (Genetta maculata)
Camera Model Canon EOS 1D X
Shutter Speed 1/100 Sec.
Aperture Value f/2.8
ISO Speed 3200
Lens EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM @ 190mm
Spotmetering
Torch light (torch in one hand, camera in the other...)
90% of original

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on September 4, 2013 at 4:15 PM

I agree with you about night shots. They are usually very artificial looking. However, I do like this one. The exposure is good and the colors are rich. Great capture.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on September 4, 2013 at 11:22 PM

Vincednt,
I am with you on artificial lightrespecially flash!
However the careful use of a torch or a spot can produce as here interesting results.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 5, 2013 at 2:32 PM

Thanks for posting this. The genet group is one of my favorite group of mammals. Seldom seen. Glad you got the photo with either flash or torch. I have been told the Egyptians used genets as mousers before the domestication of house cats. Your photo almost looks like a moon beam hitting the genet. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on September 5, 2013 at 4:12 PM

Hey Vincent,

I envy the experience - and totally agree with you about night shots with artificial lights (but, hey...documentary shots ARE important).

RE: "For me nothing beats being totally alone in the bush and have such a close connection with nature. Isn’t that what we all do it for?"

Well...I can't speak for anyone else - but for me...YEP!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 5, 2013 at 5:42 PM

Love these guys, they can be very cooperative in camp sites where they've become habituated to humans to an extent. This turned out nicely though I do wish his eyes weren't squinted as much (gives the impression that the light was bothering him, but he may have been sleepy)

I agree with your last sentence!

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

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on September 7, 2013 at 3:20 AM

Brilliant execution Vincent.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 11, 2013 at 11:10 PM

THE best place to see and photograph genets is in Ndutu Safari Lodge in Tanzania. In fact, it is the mascot of the lodge! However, all the Ndutu images are taken within the dining area of the lodge, while this one from Vincent is in natural surroundings.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on September 12, 2013 at 4:36 PM

Vincent, thanks for sharing this. I've seen them a few times, but have never been able to get a photo since they seem to normally be quite shy. This is a great look at a beautiful, but elusive species.

Max

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