Bad Morning (Graphic)

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 5, 2013181 views7 comments

This female and her friend went for a midday stroll, lost the protection of the herd, and walked into a pride of Lions, that is really bad!
Conditions were not exactly conducive for photography, overhead sun, and then the Lions brought her down in shade!
It made for some interesting processing!
EOS 1DX
200-400mm F4 at 280mm (should have been closer)
ISO 800
F7.1
1/1250
EV + 0.33

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on October 5, 2013 at 9:07 AM

Photography is fine, you have handled the shadows well. Outstanding capture of a real life moment.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 5, 2013 at 10:36 AM

Yikes, this makes me squirm a little, it won't be making it to any of the Disney Channels. Hopefully this ended quickly but I suspect not. The composition and general layout look great although the one dead trunk in the background is lined up with the top lion's head. If you had moved two feet to the right perhaps, but by then the right lion would likely have his face hidden in a flank somewhere. Techs looks pretty good considering the lighting. I'm constantly amazed how these dramatic scenes play out for you folks on safari, amazing.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 6, 2013 at 2:14 AM

John,

Thanks very much

Gary,
Since starting serious safari around 15 years ago we have spent 635 days in a variety of parks in Africa giving us plenty of opportunities but, in that time we have seen only 3 Lion kills

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 6, 2013 at 12:50 PM

Graphic to the max! This is powerful action. The lighting is tricky, I know, but I am wishing for a little more detail in the buffalo, if possible.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 6, 2013 at 4:10 PM

Very dramatic! Exposure well handled here, considering conditions especially.

PS: I've only ever seen 2 lion kills and I've been going on safaris regularly for 25 years or so.

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

Comment posted by David Sewell on October 6, 2013 at 4:11 PM

Graphic it certainly is, but it captures life on the African plains as it is and whilst we might all hope for better lighting in such a situation you have to work with what is there. I think you had a great opportunity here, and handled it well.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 6, 2013 at 5:45 PM

Thanks Ken and Morkel for the additional context, I was really wondering how on earth this could be a commonly observed event, it isn't!!

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