Shooting "RAW"

These are tough scenes to watch, but a natural scene nonetheless. Techs and framing are all good. Do hyenas usually kill by disemboweling pictured here as do the wild dogs? Richard

A nice photo of a really ugly subject.

A powerful and honest image. Survival of the fittest, true Nature isn't just about cute and fuzzy critters cuddling up together. While difficult to witness it is how the natural world works.

A raw scene for sure.

Mario,
I have to say this is a bit "grim" and not something I really like to look at.
Hyenas are much worse than Wild Dogs in the manner in which they kill, but to be quite honest the eating of prey alive is quite commonplace, even Cheetahs do it.
This nevertheless reflects reality

Gruesome and engaging! I think you did a fine job with this documentary capture. Maybe it is my monitor, but it seems the blood red is a little unnaturally saturated and I think it will be just as impactful, yet more true if toned down a little.

Hi Mario,

Yep, that's a very raw format indeed. Predation is rarely a pretty thing to watch, as this shot shows. Hard not to feel for the wildebeest.

I agree with Lon on the saturation of the reds - on my monitor the blood also looks pushed a little too far.

Lots of impact and emotion on this one - well done.

Cheers...

Brad

PS: Just an FYI: I've seen similar shots to this (with wolves) used by some in attempting to justify the culling of wolves. I'm not at all familiar with the conservation/political issues surrounding the Spotted Hyena, but you might want to be a bit mindful about who gets access to this shot...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and taking the time to comment. The reds, as some of you have pointed out, are a bit saturated and this is due to posting this image from my laptop which occasionally causes these situations.

@Brad - In Africa, there is no such thing as culling of hyenas. In fact they are a clear indicator of the ecosystem's health and play an extremely important role in preserving the right balance meaning that the lack of hyenas in a particular African habitat could lead to it's destruction. To answer your comment I would be inclined to say that this image would not lead to what you suggest in any way.

Mario,

Thanks for answering Brad's comment.
Any type of culling in Africa is extremely rare, even though some claim it is common place, in particular in relation to Elephants. The last cull in Kruger occurred in 1994!

Hey Mario,

All I meant was that evocative images like this can be used in ways that may be counter to the goals of the photographer and that you have to be careful who you allow to use them. I was in no way saying that it would lead to a hyena cull.

Cheers...

Brad

Grim and brutal, but reflecting reality. Quite dramatic, Mario, albeit not everyone's cuppa that's for sure
I agree the saturation is too much and there's a lot of magenta coming through in the wildebeest's coat. Just came from the Mara Triangle and the place is pumping! We saw 4 successful hunts and a couple more attempts in just 7 days.