Turn of Speed

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 29, 2014196 views10 comments

I've just returned from hosting a photographic safari to the Mara Triangle for the Great Migration. It truly was a spectacle, and although we didn't see any major crossings (did have a few smaller ones), the predator action was out of this world (to be expected when hundreds of thousands of herbivores dot the plains around your secluded camp site).

This is a photo from one of 4 successful kills we photographed - 2x cheetah and 2x lion. This mother has 5 cubs to feed and seems to be hunting every day. We were ideally positioned for a chase coming towards us, when the Thomson's Gazelle (out of frame here) decided to walk away from us even before the chase started. I do like the environment being shown as well as the lithe pose of the ferociously fast cheetah.

More images to come soon! Best to click on the larger image here

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f8.0 | 1/2000 SS | ISO-3600

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on September 29, 2014 at 6:53 PM

What a great shot. The cheetah is perfectly placed between those trees, and it really pops against the green environment.

Max

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on September 29, 2014 at 10:48 PM

The pano is just perfect, with an ideally placed cheetah in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on September 30, 2014 at 10:11 AM

That is truly an evocative shot. The environment is perfect and you can sense the cat's single minded determination and purpose. The only nit I have is that I wasn't in the vehicle with you. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on September 30, 2014 at 1:42 PM

The environ setting with the Cheetah comp in the frame, its all PERFECT.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on October 1, 2014 at 6:27 PM

Doesn't get much better than this.

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

Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on October 1, 2014 at 6:50 PM

Morkel, a really great action shot. I have a question unrelated to a critique of the image and more to your choice of crop. I presume this is cropped down from a single image - correct? What is the aspect ratio on this - it doesn't quite look like the standard 3:1. I have had images that work best when cropped to a non-standard pano like 2:1 or 2.3:1. Would you try to sell this image at this crop? Perhaps this question is best for another forum? If so feel free to move it or delete it.

Julie

Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on October 1, 2014 at 11:43 PM

Great action n perfect placement of Cheetah in the frame.
Did you get any frame with out stretched legs of Cheetah?
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 2, 2014 at 9:29 PM

My only critique is that this is the kind of image best appreciated really really big. Excellent action capture! I especially like the bullet-like posture of the cat and that you have her nicely separated from the background. Focus is near perfect.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on October 2, 2014 at 10:31 PM

Love the pose you managed t capture Morkel and the trees are set perfectly to balance this image. Really nice image.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 4, 2014 at 3:59 AM

Thanks a lot folks.
I do have "better" poses but the placement between the background trees is not as ideal there. The chase quickly turned away from us after this - it's nearly always 50/50, either going too far or too close to you

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