Giant Panda & REPOST

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted April 30, 20171,629 views5 comments

I made a quick trip into the Memphis Zoo early one morning ahead of a rainstorm specifically to see the Giant Pandas and was lucky; the rain held off and the male Giant Panda was outside and high enough in the enclosure that I could place my camera on top of the plexiglass enclosure and expose by using live view. The big guy stayed on top of his jungle gym structure for about 10 minutes taking various poses. I think he was doing a big panda laugh here as he was energetically scratching himself.

D 800, 300 mm at F 11, 1/400 second, ISO 1250, handheld, no flash (you cant get a catch light in these guys eyes anyway and I did not want to spook him off his perch).

Comments and Critiques always welcome

I have edited this photo based on the comments about the large nut. After pondering about it, decided to see if darkening it, rather than eliminating it, might be desirable.

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 30, 2017 at 11:10 AM

Delightful, and excellent technique to capture him. !
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 30, 2017 at 4:32 PM

Nicely taken Kathy! Good details and color. I also like the pose you caught the big guy in. I suggest cloning out the nut on the top of the log, I find it distracting. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Kathy Snead on April 30, 2017 at 5:17 PM

Hi John
Thanks for the comments. I have gone back and forth about that but. On the one hand it serves as a reminder of his encoded status, but on the other it does stand out. I just can't decide and I appreciate feedback on it

Registered on April 6, 2017, 104 Posts, 397 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on April 30, 2017 at 7:56 PM

Hi Kathy,

Pandas are amusing creatures and this one is no exception. Good pose and I like pose and facial expression...................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Kathy Snead on May 11, 2017 at 10:46 AM

Hi All

Thank you for the many nice comments. As I said before, that large nut placed me in a bind as I did not like it, but it was part of the animal's environment. I have darkened it in this new photo, rather than eliminating it.

Registered on April 6, 2017, 104 Posts, 397 Comments