never alone - with repost

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 7, 2010122 views7 comments

This two impalas moved apart from their herd for physiological activity (I don't know how to explain it differently). It illustrates a behavior typical of one of the predators' (leopard above all) most favorite meal. They're perfectly conscious of being a prey and for safety look after one other in every moment of the day. The position, face to face and not aligned, gives the opportunity to see what's going on behind the other shoulder and in case of danger take a fast reaction.

Botswana, Chobe Natl. Park

D2Xs, 70-300 f/4-5.6@f-8 -1/500 iso 200
Camera raw pp: -0,35ev
CS3 pp: cut -lights - contrast adjustment

c&c welcomed

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 7, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Good shot. Nice lighting, interesting behavior and good shot of the environment. I also like the pano crop. If I hadn't read the explanation I would have assumed they were getting ready to fight.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on March 7, 2010 at 1:30 PM

Thanks for the info. Good shot and color.

Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 7, 2010 at 2:24 PM

This does to me look like male posturing. Watching for predators by having members of the group facing different positions is typical behavior for most herd animals. Interesting photo, do you have any more of these two impalas?

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 7, 2010 at 11:26 PM

This is a great photo for a book about animal behavior Luca. The pano crop suits this well, but I would have liked a bit more room above the tree tops. Also the image would benefit from some furtehr enhancements, especially contrast.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on March 8, 2010 at 5:01 AM

@John: indeed you got reason, all preys look after each others in every moment and being in a numerous group increase the probability of not being choosen for breakfast and yes i got several: my choice went to this for the symmetry.
@Vincent: I made a different cut giving some room to the tree tops an rising the contrast.
@Robert: for what I've observed, and it's very little, the fight starts with the two competitors more close one to the other, start a long distance rush has at least two cons: lost of energy and greater risk,normally their battles are harsh and could end with death or serious injuries,but only for territory supremacy.

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 8, 2010 at 9:07 AM

Hi Luca,

Very interesting behavioural shot. Most herbivore behaviour is strongly influenced by anti-predator strategies (everything from herding up through to time spent head-up vs. head-down while foraging), and this image is a fine example of that. I like your choice of crop here - works well the subject matter. From a photographic perspective it would be nice if the heads oriented at least perpendicular to the frame (so we could get a bit of view of the eyes). I agree with Vincent's comment about contrast and would further add that I think the image could also use a tad of global brightening.

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 9, 2010 at 2:13 PM

Thanks for sharing this interesting capture. I agree with the other comments and think the increased contrast is a nice enhancement. I would underscore that it seems a touch more brightening would be helpful.

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