Happy feet

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 31, 2010171 views11 comments

It had rained the day before and this Leopard tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) had just finished quenching its thirst, drinking rainwater from a muddy puddle. A simple image, but the muddy feet made me laugh, I hope it has the same effect on you!
A good example also just to stress the importance again of getting down low to eye level with your subject. This certainly is not always needed of course for a successful wildlife photo, but in a lot of cases it is. Moreover with small subjects like tortoises. Just try to imagine this image if it were shot from a higher angle...

A bit early maybe, but happy Easter Holidays everyone!

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana.
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shutter Speed 1/640 Sec.
Aperture Value f/8.0
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4xTC
Handheld
Corpped from top to pano

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 31, 2010 at 11:18 AM

Hey Vincent,

So...does this mean the Easter bunny in Botswana actually an Easter tortoise?? A very cute and smile-producing image! And a very valid point!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 31, 2010 at 11:53 AM

Pretety hard to get motion blur on a tortoise! I agree, the muddy feet are really cool

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 31, 2010 at 2:51 PM

Yep, easter tortoises here

.
And Luke, you will be surprised... I have several leopard tortoise frames with motion blur.

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

Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on March 31, 2010 at 3:06 PM

Hi Vincent,

Great detail, and certainly made me smile! Happy easter.

Billy

Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on March 31, 2010 at 4:09 PM

The muddy feet are cool. A very simple but well composed image. Love the perspective. I agree with you about the angle.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on March 31, 2010 at 6:32 PM

Great image Vincent. Nice to see one of the 'Little Five'.

Well done.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Palla on March 31, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Nice angle as you stated and the muddy feet are nice bonus. Really, motion blur from a tortoise? I'd actually like to see that. Happy Easter to you as well.

Registered on December 19, 2007, 25 Posts, 328 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 31, 2010 at 10:04 PM

Good shot, Vincent. To be really picky, I would want the uplifted front leg to be extended forward to add momentum to his line of travel. I really like the texture of the wet mud on his feet.

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on April 1, 2010 at 2:01 AM

A very happy Easter to you, too, Vincent! And what a lovely image! I like the muddy legs and the sense of purpose in the tortoise's walk, as if it is already late for a meeting!

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 2, 2010 at 1:26 AM

Great lesson on low angle. Fun shot as the muddy feet did make me laugh.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on April 3, 2010 at 3:37 AM

A simple and effective image Vincent, love those muddy feet, definitly made me smile. Happy Easter!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments