Out on a limb

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 18, 2010191 views8 comments

This sub-adult female, approx 15 months old, spent much of the morning in the tree, while her male sibling, now the challenging male tiger of Bandhavgarh, remained on the ground, at the base of the same tree.

Adult tigers rarely climb trees. They are just too heavy. However, older cubs and sub-adults, who have not yet reached their full physical maturity can, and do climb trees.

On elephant, this put me just below eye level and very close. D70 70-200VR, ISO 400, f2.8, 1/500. Hand held. Full frame @ 70mm.

C&C please.

Butch

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 18, 2010 at 10:51 PM

Terrific detail here, and the peeking head through the branches and leaves is wonderful. Must have been quite a thrilling experience.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on August 18, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Magnificent image. Well done in every aspect.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 19, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Hi Butch, thanks for giving us some interesting BG info on tiger behaviour. The details on the tiger's head are impressive and I like it that the eyes stand out very well. There are however two small things that detract from my appreciation of the image a bit. The first is the washed out white BG; I know this is a difficult shooting situation with an animal in dense vegetation and bright BG light. The other thing is the clipping off of the tiger's hind leg. Both could be 'solved IMO in this case by zooming in and going for a tighter portrait.

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

Comment posted by Butch Lama on August 19, 2010 at 2:08 PM

Thanks Vincent. This is the image, cropped as suggested. A tighter frame of the tiger reduces the distractions. Doing so also seems to remove part of the story. Both work for me. Thanks again! Butch

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 19, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Although I get your point Butch, to me it does not remove part of the story (as it comes across to me anyway) since it is still clearly a tiger in a tree, which not the most common place to see them.!

I much prefer your repost, excellent work!

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 20, 2010 at 6:26 PM

I agree fully with Vincent and think zooming in would have been a fine choice. This is an excellent capture/exposure given the contrasts you were dealing with. I like how the tiger is well rendered yet the surroundings give a sense of camouflage as well.

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

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on August 21, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Wonderful shot, Butch. Love the behavior here. And you got a very sharp shot too. I like the cropped version more.

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on August 22, 2010 at 12:44 AM

Great picture! I like the tighter shot more than the first post. Thanks for sharing!

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