Verreaux's sifaka

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 13, 2010100 views13 comments

Another Verreaux's sifaka from me, but this time more of a portrait. It looks as though it is sitting high in a tree, but conveniently it was sitting at about head height. This is an early morning picture, hence the pinkish glow on the fur, which personally I quite like. The other thing that I am pleased about is that I got the whole tail in - harder with these guys than you would think.

My other favourite portrait of this species is being posted in the UKNP Gallery. I will leave it to you to decide if you like more one than the other. Personally I am pleased with both.

Thanks for looking.

David

Nikon D300, 150mm Sigma, Monopod, 400iso, 1/125th @f3.5

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on December 13, 2010 at 4:39 PM

An absolutely wonderful and intriguing species to observe. Congrats on this beauty David and thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 13, 2010 at 8:52 PM

Great shot, good pose. I like the detail in the face. IMHO it could use just a bit more contrast, but that may be just me. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 13, 2010 at 10:04 PM

This is pretty good, but the one you posted in UKNP Gallery is the one I consider classically excellent. You must have had a great time there!

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

Comment posted by Kyle Horner on December 13, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Great portrait! The detail on and around the face is wonderful, and I love the intensely focused expression (and especially the fact that he's focused on something that's not the camera).

Kyle

Registered on November 15, 2010, 15 Posts, 28 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 14, 2010 at 11:16 AM

David, I love that attentive gaze and body pose! I can understand that you like the pinkish hue on the fur, I do too. I do find the image a bit on the dark side; personally I would selectively brighten up the subject a bit, maybe by 1/3 to 1/2 a stop. Further I would try to reduce the brightness of the patch in the TRC.

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

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 15, 2010 at 11:03 AM

One of your best David, would agree on a fraction more contrast and a hint more selective USM for me.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 16, 2010 at 1:41 AM

I have never seen this species before, but it has great eyes. Agree with the conrast boost suggestions.

Excuse my ignorance but is this the same Verreaux after whom the Eagle is named?

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 16, 2010 at 1:52 AM

Fine portrait David. Some good suggestions already made. I would like to see a bit more room behind him. The larger view has some stunning detail on the face, and what a face at that.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 16, 2010 at 8:14 AM

Thanks for all your comments. I am still playing around with the contrast. As for Ken's point, it is indeed the same Verreaux after whom the eagle is named, and who has another bird (Verreaux's coua) named after him as well. This is Jules Pierre Verreaux (1807-1873), a 19th century natural history collector, and he is also commemorated in the scientific names of several additional species.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 16, 2010 at 9:15 AM

David,

Thanks for the info.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on December 18, 2010 at 7:48 AM

What a handsome specimen, David! On my monitor, the back looks a tad too bright, and the suggestions about increasing contrast might address this 'problem'. By the way, there was another Verraux whose first name was Edouard, who has also had his name appended to some species. Maybe, a brother of Jules?

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

Comment posted by kiran khanzode on December 18, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Great execution, I love the complimenting colors.

Registered on February 21, 2009, 83 Posts, 428 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 18, 2011 at 6:21 AM

Love this one too David, the eyes of Sifaka, and Lemurs in general, are one of their more endearing features, and this captures them perfectly, thanks again for sharing! :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments