First kill of the day

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 13, 2011104 views6 comments

Taken just after 6.30am on a cold morning in the Mara just as the sun was rising. This Cheetah had taken down a small Thomson's Gazelle and was just drawing breathe, heart pounding adrenalin rushing. As she composed herself she also scoured the horizon for any unwanted visitors before tucking in and taking as much as she could conceivably eat within a very short space of time before Jackal and Vulture arrived on scene.

Steve
MKIII 500f/4 f/4 1/50sec ISO640 (slight crop, resting on bean bag)

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 13, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Stark and well taken. I like the detail and the pose. Because there is so much midrange light, I think there is a bit of blue cast to the photo, easily corrected. I also like this as is. It tells a strong story quite well.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 13, 2011 at 7:05 PM

Very nice. The detail is great, and at a 1/50 sec. Really like the scanning look in the eyes, a wild side viewpoint indeed.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 13, 2011 at 9:23 PM

The back lighting is very nice, detail is pleasing and the blood remnants arresting! Thanks for sharing this one.

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

Comment posted by Ken Canning on April 13, 2011 at 10:10 PM

A beautiful portrait! I agree with Phil that a bit of warming would be nice.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 88 Posts, 549 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 13, 2011 at 10:42 PM

Wonderful portrait Steve! :^)

For some reason my imagination's running wild this morning: Something about this image has me imagining it was taken on a cold morning just after first light, and I can easily see a plume of warm breath emanating from the Cheetah's mouth about to be swallowed up in the chill of the air ...... perhaps it also has something to do with my peripheral vision being drawn toward that image of you in your Avatar wearing what appears to be a thick, fur-lined parka, which always seems to have me picturing you in some mid-winter scene - LOL ;^)

Jokes aside, I love this image for the emotional pull it evidently has on me, very well done and thanks for sharing :^)

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

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on April 16, 2011 at 6:06 PM

Hi Steve,
I like the composition you chose. She does seem to be throwing a nervous glance back over her shoulder. Without reading your description of the conditions, my first thought was this is an early morning capture so I think the cool look of the photo is perfect for your conditions. The warmly lit for on the back gives a hint of the sunrise.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments