The Chase

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 16, 2011142 views7 comments

I was on my first visit to the Addo National Park in the Eastern Cape of South Africa to experience the majesty of the Elephants. Up until that visit I wasn't a big fan of the elephant as I saw them as dangerous and dare I say it boring to photograph. This trip changed my view forever as I learned so much by watching them interact as family units. Here, a youngsters was charging around chasing everything smaller than him from warthogs to plovers. I like the shot for the frozen action, the feet in the air in mid stride and the little cloud of dust in front of the front foot. This is almost a full frame so little chance to add anywhere. I was shooting from a vehicle with the lens on a beanbag.

Your views and crits are welcomed and appreciated.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/3200
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.0
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 640
Auto ISO Speed OFF
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal Length 500.0mm
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Servo AF

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Esme' Fantozzi on June 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM

I like the young elephant’s playfulness that your picture conveys: feet, ears and tail dancing in the air. Very nice details and light too. Thank you for sharing.

Registered on July 27, 2006, 50 Posts, 300 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffry Oonk on June 16, 2011 at 12:40 PM

Glad you gave it a try. Nice action shot of this little Elephant.
They are one of my favorite animals to observe and to photograph. They are very social, and there is never a dull moment within a herd.
I like the light colors of the image.
Thx

Registered on February 5, 2011, 21 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 17, 2011 at 3:37 AM

What a delightful picture Neal, and quite unique to be able to get a shot of a calf without any sight of other elephants around, I can just imagine how pleased you are with this one, very well done :^)

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 17, 2011 at 9:05 AM

Hi Neal,

Doesn't ma ever make these little guys take a bath??

Besides the major cute factor, I quite like the texture of the skin (including the caked-on mud) on this little one. I think your timing was quite good on this shot - even tho' totally frozen the image does convey motion quite nicely (largely driven by leg positioning).

Thanks for sharing this...fun to look at...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Gorazd Golob on June 17, 2011 at 2:28 PM

Great action and so cute. I like that small one is alone. Very nice.
I have to visit Addo soon, been always to Greater Kruger Park and Kgalagadi, have to try something different.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 23 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on June 19, 2011 at 5:48 PM

love the pose, earthy tones and cute factor here Neal...Addo is a great Park, for me it's just as far as Kgalagadi so I will almost always opt for the latter (unless we are travelling to my brother-in-law who lives in East London)

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on June 22, 2011 at 12:48 PM

I really love this shot.. A beautiful moment and baby elephants are so cute! Well captured

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments