Kalahari Lion Patrol

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 17, 2011128 views7 comments

I am really looking forward to returning to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park at the end of November.

This is from our trip in October of last year. We found fresh lion tracks early one morning in the road and moments later came up behind this male as he was patrolling his territory. He was the leader of the pride even though he hadn't reached full maturity yet.

Unfortunately the dry riverbeds of the Kgalagadi run more-or-less North-South meaning that you are either on the perfect or wrong side of the light at dawn and dusk. I still like how this came out with the dust he kicked up.

All critique welcome...

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f8.0 @ 1/800 SS @ ISO-400

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 17, 2011 at 9:23 PM

Nice capture of the action. The dust adds to the image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on October 17, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Love the dust ! Very dynamic and shows the arid environment very well.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 17, 2011 at 10:59 PM

A majestic animal and this shot gives us a nice feel for the dry, harsh environment

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on October 18, 2011 at 1:54 AM

I hear you Morkel, for me its more wrong side than right side. This is an impressive male, can't wait to meet up with him in December. I also like the dust. I look forward to seeing what you will bring back with your new equipment.

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 18, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Perfect lighting or not, I'd be over the moon with a shot like this; the head is wonderfully illuminated and particularly that beautiful eye that show up so well with just the right amount of head angled in your direction. The raised front paw and the dust cloud kicking up are generous bonuses on an already splendid image. Very nice capture indeed Morkel and thanks for sharing :^)

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on October 18, 2011 at 8:53 AM

Hi Morkel,

I agree that the sun really helps make this shot. I like the monochromatic nature of this shot (really makes me appreciate how well these guys blend in to the habitat) and the "intense" look on the lion's face. While I like directional lighting (and side-lighting in particular), I agree with your assessment that it would be nice to be on the "other" side of the light (but, like you, I like how this come out anyway).

Cheers...thanks for sharing this...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on October 20, 2011 at 7:06 AM

Thanks very much for the kind feedback, folks...glad you also liked it

These males develop glorious dark/black manes at full maturity and this guy is close to that age! Hopefully I will see him again in November.

Neal - he is part of a pride that likes to hang around Monro and Kamfersboom...

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