Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Mesmerising
‹ PreviousWildlife GalleryNext ›

Mesmerising

by Stephen Kaluski

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 14, 2012203 views5 comments
This is the three month old male Leopard cub, the same one I had posted playing with Mum's (Mom's) tail, his sister was with Mum. The female had killed an Impala the previous night, hidden it in the bushes and then brought it out the following afternoon to feed on, even then it had a strong aroma.

This cub had had his fill and was fascinated by the flies attracted by the carcass in the BKG. The flies had an incredible iridescence to them, as per the one of the cubs ear.

Steve
Subject: Leopard cub mesmerised by flies (Panthera pardus)
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 - HH
Exposure: 1/320s at f/5.6 ISO800 0 stop compensation
Crop: Slight crop (original capture horizontal)

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 14, 2012 at 9:59 PM
Interesting behavior shot. I do wish I could see a bit more of the face.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on January 15, 2012 at 1:10 AM
Intriguing indeed. I am a little undecided on the shallow depth of focus. It does however draw attention to the face nicely. More of the flies in focus would have conveyed the scene more immediately. Would love to see more from this encounter, particularly of the cub playing around the carcass :wink:

ps: Without the commentary the rested head and still eye might suggest a morbid scenario :frown:
Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments
Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 15, 2012 at 4:30 AM
Anand check the EXIF data, I had to keep the shutter speed as high as possible, but without going too high on ISO. Increasing the DOF would have reduced SS and caused less clarity/sharpness & perhaps movement in the shot.

Will post others in due course.

Steve
Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 15, 2012 at 7:05 AM
Interesting behavioural image Steve and the clarity and detail on the cub's face are engaging. The shallow DOF works well to make that face the clear focal point. However, IMO for this to have even more impact, more detail on the flies is needed as well. That is easier said that done though :wink: .
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 15, 2012 at 2:15 PM
This makes for a compellingly interesting capture. Thanks for posting it!
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments