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The Kill
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The Kill

by Neal Cooper

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 16, 2012342 views5 comments
We followed this Kalahari Cheetah for 2 hours as she stalked 3 Springbok. When she eventually came close the tiniest Springbok lamb stood up out off the grass. She spotted the easy meal and when she charged the young lamb ran straight for my vehicle. At ons stage it was so close, my 500mm could not focus. It was soon over powered by the predator which snatched it up and trotted off to the shade of a nearby tree. This image is very close to full frame and unfortunately I didn't anticipate the sharp turn to the left so was caught out for space around the head. The Cheetah is one off a few females who for part of a study being conducted by Dr Gus Mills hence the collar. It was also 12:35 in the middle of a Kalahari summers day so the light was very harsh.

Canon 1D MKIV
Canon 500mm f/4.0
1/2500
f/8.0
ISO 800

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 16, 2012 at 1:49 PM
Nice capture of the action. The image looks a bit washed out to me. Could be my monitor.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on January 16, 2012 at 9:46 PM
That must have been exhilarating. Great job in getting the shot in all that excitement. The collar isn't bothersome at all. The shadow in the eyes can be brightened up a little if you are open to such processing.
Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments
Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on January 16, 2012 at 9:47 PM
Must have been a great experience, never mind the photo op.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 18, 2012 at 6:40 AM
Must have been a thrilling show Neal. Your self-assessment about the image is spot on; nevertheless it is a very interesting behavioral image.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 19, 2012 at 5:20 PM
You already identified the nits of space around the head and difficulty of lighting. Action is superb and you maximized the potential for a memorable capture.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments