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Gallery: WildlifePosted May 22, 2012261 views14 comments

I spent 2 weeks in Zimbabwe, Antelope Park, following the Ngamo Pride. It's their first released pride, of captive bred lions. It's a program of ALERT, to save the lions. So now they have to survive on their own, and together with the researcher, I followed them to see how they are doing. They have 4 little cubs, and this is one of them. The lions are hunting very well, and their social interaction is fantastic to witness. I got some really nice shots of them, although didn't get the kill I was hoping for... I wasn't sure if I could post it here, because they were not born wild (although the cubs are!). So please let me know what you think!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Carole Deschuymere on May 22, 2012 at 8:31 AM

forgot the details:
Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 500mm f/4
ISO 400
f/4.0
1/1000
clouded weather

Registered on April 29, 2012, 11 Posts, 10 Comments

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on May 22, 2012 at 12:20 PM

The upward gaze and tight hug of the trunk are very appealing. Well done!

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on May 22, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Aw man, am I ever jealous! Lions are on my list of things to one day photograph. Great comp! It also looks like you have some good detail. I really like your title for the image, too, it works perfectly. Really does look like he's saying "my tree!" .

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 23, 2012 at 1:50 AM

Super Cute tree huger you have there Carole. Awesome Photograph!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by James Campbell on May 23, 2012 at 2:21 AM

This image works beautifully.. the cub showing the cutest pose and the composition is just right. The twig tending toward it's eye is a little bother but clearly unavoidable. It sounds like a great experience seeing how reintroduced animals are faring back in the wild

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 23, 2012 at 12:27 PM

Cuteness alert here!

A technically very well executed portrait with bright clear eyes being the focal points, smooth bokeh, a nice DOF and good detail. The twig pointing to the corner of the eye is a little unfortunate I agree, but it does not by any means harm the image as a whole.

PS: Even if this were a captive lion it would be no problem posting it in the Wildlife Gallery, as long as you mention that.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on May 23, 2012 at 4:34 PM

Cute cub with expression, sharp shot with good BG. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on May 24, 2012 at 3:57 AM

Carole, this one is a keeper to say the least! Wow that cub is cute, and you did everything right to capture and convey that to us! I like your choice of comp, and the techs look fine to me! Great job!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on May 24, 2012 at 12:02 PM

Hahhaha, this is great Carole.

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on May 24, 2012 at 4:35 PM

The innocence of youth!
Great capture!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on May 25, 2012 at 6:28 AM

Awesome moment here Carole. Very cute...

My only critique is that it looks a little underexposed, and a little "unsharp" due to very shallow DOF with the lens at f4 and at close range. Some additional sharpening will help at this size. I'm also seeing a hint of cyan and green in the lion's fur, easy to correct.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 26, 2012 at 12:10 AM

Lovely and full of the cuteness factor. My only wish would have been for the stub of branch to not come out to intersect at the eye.

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 29, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Lovely, cho chweet image, Carole! That twig near the left eye is unfortunate, as already noted by others, but nothing you could have done about it.

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Carole Deschuymere on June 2, 2012 at 2:36 AM

I think these colours are better.

Registered on April 29, 2012, 11 Posts, 10 Comments