Challenging Mum

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 7, 2012211 views5 comments

This is from the same family I had been working with from previous images, taken around 5.00pm in a small clearing. Mum had concealed the left overs of a kill in some dense scrub which she then decided to bring out to share with the two cubs, but on her terms. This little female cub decided to voice her thoughts too and challenge mum for a bit to eat. Pleased at the depth of detail, as the focus point was on Mum's eye, but more amazed the cub was on the same plane as Mum and to get the ridges in the palate of the mouth too. As the action was on Mum, having only part of the cub in shot for me isn't an issue, plus no option with a fixed lens.

Steve
Subject: Leopard cub challenging mum (Panthera pardus)
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 HH
Exposure: 1/250s at f/5.6 ISO800 +0.33 stop compensation
Crop: Slight crop (original capture horizontal)

Removed an offending grass stem on RHS

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on August 7, 2012 at 1:42 PM

Stephen, the detail in this is tremendous, and you did quite well to avoid too much distracting grass in the foreground. The interaction and expressions between the two are great.

I do feel the subjects are centered vertically a bit too much. Perhaps a very slight crop from bottom could fix that (and also get rid of some of the OOF foreground elements, which some may deem a distraction).

Regardless, I can see why you're pleased with this. I hope we get to see more shots of this family.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on August 7, 2012 at 10:34 PM

Steve, this is a fantastic shot! The expression on the mother's face and the sharpness are outstanding! Echo the thoughts about cropping out a bit of the foreground.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 8, 2012 at 2:33 PM

Hi Steve, the clear eyes with that typical, almost frightening, gaze only big cats can have as well as the exposed canines are strong focal points here. The snarling cub provides a second dimension. I am not bothered by the cub being only partly in the frame, but I do wish we could have seen more of the face.

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

Comment posted by Wick Smith on August 10, 2012 at 4:48 PM

What a great action/expression shot! Well done.

Registered on June 12, 2009, 91 Posts, 379 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 14, 2012 at 10:57 PM

The eye detail and facial attitude of the older cat are wonderful.

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