King of the Kalahari

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 14, 2013276 views15 comments

I'd like to introduce you to the most imposing and impressive male lion I've ever encountered in the wild. This male was photographed in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (Kalahari desert) this November past. We found him on 3 separate occasions, of which this was the most photogenic. The pride had killed in the night and he was blood-smeared, walking along while roaring and marking his territory.

Lions elsewhere in Southern Africa just don't compare to the presence and looks of these black-maned Kalahari lions. The only lion I've seen photos of that might rival this guy is Notch (and his sons) of the Mara.

Techs:
Nikon D3s with Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II + 1.4xTC @ 700mm
f8.0 @ 1/1250 SS @ ISO-450
90% of full frame image

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 14, 2013 at 6:25 PM

Really like the angle and how the light hits the eyes... the small amount of dust, raised foot and blood stained face/mane. Well captured

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on January 14, 2013 at 6:46 PM

This is one powerful shot..a perfect display of pride..well done

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 14, 2013 at 8:18 PM

Very, very nice!!!

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on January 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM

That is a great looking specimen indeed Morkel and of course the good light makes him look at his best! I love the clear eyes with catchlights and that magnificent mane.Technically well executed and processed. There is only one thing I am left wondering and that is if there may be a shot in your sequence of this lion (if you made a sequence that is, but I assume you did) with a slightly different body position; not the head and eyes, those are perfect, but I generally like to see the tail tuft of a lion and, when walking, prefer a raised angled leg as opposed to all straight legs. These are not nits of course, merely my weird personal preferences

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

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on January 15, 2013 at 5:19 PM

A beautiful shot of a magnificent animal to be sure. You’ve captured the dominance and determination of this alpha male perfectly Morkel. Well done.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 15, 2013 at 10:05 PM

Sweet light. In defense of leg positions, I made note of liking that one can see the pads on the extended right foreleg. I know he is looking back, but to me it feels like more space in front to accommodate his striding movement would feel stronger. All in all, excellent capture!

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 16, 2013 at 8:54 AM

Hi Morkel,

Technically this one looks absolutely spot-on, and those piercing eyes are amazing. I like the out-stretched front right leg too. Two very minor nits for me, both of which are clearly personal preference issues. First, it feels just a tad tight on the bottom - if it were mine and if there was a little more in-focus foreground there I'd include it. And, like Lon suggested, I'd prefer a little less space on the right and a little more on the right (again, not a major shift...just a tweak).

But obviously a very solid shot of an amazing subject - thanks for sharing it...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on January 16, 2013 at 3:33 PM

Thanks for your kind comments, guys and gals...

I probably have one with the tail tuft showing, but the head angle and proud pose here was better than the others. Will have a look again. Also, the foreground that I have left at the bottom is OOF, and I had to rotate slightly and crop for leveling so it's not much...

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

Comment posted by James Allen on January 16, 2013 at 4:29 PM

The old blood add the perfect dash of color to his face and mane

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on January 18, 2013 at 5:44 AM

Nice one Morkel - the catchlights and the dried blood make the shot for me.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on January 19, 2013 at 12:06 AM

Cool capture - I love the colors of the mane, and the dust being kicked up. Nice light and great detail on that face, he looks like a pretty rough character.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on February 16, 2013 at 3:23 PM

Excellent shot with light, posture and detail. TFS.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on February 23, 2013 at 11:27 AM

Magnificent beast, magnificent photo. Well done

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on February 25, 2013 at 5:02 AM

Notch and his boys are an impressive unit, but as a single male Notch is nowhere near as beautiful as this guy

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 2, 2013 at 6:39 AM

Thanks a lot folks!!!

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