snow leopard couple C

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 28, 2013320 views7 comments

I tried to get photos of this snow leopard pair at the zoo in the snow, but not a lot of luck. The pair was high on a ledge in their exhibit and showed no interest in coming down into a more photogenic space. Unfortunately, the exhibit is fronted with several trees which continued to drop snow on me as I tried for good images.
My broad brimed hat kept most of the snow off my gear. The male is in front with the female slightly behind.

Canon PS SX50
1/100 @ F-6.5 ISO 500 +0.3 adj.
4.3-215mm @ 215mm
Cleaned up the BG quite a bit to get the wire out of the photo.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on February 28, 2013 at 10:34 PM

That's quite a pair, John. You certainly had their attention. Nice detail on their faces. Really interesting how the heads at first glance look alike but upon closer inspection, they are marked differently. Snow would have been nice but you did well with what you were given Good job cleaning up the BG. Only nit would be to get a little more room on the left and just a dab on the right to have the ear clear. Nice image.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 28, 2013 at 11:57 PM

Impressive and beautiful cats these are John. I like the tight framing and the symmetrical poses with one being further away. What a pity about the concrete ridge in front.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 1, 2013 at 1:14 AM

Greetings John. Beautiful subjects, no question!!! You appear to have had some decent light, I like the catchlights in their eyes that adds life and interest and the light kissing the top of their heads. There always seems to be "something" about the look of captive animals in photographs though...can't quite put my finger on it, sad, resigned?

Thanks for mentioning these were zoo animals. We used to identify wildlife photographed in captivity with the letter (C) following the title in the title bar in this forum; its quick and provides clarity. Might be nice to see this convention used consistently again imho .

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on March 1, 2013 at 9:16 PM

Beautiful animals. I think you did a fine job considering the constraints you mentioned in the exhibit.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 2, 2013 at 8:22 AM

Hello John

Beautiful Specimens !! Thanks for sharing

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on March 2, 2013 at 3:41 PM

Beautiful portrait of beautiful subjects. What else is there to say?

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 3, 2013 at 10:35 PM

Given you constraints, this is a fine result.

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