Hwange Cubs

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 30, 2013232 views19 comments

Three years ago I was also in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe and also freezing. Getting up early in the morning is however made very worthwhile when you get a nice sighting.
We found a nice pride of Lion with two different sets of cubs,this image clearly shows the difference in eye colours in cubs of different ages, they usually darken at around 3 months.

EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
ISO 800
F9 ( no idea)
1/320
hand held from open vehicle over the windscreen

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on July 30, 2013 at 11:24 AM

Wonderful, clear shot with nice lighting. I love the stalking behavior stance of the two cubs and the eye-level view we get of the two of them.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on July 30, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Ken, I like the eyes, particularly the intensity of the smaller cub's eyes. You handled the light/shadow combination well IMO. For my taste, it is cropped just a wee bit tight. Great image

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 30, 2013 at 12:59 PM

Lovely image Ken. I like the visual symmetry (the poses) as well as contrast (sizes and eye colours) in the images. I don't think your aperture was that badly chosen at all.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 30, 2013 at 3:20 PM

This is nice Ken. Love the light and the different eye colours.
Overall I would have liked more space below and less on top (to "walk into").

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

Comment posted by Butch Lama on July 30, 2013 at 5:54 PM

Excellent shot... Nice light and love the twinkles in the eyes.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on July 30, 2013 at 10:55 PM

I like the way junior is walking a little diffidently, compared to the bolder walk of the older cub.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 31, 2013 at 2:15 AM

Thanks everybody for your kind comments.
This is cropped from Landscape mainly to eliminate partial OOF Mums,
The lack of space at the bottom is because the vehicle we were in had a fixed windscreen which I had to try to shoot over, standing up is not recommended with Lions nearby

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on July 31, 2013 at 3:43 AM

A sweet photo of this pair of youngsters walking together in beautiful light. Love those eye's and the curious look of the smaller cub.

Excellent composition Ken.

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on July 31, 2013 at 4:27 AM

Very cute n adorable, love it.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 31, 2013 at 5:12 AM

Ken and Jagdeep,
Thanks very much for your comments

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 31, 2013 at 10:49 PM

Love this one Ken. Personally, I like the comp as posted on this.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on August 1, 2013 at 12:48 AM

Kurt,
Thanks very much

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 1, 2013 at 5:28 PM

I think this is a solid composition with a great deal of emotional appeal. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on August 1, 2013 at 10:45 PM

Very cute cubs with excellent exposure. TFS.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on August 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Lon and Basri,
Thanks for your kind comments

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 2, 2013 at 2:22 PM

Ken, no need need to thank everyone each time for their comments...

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

Comment posted by Joe James on August 4, 2013 at 8:45 PM

This is just great Ken! I really love the difference this shows between the two cubs, what great timing. My only nit is it would be nice to see a bit more foreground like others have mentioned but like you said, with lions near the vehicle prudence is more important than getting things perfect.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 5, 2013 at 11:41 PM

Beautiful image - can't wait til next May when we'll be in S Africa for 6 weeks.
Love the eyes, and the size difference. Very interesting how the cubs mature..
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 7, 2013 at 9:44 AM

Sweet shot Ken, nice!!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments