Late Night Leopard

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 3, 2013156 views12 comments

This female was descending from a high tree where she spent some time scouting for dinner, in awful light, luckily it improved the lower she got. Taken in Khwai Community Area, Botswana.
EOS 1DX
200-400mm F4 at 400mm
ISO 1600
F5.6
1/250
hand held from open vehicle

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 3, 2013 at 11:07 AM

A fine showing of a magnificent animal. Good detail, wonderful eye contact. The background is a little cluttered, but not at all distracting or obtrusive. No nits from me!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on September 3, 2013 at 11:45 AM

Great shot. How is the new Canon 200-400 working out for you?

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on September 3, 2013 at 2:59 PM

A very good image Ken shot in quite a dififcult habitat, yet the surrounding vegetation works as a pleasing framing for this beautiful cat. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 3, 2013 at 4:54 PM

Excellent in every way!

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 3, 2013 at 5:03 PM

Wonderful pose and a beautiful animal, Ken. I love the environment. Outstanding image.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 3, 2013 at 5:16 PM

The light indeed improved! I too, think the foliage around the leopard makes a nice frame. I do, however, find the green leaves in the back a tad bit distracting. They just keep pulling my eye over there. Still a great image!!

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 3, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Holy smokes, this is stunning! A+ Technically A+ Esthetically

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on September 3, 2013 at 8:13 PM

Great light and the eyes make the image. Beautiful cat in a great pose. Fine image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on September 3, 2013 at 9:09 PM

Nicely done Ken! Was this one from your most recent trip? If so and this is just a prelude of things to come I can't wait to see the rest.

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 3, 2013 at 9:20 PM

Great setting n beautiful frame !!!
I too keen to know your opinion about 200-400mm.

Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on September 4, 2013 at 1:48 AM

Thanks everybody for your comments, which are much appreciated

The 200-400 mm takes some getting used to after years of using the 500 mm, but it is extremely versatile, definitely the best lens fir Wildlife photography. It also seems lighter and more well balanced, probably because it is slightly shorter and most of the weight is at the back.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on September 4, 2013 at 4:26 AM

I've been missing your photos Ken.
fine full frontal of a beautiful cat. Love the eye contact and the slightly tentative expression.
You've obviously got a steady hand as sharpness is good despite the relatively slow shutter speed.

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