The Chase was Endless

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 14, 2013228 views15 comments

One of many photos I took at an intense sighting I enjoyed all on my own early one morning in Etosha. I was privy to witnessing a pride of lions take down a big giraffe bull from start to finish. They must have chased it for hours during the night as they all wanted to have a rest when he finally succumbed. This female even used the carcass as a pillow. I love that you can have "peaceful" and poignant moments like these in the midst of one of the harsh realities of life in the bush - I love Africa.

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f5.6 | 1/320 SS | ISO-2000

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 14, 2013 at 8:49 AM

Hey Morkel,

Wow - a really evocative image. I'm not 100% certain what viewers would conclude (story-wise) from this image if it wasn't accompanied by a commentary, but there's no doubt at all that it would leave them thinking and wondering. Which, in my books, means the image is very successful.

I really like this as posted but, like always when seeing a B&W image, I do wonder how the colour version looks...

Love it...super well done...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 14, 2013 at 9:06 AM

Thanks for your comment Brad. Glad you like it. Here's the colour version...

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 14, 2013 at 9:09 AM

Hey again Morkel,

Thanks for posting the colour version - and now I can say with confidence I prefer the toned B&W version - somehow seems more "raw" and the lack of colour focuses my attention more on what's going on in the image. Real good decision to go B&W on it...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on December 14, 2013 at 9:37 AM

Unusual and interesting shot Morkel.
I do prefer the B+W version and the crop works well.
I really like th epose the lioness had adopted with her two paws keeping possession of the kill.

How did the kids feel about seeing a gorgeous giraffe killed in front of them?

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 14, 2013 at 9:43 AM

Thanks Brad.
Martin - on this morning my wife and kids decided to sleep in...

...so my kids weren't subjected to it. But it was a very "ungruesome" event as far as kills go.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 14, 2013 at 10:21 AM

Morkel,
It will not surprise you that the B &W version has no appeal for me, the colour version is OK, but really needs something to be happening, sleeping lions are quite common

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 14, 2013 at 11:59 AM

No surprises Ken.

Next time you see a lion sleeping on a giraffe's neck, be sure to take a photo for me.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 14, 2013 at 12:00 PM

I like both versions, but sort of favor the color image. You certainly do not see many images of lions with a giraffe kill, I wonder if the bull giraffe had some sort of problem which made him vulnerable. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Bell on December 14, 2013 at 2:08 PM

Wow! Amazing capture. I like the composition and the pose of the lioness. My preference is the color version, but that is just my bias. I believe that both versions work quite well. Thanks for sharing the image and the story.

Registered on April 24, 2007, 55 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 14, 2013 at 2:23 PM

The photo in itself is a bit enigmatic, but your title provides the viewer with the needed context. My preference here is the colour version, the lion in the black/white blends in a little too much with the background. I might consider cloning out the one dead branch sticking up over the giraffe's shoulder, a minor thing but pays back in simplifying the scene for more impact.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on December 14, 2013 at 9:08 PM

Amazing moment Morkel. I like the B&W treatment

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 15, 2013 at 2:03 AM

Morkel.
Sorry I have only got them awake on a Giraffe's neck

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 15, 2013 at 3:23 AM

Great Ken, post some of them?

I've got some too, just liked this one more

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 15, 2013 at 7:19 AM

Morkel,
Just posted one, love the gruesome nature of it

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 16, 2013 at 10:43 PM

Very special moment captured here Morkel. I also like the B&W treatment.

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