No Escape

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 6, 2014294 views14 comments

This is an image from one of my most epic sightings of my wildlife photography career. It all went down early one morning last November at a waterhole in Etosha, Namibia. I was the only vehicle to head to this waterhole at dawn. As I arrived, I drove behind 2 male lions running ahead towards a lone giraffe bull that was already dragging his legs from fatigue (the pride must have chased him down for a couple of hours already).

Soon, the big guy stopped and turned around to make his last stand. This is the first image I was able to capture as I stopped my SUV and positioned for the battle that was to ensue...

Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II @ 105mm
f4.0 | 1/250 SS | ISO-1400
Full frame

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on February 6, 2014 at 3:15 AM

OK, you've set the scene and the expectation is high.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 6, 2014 at 3:19 AM

Morkel,
I agree entirely with Martin's comment, although I am not sure I am really looking forward to further images

As a stand alone image , I think the tree in BG is not helpful

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

Comment posted by Oscar Benavides on February 6, 2014 at 3:23 AM

I can't wait to see more pictures of the sequence

I'm thinking what is going to happen but we will see what happens.

Oscar.

Registered on January 2, 2011, 12 Posts, 141 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 6, 2014 at 3:52 AM

Thanks guys.
Ken - better than a tree in the foreground!

This was at the start of DikDik drive at Klein Namutoni.

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

Comment posted by James Blue on February 6, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Epic Morkel! I'll bet it was a challenge (pain in the neck) to get a good composition.

Jim

Registered on June 16, 2013, 16 Posts, 144 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on February 6, 2014 at 10:45 AM

I can imagine the anticipation the combatants (and you) felt at this moment. Looking forward to seeing the rest.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on February 6, 2014 at 12:39 PM

You can feel the tension …. I can imagine how you were feeling behind the lens. Nicely composed image Morkel

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 6, 2014 at 2:51 PM

Amazing story and image to go along. I did not know that lions would go after a large giraffe, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on February 6, 2014 at 6:43 PM

Nicely done Morkel and a great teaser also....And the rest of the story is??.....

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 6, 2014 at 9:59 PM

I know the rest of this story is going to be amazing! Let's have it!

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 7, 2014 at 7:58 AM

Yeah! Post the rest already!!!!!

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 8, 2014 at 9:33 AM

That song "Anticipation" by Carly Simon is playing in all our minds. Remember the lyrics?

Anticipation, you're making me wait…..

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 9, 2014 at 9:06 AM

Hey Morkel,

Nice shot in itself (and even sans commentary one would be wondering about what was coming next) and have to say you have very nicely set the stage and created some pretty good anticipation! Well done...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 26, 2014 at 7:43 PM

Thanks everyone...

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