Sunset Leopards

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 7, 2014182 views11 comments

I took this one many moons ago and although not technically perfect it still is amongst my favourite Leopard shots.
Taken late into sunset with nothing other than a bar on the vehicle to brace against.
Unfortunately due to the "blindness" of our driver I was unable to get any shots with better head tun from the cub.
Taken in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
ISO 800
F5.6
1/100 (far too slow)
EV +0.33
It really was this red

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on February 7, 2014 at 8:42 AM

Wonderful rich colours Ken. Mother looks terrific but it is a shame the cub has such an awkward head angle. The tight crop works well here

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

Comment posted by James Blue on February 7, 2014 at 9:46 AM

Man, that's some fantastic light on these two beauties. I can see where a more astute driver could have positioned the vehicle for a better angle. Would love to have had a clean close up of moms eyes in that light...they're really glowing.

Jim

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

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on February 7, 2014 at 11:40 AM

Hi Ken ! Really like the golden light in this image. At 1/100sec and 500mm one fine shot IMO.

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

Comment posted by Joe James on February 7, 2014 at 9:46 PM

Lovely light! The lighting and the relaxed look of the leopards really makes this one Ken.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 8, 2014 at 1:36 AM

Thanks everybody for your kind comments

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on February 8, 2014 at 10:55 AM

Love their fluid bodies n positioning. But grasses are not cooperative here.
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 8, 2014 at 7:18 PM

For me, the position of the cub is ideal, creating a backwards "S" leading line to the key focal point of the adult's face! Excellent warm color is a great plus, but I think the sinuous lines of their bodies make this a keeper composition.

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 9, 2014 at 9:19 AM

Hi Ken,

Very sweet light and the relaxed pose works well for me. I was about to say "was it really this red?" when I saw your comment!

While the shot might have been better with slightly more of a head turn out of the cub (to get that added eye contact), it's strong as is. It does feel a little tight on either side to me - so if you do have more room on either side it might be worth bringing a little of it back (I'm guessing you don't).

Cheers...thanks for sharing...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 9, 2014 at 3:24 PM

Glorious light and tones here. Ditto Brad on the space either side, assuming full frame with the 500mm, still a lovely shot.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 10, 2014 at 10:19 AM

Thanks for the further comments as Brad guessed I was limited by fixed focus, but bo 200-400mm way back then

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 11, 2014 at 10:21 AM

I can see why this is one of your favorites, wonderful light and detail, excellent shot Ken.

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