Caracal

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 6, 2014136 views10 comments

Although not endangered it is in my experience relatively rare to see one of these cats, especially in daylight.
This was taken in Addo Elephant National Park South Africa early one morning, this female had two cubs but the grass was just a bit too long and they were a long way off.
They really are quite red and are known in Afrikaans as Rooikat (red cat)

EOS 1D MkIV
500mm F4
F5.6
ISO 800
1/1000

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 7, 2014 at 12:39 AM

Nice photo of a very neat cat! It does appear just a tad soft. I would have liked to see the head with those ears in front of a less busy BG, but you work with what is given! Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on June 7, 2014 at 1:46 AM

I have seen these cats but I am yet to get a decent shot of one of them ……. Nice work Ken !

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 7, 2014 at 4:32 AM

John and Mario,

Thanks very much for your comments

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

Comment posted by Ellen deBoer on June 7, 2014 at 5:53 AM

I love the stare the cat gave you, Ken! It must have been fantastic to see not only an adult but some cubs as well! Great image!

Registered on March 16, 2006, 419 Posts, 2076 Comments

Comment posted by James Blue on June 7, 2014 at 10:01 AM

Ken, the Caracal is extremely endangered .....in my viewfinder anyway

Love the eyes on this kitty! I think I saw of 4 different Caracals in 2014 - and got nothing but butt shots to show for it - and come to think of it, one of them was with you in Ruaha.

Jim

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 7, 2014 at 6:20 PM

Quite an elusive subject. Beautiful portrait, especially with some side light hitting the face.

Max

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on June 7, 2014 at 11:02 PM

Thanks for sharing this one, Ken.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on June 9, 2014 at 11:47 AM

Hello Ken

A rare Sighting.

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 10, 2014 at 12:57 AM

Thanks for the further comments , much appreciated

James, The one in Ruaha certainly behaved like a normal Caracal, not at all cooperative

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on June 11, 2014 at 11:37 PM

Congrats on capturing this very elusive cat. I have only seen two in all my years of viewing, and, later, photographing wildlife. We have these in India, too, by the way!

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