Cheetah

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 9, 2014135 views8 comments

On our final day in Botswana, we were still hoping to nab some close cheetah photos (since we'd already nailed most of our other major wildlife goals). Fortune smiled upon us, as we found three brothers patrolling their territory. We were able to follow them for some time, and though there was no dynamic action involved (they had fed earlier in the morning), we had some nice opportunities to shoot them walking, napping and marking territory. All in pretty nice morning light. It was far and away the best cheetah shoot I've had during my Africa trips.

I liked the way this one ended up being framed by the complementary colors of the Mopane tree, even though the leaf spread isn't ideal. The orange eyes seem to go well with that foliage. Curious to hear what you guys think.

Canon 1DX
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 800
1/800th
f/7.1

Max

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on September 9, 2014 at 3:05 PM

I really like this, mate! Great framing and colours, and something different than "just a cheetah portrait in sweet light"

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on September 9, 2014 at 4:50 PM

Goodness, Max! This could be another of my favourites of yours (a rapidly growing list). Great light, great comp, love the intense look you captured through the foliage. Those eyes ares riveting! Absolutely no nits from me.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 9, 2014 at 10:01 PM

The light is absolutely gorgeous and the cat looks great. My first thought in looking at the thumbnail was that it was pretty cool how the dappled leaves in front mimicked the spots of the cheetah. I like that this is a bit out of the box and it works well.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 9, 2014 at 11:12 PM

This is really intense Max. I feel as if I am being hunted through the branches and leaves. Very nice job of framing this.

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 10, 2014 at 7:35 AM

Very nicely framed!
IMHO burning the foreground grasses will improve it further.
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Yun Gao on September 10, 2014 at 11:05 PM

Different and beautiful! I really like the foliage and eyes.

Registered on September 11, 2012, 267 Posts, 1621 Comments

Comment posted by Balakumar Kaushik on September 11, 2014 at 5:16 PM

Lovely light! Liked the OOF leaves framing the cheetah.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 98 Posts, 1403 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 12, 2014 at 1:57 AM

Love those eyes!!! Sweet photo of this beauty in great light Max. I like the natural frame of leaves too, a very pleasing composition.

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments