Nossob Cubs

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 16, 2014122 views7 comments

Hey folks - just back from 8 days in one of my favourite self-drive safari locations, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari desert.

We found these two lion cubs and their mother one morning after a heavy downpour the previous night (summer rains had started), playing and being all curious in the Nossob riverbed. This photo was taken in the far north of the South African section of the park (there's also a significant portion in Botswana), an area few people get to even when the park gets busy. We couldn't get closer but I liked framing the environment with them in the shot...obviously this works better at high resolution than at web-sized posting.

Techs:
Nikon D810
Nikkor 400mm f2.8 VR
1.2x crop mode
f4.0 | 1/1000 SS | ISO-720

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 16, 2014 at 9:54 PM

Neat pose with the youngster holding onto the tree like that Morkel

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on December 16, 2014 at 10:54 PM

Welcome back! I do like how the sunlit cub is framed by those two trees. Had to hunt for the shy one in the larger version.

Max

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on December 17, 2014 at 12:51 AM

Morkel,
For me it was a great pity that you could not get a little closer. Whilst the environment is nice, the subjects are a little to small. It is quiet up north but with few roads and no off-roading it is a little difficult.

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

Comment posted by James Blue on December 17, 2014 at 7:50 AM

Morkel, I tend to like shots with more habitat, so this appeals to me. In my opinion, this type of framing is far more interesting, especially when viewed large. The close-up's, framed for web viewing, or more often, cropped for web viewing - get too much acclaim...but I guess we all do it.
James

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on December 17, 2014 at 8:09 AM

Nice composition Morkel, such a shame that the second cub is hidden behind the tree.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 18, 2014 at 9:55 AM

Large version presents significantly better. This is pleasing, although I had to look twice to see the second lion.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 18, 2014 at 4:05 PM

Thanks folks. Have to say I agree with you, James, I enjoy creating a sense of environment way more than close-up shots and portraits, but each to his own eh...

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