Love Hurts . . .

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 20, 2015171 views9 comments

A couple of Leopards mating on a mound in the Mara North Conservancy during the Masai Mara tour I led in September last year. This was a great sighting that lasted obver 3 hours presenting numerous photo opportunities. This is one of many images that were possible.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 20, 2015 at 1:39 PM

3 hours! Whoa! sad A great dynamic photo, at the peak (I presume) of action. Wonderful shot! devil

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on April 21, 2015 at 6:06 AM

Stunning image, Mario! The intense drama and action are captured exquisitely. The Leopards really pop from the background here--did you perhaps use fill flash on this image? It's almost impossible to tell based on shadows, but the overall lighting caught my eye and made me wonder, which led me to a closer inspection, which made me wonder some more. Just a genuine curiosity on my part. IF you did use flash, I'm thinking it might be just a LITTLE hot here. If you didn't, I'm wondering if you did something in post that is amplifying the natural light in a way that makes it appear slightly enhanced. I could be totally off my rocker here, Mario...it's 4am and I should be sleeping but was chasing gremlins on a B&W conversion issue on an image I was working on and needed a break. angel

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on April 21, 2015 at 7:50 AM

Great behavioural/action shot. It was nice of them to do their "business" on that slight rise against that killer background. My only nit is that I wish their eyes were visible. Hopefully, you have more images from this encounter. Wel ldone.

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on April 21, 2015 at 2:08 PM

Amazing behavioural capture. The leopards really pop off of the darker background.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on April 22, 2015 at 9:44 AM

Ditto, what Jerry said!

Jagdeep Rajput devil

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 22, 2015 at 5:59 PM

Spectacular behavioral shot Mario, the lighting looks great but it looks like it was taken after dark, I am curious what your techs were? devil

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 22, 2015 at 11:57 PM

The arched shape enhances composition. The rich colors stand out strongly against the darkened background, lending to the drama. I suspect you were able to get many compelling images from this encounter!

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 29, 2015 at 5:53 PM

Wow, just to see leopards mating and then to have them on a mound like this with great light and background separation - the stuff photographic dreams are made of! Nice one mate...