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Who's on the menu?

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by Stephen Kaluski on April 24, 2012 at 5:32 AM
Who's on the menu?
This is one of the young cubs from the Duba pride. The pride has been split into two camps, the younger ones (about 8), compared to the four more mature ones, proving an issue when hunting, as neither pride can kill as often as they require due to lack of either numbers, or skill set, as they thrive primarily on the massive mobile kitchen, the buffalo.

Just love the expression of the cub, hence the tight crop to emphasis the direct look into camera, licking his lips. The clipped paw is not an issue, nor the vegetation as it was all deliberate. Sadly I am still awaiting news from the location as to wether this is the cub that was found dead or not - life is tough out in the bush.

Steve
Subject: Lion cub lying in shadow, licking it's lips (Panthera leo)
Location: Botswana
Camera: Canon MKIIV
Lens: 500f/4 - HH
Exposure: 1/800s at f/5.6 ISO400 0 stop compensation
Crop: Slight crop for presentation (original capture vertical)
Subject distance: 13.5m
Posted by David Sewell on April 24, 2012 at 6:20 AM
'Who's on the menu?'

Judging by that very direct stare I would guess that you were, Steve :biggrin: Mortality amongst lion cubs is very high, so if this is indeed the one that was found dead, it is simply the fate of most youngsters. Life is very tough indeed for lions.

David
Posted by David Taylor on April 24, 2012 at 11:52 AM
If indeed it is the dead one, at least its image has been recorded for posterity. Excellent, if somewhat poignant image, given the story behind it. The clipped paw niggles me a bit, but, hey, I didn't take the image. Photography can be such a subjective discipline.:eek: :cool::wink:

:toast: :toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Barry Southon on April 24, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Steve

A striking image the tongue position really adds a crucial factor for me which sets the subject in a higher level.

:wink:
Posted by Kim Connolly on April 24, 2012 at 1:25 PM
A very powerful image Steve, one you just want to keep on looking at. I hope he survived.
Posted by keith mitchell on April 24, 2012 at 1:55 PM
Steve it really is an image that holds your attention,see where your coming from with the crop and the excellent detail.
Thanks for your help with my image.
Keith.

:smile:
Posted by Nick Mckeown on April 24, 2012 at 3:02 PM
It's just a big soft pussycat! Pretty intense stare as with all top predators. Nicely timed capture Steve.

Nick. :smile: :wavey:
Posted by Matt Cole on April 25, 2012 at 3:12 AM
that's nice Steve. I like the strong eye contact and the tongue lick.

Matt :toast:
Posted by Phil Ellard on April 29, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Hi Steve, not sure if I am honest. Good eye contact and expression but the vegitation is very strong on the LHS makes it a touch unbalanced and not sure of the benifit of deliberately cutting off the paw. it is a good expression though :toast: :toast: