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Go on - Fall Off!


Go on - Fall Off!
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 0 N: 4642] (13806)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-01
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 1D Mark II, Canon 70-200 f 2.8 L USM
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-04-20 6:13
Viewed: 1166
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this shot of a female Crowned Lemur in northern Madagascar at Ankarana Reserve, where I had gone to see the Tsingy (highly eroded limestone – similar to Ha-Long Bay, but smaller - SEE WORKSHOP). After trekking through the forest for about an hour we came to a viewpoint. It was necessary to balance on a loose rock on top of one of the pinnacles to get a good view. It was quite unstable – one of those where your legs turn to jelly – the fall was about 30feet onto jagged limestone. A few minutes after we arrived, a troop of Crowned Lemurs turned up – this is the dominant female. They seemed very interested and I am sure she just wanted to see me fall!

The crowned lemur is a medium-sized lemur with a distinctive chestnut-orange "crown" pattern on its head. This is the smallest species belonging to the genus Eulemur. The crowned lemur and some closely related species have extraordinarily marked colour differences. Males are overall a chestnut brown colour, with grey-brown upperparts and paler under parts whereas the female's body is grey, with creamy-white under parts. Its name, the crowned lemur, describes the conspicuous marking above the brow line and by the sides of the eyes. Both males and females bear these crowns, and in males it is a bold chestnut orange colour, with a grey-black patch on top of the head. The crown seen on females of this species is a smaller, chestnut brown V-shape. Both males and females of this species have beady bright orange eyes and a long, thick tail.

Its head and body length is about 33 cm (13"), and it weighs about 2 kg (4.4 lb). The crowned lemur is found in practically all types of forests, including dry forests and moist forests. It has also been found in deforested zones. During both the wet and the dry seasons, fruit forms the bulk of this lemur’s diet. In the dry season, flowers and young leaves are also taken, together with the occasional invertebrate.

The crowned lemur is mostly diurnal, although it usually has a night time activity period lasting up to two hours. It travels in all levels of the forest but seems to prefer the canopy level. However, it often forages in scrubby bushes and short trees and routinely descends to the ground to eat fallen fruit or to travel. In dry areas, it may enter deeply into caves in search of water. This lemur is found in groups that include adults of both sexes, together with infants and juveniles. The groups range in size from five to up to 15 animals, with groups of 5 - 6 being the norm. Although there is usually significant overlap between the home ranges of neighbouring groups, interactions between groups of crowned lemurs are rare.

Currently, the crowned lemur occurs in the northern forests of Madagascar, from the Ankarana Massif in the west to the Fanambana River in the east. The area of suitable habitat remaining is probably less than 1300 square kilometres (500 sq mi). Throughout much of its range, it is threatened by the loss and fragmentation of its habitat. Forest is being cleared and burned to make way for agriculture, and illegal logging also occurs on the periphery of several key reserves. In some areas crowned lemurs are also hunted for food or kept as pets.
asus_gps, Dan, horia, JoseMiguel, garyfudge, jaycee, delic, Adanac, MommaMiaX3, manyee, SelenE, ramthakur, wuta, bobcat08 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello James,

very nice spontaneous portrait of a funny animal, well done! TFS!

regards,
Igor

What eyes! Lovely shot! TFS.

Hi James.
Parades. Very pretty shot. Harmony of atmosphere, colours, lightning. Eyes has royal. Very well done. tfs. Stev

  • Great 
  • Dan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 112 W: 0 N: 343] (1687)
  • [2007-04-20 7:46]

Hi James, very interesting and funny this photo. Great colors and portrait of this lemur. A realy succes after a difficult trip.
Dan
(P.S. all dominant female are interested to see a falling man!)

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2496 W: 132 N: 7098] (22175)
  • [2007-04-20 7:50]

Hello James,
Fine capture of a female Crowned Lemur, the eyes being the focal point of this shot. Sharp and set in a pleasing comp.
Excellent informative note and WS.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2047 W: 212 N: 3658] (12174)
  • [2007-04-20 8:41]

Hi James

What a splendid shot! I really love the natural feel of this photo!
Those eyes are terrific and really stand out amazingly, while the details and textures especially on the fur are superb!
Good exposure and exceptional POV, too.
The WS photo is also sensational!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi James,
A great contrasting picture!
I like a lot the way red eyes stands out on the image, very impressive!
Very good the sharpness and colour saturation here, as well as the POV to compose the head between all that leaves.
Stunning also the view on the workshop.
Congratulations and thanks for share it.
My best regards,
JM

Terrific shot James,

The composition is super. I love the way she's peeping through theose big succulent leaves. The brightness of her eyes is mesmerising.

Gary

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 8 N: 4335] (14097)
  • [2007-04-20 10:41]

Hi James,

He is so cute! I love the way he is peeking through the leaves with that impish look on his face. Nice capture.

Jane

very cute, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-04-20 18:01]

Hi James,
A fantastic capture with red eyes peeking through the bush. I'm impressed by the sharpness. Very well done.
Best wishes,
Hakan

Nice capture of this Lemur . Color is great , and I like the POV . It's too bad we may not see much more of these amazing creatures . TFS , Kevin .

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 1 N: 3970] (13358)
  • [2007-04-20 21:18]

Hello James,
Splendid composition with great colors and sharp details, beautiful subject captured superbly, thanks for sharing.
Rick

Hello James, :)

Another wonderful shot from one of your many Treks! Excellent sharpness, and eye contact. Rich and vibrant colours, I love the tight crop! Thank you for sharing, take care.

Ange

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-20 23:08]

Hello James

A really cute critter,I like how he is peeking through the leaves.Excellent eye contact with sharp details.Excellent focus.A wonderful shot.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3068 W: 231 N: 5840] (19618)
  • [2007-04-21 3:55]

Hello James,
I don't think I have ever seen this species of lemurs before.
Quite beautiful facial markings, especially that "crown".
Fantastic eye contact. Details are sharp and well exposed.
Great POV and composition. I like the way she is peeking out from the foliage.
TFS. : )

Hi James, wonderful lemur with splendid colors and great deatails, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2307 W: 59 N: 3688] (11816)
  • [2007-04-21 8:12]

Hi James,
Very nice capture. The eye contact is really good,she was very interested in you. Doesn't look like she wanted to see you fall though :o)
I also liked the eroded limestones in the WS a lot, it must be an amazing place.
TFS
Have a nice weekend
Selen

A lovable capture of this cute Lemur, James. Hiding behind leafy shrubs, it stares at you with those curious and beautiful eyes.
A wonderful capture, indeed.
I appreciate your very informative note on these lovely creatures and worry about their future.
Best regards,
Ram

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 870 W: 2 N: 606] (2034)
  • [2007-04-21 13:46]

Hello James , A Very lovely shot from the Lemur ,great compositie details colours sharpnes and eye contact , very good tfs ,Greetings Teunie .

Great shot James. Those eyes on the lemur definitely get your attention, I like how he's peering out of the foliage at the viewer. :)

Hi James,

Indeed, what a eyes!! And then the colours of that female. Wonderful. It is a very contrast between the green leaves and that little animal. Nice composition. POV, DOF and BG are oké. Interesting info. Regards and TFS Bob

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