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Acinonyx jubatus


Acinonyx jubatus
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2712 W: 78 N: 7405] (30145)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-12
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Namibia, a photographer's dream
Theme(s): Cheetahs in Namibia, CeltickRanger's favorite African animal photos 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-01-24 4:59
Viewed: 2005
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is another portrait of a cheetah. If I’m not mistaken this particular cheetah was quite old. His eyes were looking a bit tired compared to the other adults. It was an age indication, I thought. And yes the ranger confirmed this and said the cheetah was rather old.

It’s difficult to distinguish different cheetahs, I think. However some people apparently are able to recognize a certain cheetah very quickly and I’m not talking about the ranger’s experience. Personally I could differentiate basically through the eyes and the color of the fur. Not good enough..)-:

Surprisingly these animals are also difficult to find even in a fenced area. I was in a jeep with a guide and we were supposed to find 6 cheetahs. We only could find three of them. Calling them, foodstuff, driving and searching…no success.


About the Cheetah Conservation Fund:

My 'expectations' were that I could touch these animals and to see and photograph them while they were running and this wasn’t possible. No problem.:-)

Firstly you watch a video and visit an exhibition about the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

In my own visitor words it’s more or less as follows…

Namibia is cheetah land. But also farmer land. Mum cheetah kills cattle to feed the cubs. Farmer kills mum ‘cause mum kills cattle. Farmer finds the cubs. Farmer brings pups to Cheetah Conservation Fund. If the cubs aren’t old enough and weren’t able to learn the hunting skills, they stay in the Cheetah Conservation Fund until they die 'cause they don't have survival chances in the wild.

The CCF also develops policies together with all the stakeholders (for instance farmers) in terms of conservation of the cheetah in the wild. I‘m thinking of the implementation of dogs, fences or not, financial compensation,…

There was also some kind of cheetah hospital. A shop for the dollars. You can watch the feeding process.

Of course I was there to photograph the cheetahs in the first place. Couldn’t wait to get in the jeep for the drive. Theory is homework;-). Probably a photographer's aggression.

Anyway if you want to know more about the Cheetah Conservation Fund, I recommend to visit their site. Or even better…go!

Kind regards to all the people of the Cheetah Conservation Fund and I wish them a lot of success. Thanks!

We continue with wikipedia’s description of the cheetah already started in a previous post…

Some cheetahs also have a rare fur pattern mutation: cheetahs with larger, blotchy, merged spots are known as 'king cheetahs'. It was once thought to be a separate subspecies, but it is merely a mutation of the African cheetah, cheetah are only found in Africa. The 'king cheetah' has only been seen in the wild a handful of times, but it has been bred in captivity.
The cheetah's paws have semi-retractable claws(known only in three other cat species - the Fishing Cat, the Flat-headed Cat and the Iriomote Cat) offering the cat extra grip in its high-speed pursuits. The ligament structure of the cheetah's claws is the same as those of other cats; it simply lacks the sheath of skin and fur present in other varieties, and therefore the claws are always visible, with the exception of the dewclaw. The dewclaw itself is much shorter and straighter than other cats.
Morigann, eng55, maurydv, flashpoint, pvs, crs, schnoopie, red45, nglen, CeltickRanger, samandi, Adanac, peter_stoeckl, ferranjlloret has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To red45: thanks Greg,vanderschelden 2 01-24 11:49
To pvs: Hello Paulvanderschelden 1 01-24 07:43
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello annick,
This is a beautiful portrait of this old cheetah with a feeling of sadness in eye. Excellent composition with fine details and sharpness.
Regards
Pierre

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 290 N: 3944] (13334)
  • [2009-01-24 5:43]

Hello Annick,
this is a unique portrait - very expressive. 'Besides that' it is technically perfect.
Light, exposure and colours make it a pleasant and natural picture of the cheetah.
Best wishes, Peter

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1130 W: 32 N: 1137] (3508)
  • [2009-01-24 6:20]

Hi Annick,
Beautiful portrait.It's too close and well detailed.Sharpness,curoius look and tight framing is perfect.Excellent note too!
Thanks for posting.

Hi Annick,
what a very beautiful portrait of this Cheetah, i like the nice close composition with the eye contact; superb sharpness and lighting; a very very great picture.
TFS. Best regards.
Maurizio

hi Annik!
impressive quality of this portrait and the beauty of the cheetah...compliments
sERGIO

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2009-01-24 7:07]
  • [+]

Ha Annick,

Een wederom fraaie close up met goede kleuren en details,ja niet eenvoudig om deze te identificeren,daar het meestal al een probleem is om er een te vinden,ik probeerde je link ,hie kwam ik op je blog uit,maar denk ik niet op het artikel waar je naar verwijst,in ieder geval weer een mooi plaatje,prettig weekend,

Paul

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2009-01-24 8:04]

Hello Annick,

This is a very good portret. You have captured so well the mood of the animal. Viewer can feel the concentration of the cheetah. Light and colors are very nice being very natural.

Congratulations,
Cristian

Hi Annick,
great portrait of this cheetah. His gaze is intimidating...
I like the close composition. Accents its eyes.
Technically there isn't much to say, like always. Just great ;)
Very interesting notes, too.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Tatjana

hallo Annick
een prachtige opname
super scherp
wat kijkt hij kwaad !
groetjes lou

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2384 W: 94 N: 5493] (17500)
  • [2009-01-24 11:07]

Hallo Annick,
Prachtig portret in perfecte scherpte. Zo scherp hoort het te zijn, maar mijn foto is dat vandaag niet. Mooie doordringende maar inderdaad vermoeide blik in de ogen. Schitterend licht overigens, wat leidt tot erg mooie natuurlijke kleuren. Goede diepte in de foto.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2009-01-24 11:18]
  • [+]

Hello Annick!

Big wow! This portrait is fantastic. I love all cats and this one is no exception. Agree with you - it looks rather tired or maybe bored by another jeep full of tourists :-) Great photo with excellent note.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-01-24 13:27]

Hi Annick. This one looks as if he is looking down your lens. The look in the eyes and the detail in the fur is first class. With such natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Annick

Nice shot, focus and colours, You had the same problem with strong sunlight on the top of animal's head and you did very well.

Best regards

hello Annick

a superb portrait photography of this old Cheetah,
shot with fine frontal POV, i love the le cadrage sérré,
beautiful luminosity, great sharpness and details,
and a expressive glance of this older wild cat on you, TFS

Asbed

Namibia, a photographer's dream! I'm dreaming too about being attacked by a tired, angry Cheetah! Lol!

What a nice cat he is... Look at those eyes! They inspire respect; respect to the king cat! This is a wonderful creature! Cheers,
Claudine

Salaam Annick
Woooow Very nice Portrait and nicely colour
GooD job and sharp photo
Well done .. TFS
-- SADEGH --

Hi Annick,
A wonderful close up of this Cheetah.
As you say,the eyes do look very tired.
Excellent detail and a good informative note as usual.
Thanks for this.
Cheers
Steve

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2009-01-25 5:44]

Hello Annick,
I looked very long and hard at this outstanding portrait. There is almost a sadness in his eyes, like you say in the notes he looks tired and near his end. Still he has great beauty though and your camera work has captured that superbly too. Great work as always my friend. Thank you.
Rick

Hello Annick,
mesmerizing portrait! Strictly frontal approach, direct eye contact and conspicuous face markings create an enormous impact. Finest details in well shaping sunlight. Thank you!
With best regards,
Peter

Hello Annick,
Anothe excellent portrait of this cheetah. Well comosed. Best regards and TFS.
Ferran

  •      
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-01-28 3:14]

Another brilliant portrait of a Cheetah!
Those eyes are amazing.
Very good detail in the fur.
Excellent lighting.

Very well done,

Joe

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