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Trophy Hunters Dream


Trophy Hunters Dream
Photo Information
Copyright: Willie Miles (willie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-30
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony PDX10
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-12-01 13:09
Viewed: 1560
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
NYALA (Njala) Tragelaphus angasii

Size : Shoulder height Males 1.1 met
Females 1 met
Weight Males 90 – 130kg
Females 55 – 70kg

Identification:

Males - Vary in color from slatey grey to dark brown with a series of up to 14 white stripes on the back., extending over the flanks. White spots on the thighs and belly as well as white markings on the throat, face and upper part of the limbs are distinctive.
They have a long shaggy dark brown or black hair on the upper parts of the hind legs, the tail, fringing the upperparts of the neck. The lower part of the legs is yellowish brown.
Males have keeled horns which spiral upwards from the head, bow outwards and are smooth towards the white pointed tips.

Females – Females are bright chestnut, dark rufous on the top of the muzzle and forehead with 18 white transverse stripes.

Habits and Habitation:
Nyala occur in groups of two or three which aggregate to form transient herds of up to 30.
Nyala are predominantly browsers but will graze when the grass is fresh and green.

A single calf is born after a gestation period of 220days.

Occurs only in the northeastern parts of the sub-region in dry savanna woodland or in areas where there is a mosaic of open ground, thickets and woodland.


The specimen captured here is one major trophy for any serious hunter. I have not hunted for game in many years and am quite content with a decision I took about 15 years ago.
Whilst shooting a hunting video, I found this nyala which i had been watching for some time. This is the best shot I got of him as he always had his head in the grass or behind some sticks and out of 50 shots, I decided to post this one of which I am particularly proud despite cutting off his one ankle over which I was quite angry with myself.

Hope you enjoy this beautiful animal


Shooting detail:

Camera - Sony DSr-PDX10P
No Flash
Tripod No
F/Length 43mm
F Number F/3.4
Exposure Time 1/215sec

Framed and resized for web.
miqra, Lourens, PDP, gerhardt, Esox, JeanMichel, christophe, papkin, Luc, red45 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice shot, Willie! I think the Nyala is one of our most beautifull antelope species. Well caught!!

Very good Willie.
Very nice antelope, good details and nice colours.
Great note.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • miqra Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 140 W: 3 N: 23] (151)
  • [2004-12-01 13:53]

I'm sure your shot was much more rewarding than the hunters you made the video off...this is an amazing specimen and just as good a shot, you are indeed a pro (I wonder how some of us on TN will fare in shooting a video...grin)
Excellent shot

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-12-01 14:25]

It certainly is a good looking animal. Great shot Willie and very good note. Thanks for posting.

Me making a video... I have to visit you first for some pointers. You don't need pointers for taking these stills though. Nice shot.

  • Great 
  • Esox Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 239 W: 20 N: 344] (972)
  • [2004-12-01 14:55]

Good composition and sharpness, and nice colours.
A great note to accompagnate it.
Nice work.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-12-01 14:58]

Gran captura de este magnífico Nyala.
Aunque la nitidez y el encuadre en este caso no sean óptimos, la belleza del animal y de su entorno ameritan su presentacion.

Great capture of this magnificent Nyala.
Although the clearness and the frame in this case are not optimal, the beauty of the animal and of its surroundings they deserves its presentation.

Very good animal photo, in the fashion of illustration books about wildlife. I like the framing in between two trees, showing also the environment. SA definitely looks like a paradise for photographers. That's the feeling coming out this shot. Well done, Willie.

Yes Willie very great shot ,good balance of the whites , contrast and color, great note

  • Great 
  • papkin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 78 W: 0 N: 96] (1580)
  • [2004-12-01 17:31]

Beautiful composition end lighting.

I haven't seen this species before, TFS. The composition is nice despite the missing ankle ( you are to hard on yourself). the POV is good and composition is very good.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2004-12-02 7:41]

Perfect note to a perfect shot. I like composition and 'african' colours of savannah. Good work!

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-02 10:41]

Wow hierdie is 'n mooi Nyala bul. This is a beautiful picture which is portraying him in his natural habitat. Very well done.

Thanks for posting

Very nice antelope, Good sharpness,good details and nice colours.Thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2004-12-03 11:55]

A great post, Willie. Picture and note.
Thanks a lot!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-01-17 22:51]

Willie, to me, a different animal. And it was captured well by you. Great composition and note, as well as DOF.

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