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Burchell's zebra


Burchell's zebra
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2637 W: 76 N: 6667] (26614)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Kruger National Park
Theme(s): Vanderschelden's Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-28 11:35
Viewed: 889
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 54
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Plains Zebra is highly social and usually forms small family groups consisting of a single stallion, one, two, or several mares, and their recent offspring. Bachelor males either live alone or with groups of other bachelors until they are old enough to challenge a breeding stallion.


A stallion forms a harem by abducting young mares from their families. When a mare reaches sexual maturity she will exhibit the estrous posture which invites the males. However she is usually not ready for mating at this point and will hide in her family group. Her father has to chase off stallions attempting to abduct her. Eventually a stallion will be able to defeat the father and include the mare into his harem.

A stallion will defend his group from bachelor males (as well as predators), unless the male grew up with the stallion. At that point the stallion will allow one mare for his "friend." When challenged, the stallion would issue a warning to the invader by rubbing nose or shoulder with him. If the warning is not heeded, a fight breaks out. Zebra fights often become very violent, with the animals biting at each other's necks, heads or legs, wreastling to the ground, and occasional kicking. Sometimes a stallion will lay still on the ground like he's surrendered but once the other male lets up the stallion will strike and continue the fight.

Mares exist in a hierarchy with the alpha female being the first to mate with the stallion and being the one to lead the group. When new mares are added to the group, they are met with hostility by the other mares. Thus the stallion must shield the new mares until the aggression subdues.

Zebras strengthen their social bonds with grooming. Members of a harem nip and scrape along the neck, shoulders and back with their teeth and lips. Mothers and foals groom the most often followed by siblings. Grooming shows social status and eases aggressive behavior.

Plains zebra groups often come together in large herds and migrate together along with other species such as wildebeests. Wildebeests and zebras generally coexist peacefully and will alert each other to predators. However in one case, a gang of young zebra stallions isolated and harassed a wildebeest calf while keeping the mother at bay. The zebras chased and bit the young calf repeatedly. One zebra even trampled over it. The group eventually lost interest and the calf survived A similar incident happened when a lone wildebeest calf wandered too close to a gang of stallions and was kicked to death.

Camera Model Name
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time
15/10/2007 07:29:29
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/640Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F6.3
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
+2/3
ISO Speed
250
Lens
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length
400,0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard
NinaM, wideload, valy67, boreocypriensis, Evelynn, lovenature, eqshannon, rcrick, angela926, waylim, Jamesp, Karin, Adanac, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
  • [2008-02-28 11:39]

Hi Annick, we are neighbours today. Your zebra portrait is breathtaking, as we say in French Canadian slang: hostie qu'elle est belle cette photo! Sorry for the swearing but it came out my mouth by itself when I opened the thumbnail. I have nothing to comment except that the texture of the hair of the zebra is fantastic, I wish I could put my fingers into it. The background brings deepness and volume to the zebra. Thanks a lot!

Francine

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2008-02-28 11:42]

Hi Annick. Firstly interesting notes about the male Zebra. your sharp focusin in the one has given fine detail in all areas . the hair and eye is spot on. with good markings in the mane. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Zeno Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 475 W: 0 N: 926] (7973)
  • [2008-02-28 11:49]

Hi Annick,

This is a beauty!! The zebra is posing and he or she knows its beautiful. TFS.

regards,
Zeno.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2041 W: 6 N: 2025] (13275)
  • [2008-02-28 11:57]

Hola Annick,
precioso retrato,
detalles y nitidez...
precioso animal.
saludos

Hi Annick,
I love this picture. Perfectly sharp and a very nice composition.
TFS Tatjana

Hi Annick,
Stunningly beautiful and razor sharp detail makes you want to reach out and touch it.
Very nice work and TFS.

Regards
Terry.

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1318 W: 52 N: 1782] (5276)
  • [2008-02-28 13:00]

Hello Annick !
This is a wonderfu portrait of the zebra ! I love his pose and his look, he seems to be very curious. :-) Excellent details, nice natural colors, wonderful composition and POV, beautiful blurred BG, and of course the zebra itself is very beautiful - I love all these perfect stripes. Very well done !
Valerie.

Hallo Annick,

Mooi portet van die zebra, hij of zij kijkt precies de goede kant op.
Hij is goed scherp waar het zijn moet en mooi van kleur.

groet Gert

Bonsoir Annick
Sans doute un de vos meilleurs portrait de zèbre ! J'aime beaucoup la lumière et la qualité des détails. Merci du partage.
Antoine.

Wonderful lighting on this handsome fellow... along with beautiful background, wonderful details, sharpness, color and exposure. There, I don't think I left anything out except the A+.

Evelynn : )

Hello Annick
Very professional looking, you could win an award for this beautiful portrait. You've captured the essence of what a young zebra is all about, including where he lives.
TFS Janice

I do believe I have seen a posting or two of this..perhaps from you...I do knw you have done similar..I added one tomy fav's...Very nice...Your work shows how much we all have to learn..
Bob

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 627 W: 42 N: 1153] (3730)
  • [2008-02-28 18:14]

Hi Annick,
Just a stunning shot, the detail is exceptional, right down to the whiskers on the chin, amazing, love the tight crop, perfect POV, perfect background with just a hint of green and gold, wonderful, all the best Cheers Rick :)

Hello Annick
Great capture, wonderful colors and contrast, excellent sharpness and depth of field,very good composition and pov, well done!
Angela

Annick, You're the most consistent in all the animal photographs, I have nothing but complements. Every stripes, every strands are Perfect visible. I don't even remember seeing that much detail with zebras in front of me when I was there. I have much admiration for you.
Way

  • Great 
  • lizzie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 0 N: 635] (2843)
  • [2008-02-28 19:38]

Hi Annick,

Amazing picture, the light is gorgeous on him, we can appreciate such sharpness and fantastic details in this image. He looks almost alive on my screen. Congratulations!

Lise

  • Great 
  • vral Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 0 N: 159] (690)
  • [2008-02-28 20:45]

Hello Annick,

Wonderful portaite of the Plains Zebra. Technically perfect shot.

Thanks for sharing

-vral

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 514 W: 8 N: 1099] (4072)
  • [2008-02-28 21:20]

Hello Annick,
It's late and I'm running out of time
So I'm just marking today.. Congratulations

Everton

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-02-28 22:33]

Hi Annick

An excellent POV for his portrait shot, with outstanding colours and detail. The isolation from the BG is excellent - you almost achieve a 3D effect. Well observed and captured.

James

Hi friend Annick,

Another lovely portrait capture of this beauty firend! Great Composition, superb sharpnes and lighting. I always like the interesting colour-pattern of zebras.
TFS and Cheers,

Bayram

Wow, Annick, the detail you cature in your photos is awesome. I can't quite fathom out why I can't take photos as good as this. You continue to set a very high standard for the rest of us.TFS.
Mike

  • Great 
  • Karin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268] (2089)
  • [2008-02-29 4:37]

Dag Annick,
Een prachtexemplaar! Hij heeft een mooie droge snuit, je voelt gewoon de zachtheid ervan op je foto. Mooie vierkante presentatie en verder technish perfect zoals altijd.
Het laatste deel van je info vindt ik bijzonder interessant. Ook bij dieren zijn jonge mannetjes vandalen ;-) hun hormonen maken ze agressief. (ik heb niets tegen mannen hoor)
TFS

Hello Annick
Superb photo with good light and nice BG
Albert

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1048 W: 1 N: 4156] (13964)
  • [2008-03-01 7:21]

Hello Annick,
Fascinating notes my friend and the Image is of superior quality, showing us this amazing animal up close. It almost looks sad here, thank you Annick.
Rick

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 107 N: 4804] (21334)
  • [2008-03-01 10:41]

It's so great that it looks like it was shot in a studio! Very well done again Annick on this fantastic portrait of the Zebra. Thanks!

Mario

Hello Annick! Amazing shot. Wonderful atmosphere! Cheers!

Hi Annick

Lovely light in this shot. Nice exposure with clear sharp details. Lovely camera. A pleasure to view. :-)

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