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The Prince of Darkness


The Prince of Darkness
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-22
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Digital ISO 100, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mammals of Southern Africa, Great cats - Grandes felinos, Photographer's favourite, 40-49 Points (Chapter 5) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-06 5:13
Viewed: 1974
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is one of my favourite shots. This young leopard had a hard time in the 42C heat and decided to relocate closer to a waterhole. I caught him where he was walking at a stiff pace towards a very large tree next to a water hole. This is the clearest shot that I managed to get.

More about the Leopard
It is the most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores and also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the large cats and capable of killing prey much larger than itself.

Habitat
Dense bush in rocky surroundings and riverine forest are their favorite habitats, but leopards adapt to many places in both warm and cold climates. Their adaptability, in fact, has helped them survive the loss of habitat to increasing human settlement. Leopards are primarily nocturnal, usually resting during the daytime in trees or thick bush. The spotted coat provides almost perfect camouflage.

Behaviour
When a leopard stalks prey, it keeps a low profile and slinks through the grass or bush until it is close enough to launch an attack. When not hunting, it can move through herds of antelopes without unduly disturbing them by flipping its tail over its back to reveal the white underside, a sign that it is not seeking prey.
Leopards are basically solitary and go out of their way to avoid one another. Each animal has a home range that overlaps with its neighbors; the male's range is much larger and generally overlaps with those of several females. A leopard usually does not tolerate intrusion into its own range except to mate. Unexpected encounters between leopards can lead to fights.
Leopards growl and spit with a screaming roar of fury when angry and they purr when content. They announce their presence to other leopards with a rasping or sawing cough. They have a good sense of smell and mark their ranges with urine; they also leave claw marks on trees to warn other leopards to stay away.

Diet
As they grow, cubs learn to hunt small animals. The leopard is a cunning, stealthy hunter, and its prey ranges from strong-scented carrion, fish, reptiles and birds to mammals such as rodents, hares, hyraxes, warthogs, antelopes, monkeys and baboons.

Scientific Name
Panthera pardus

Size
About 28 inches at the shoulder

Weight
Up to 140 pounds

Lifespan
21 years in captivity

Habitat
Bush and riverine forest

Diet
Carnivorous

Gestation
Approximately 21/2 months

Predators
Humans

The camera settings:

Program Setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 309mm
F Stop: F/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/200sec
ISO: 100
Tripod: No
Flash: Diffused Off Camera ETTL.
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
White Balance: AWB

I also found an interesting story of how a leopard got its spots here
Crypton, Callie, radz, Fisher, willie, NitzanCK, Lourens, carper, mogens-j, extramundi, jossim, JeanMichel, red45, deud, Luc, danbachmann has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hi japie
c'est vraie que sont regard est diabolique mais il m'evoque plutot la grace et la puissance que l'obscurité ;)
tres belle photo avec en plus ce chardon qui vient agreablement completer la scene.
comme d'abitude bravo.

I'm really jealous you are living in a fantastic and picturesque region!!! I always look at yours photos like at the postcard or something inimaginable!

I would like to see a leopard in his own habitat just ones altrough. But... I'm sure a could't make such wonderful photo like you!
Congratulations!

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-01-06 6:16]

Superb shot Japie of this leopard. Excellent.
Janice

Composition: ****
Sharpness: ***
Color: ****
DOF: ***
POV: **

Very good shot, great colours.
Well done.
Tfs.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-01-06 7:53]

A good shot with excellent comp,and green b/g gives sharp shot.

Great shot Japie.
This is amazing with great details and colours, excellent pose. And a very good note to.
I'll be green of envy when I see you'r great shot of the beautiful african animals.
Great work.

The beautiful Leapard, one of my favorite cats. Heeeeeere, kitty, kitty. Japie, excelent capture of the rich surroundings and the cat on the prowl for a tasty meal.

Mike

  • Great 
  • AmiBe (68)
  • [2005-01-06 10:50]

I understand that it's one of your favorite shot ! I like the contrast, DOF and colors and the regard... Very nice, thank's !

Hi daar.. Dit lyk of hy wegkruip !!

It is a beautiful shot, I am so jealous. When i lived in South Africa, i didnt have a camera, and now i have one, but i live in Europe.. Life is not fair ;)

Very well done, and keep them coming !!

Elize

Very nice shot Japie!
The detail and quality is excellent, the composition is good.
A little bit more area on the left side of the photo would be better, I think.
Well done!

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2005-01-06 12:11]

Oi, Can't you give the guy some privacy? You can mos see what he wants to do. and that behind such a skimpy bush!
I really like that curling white tail!
He looks as if he is standing on a hidden ball - as I said to you, this one induces some serious green hues in my heart.
Well done!

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2005-01-06 12:50]

Aha, the elusive prince of Stealth. Superb Japie. What can I say? Stunning A+ in all departments.
Very good work

Excellent image, Japie!! Nice to see these cats in natural surroundings. Excellent work!!

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-01-06 14:12]

Great shot Japie,
I never try it, but it looks differcult to me wild photographic, very good capture here Japie, great photo, good note.

Not much of a hide-out for this size of a cat;-). Very nice shot with great colours Japie.

Hi Japie, what a wonderful level your are keeping day by day.
This time the bush seems to have left you a bit short of DOF but considering the distance and the parameters you had to use is a very good shot. What to say about the subject, just superb. And good note as always. Thanks for sharing.

Je crois que tu as un peu plus de lumière que moi au Québec. J'aime bien l'idée de laisser cet arbuste en plein milieu du sujet original.On voit bien les yeux du félin. Bonne définition et beaucoup de lumières. Bravo!

If there was a picture to illustrate the qualities of the Sigma 170-500, I would choose that one with no hesitation. Great focus, precise details and exposure. Colors are splendid with this green background. The young leopard is superb too. Very well done Japie.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-01-07 4:13]

Great, just great! You are still better and better Japie. This Leopard is excellent. Pose, face, soft fur, composition with greens... Top-class!

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2005-01-10 8:46]

very strong, colorful, sharp image!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-01-10 14:50]

Great post, but short critique.
Thanks Japie!

Great capture of a leopard in a natural setting. I like the rather unfriendly look. It's good she wasn't looking at you! It seems the point of focus is on the grass before the leopard, rather than the leopard, but with a telephoto it is not always easy.

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