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is it a cheetah


is it a cheetah
Photo Information
Copyright: Reina Heuven (reina) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 1 N: 321] (1990)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm ED
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-12-14 14:56
Viewed: 817
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
thanks loot for the great workshop, its a bit dark.
is it a Cheetah...

It's not difficult to identify a cheetah when it isn't running, provided we know its other characteristics. It is gold with black spots, like a leopard, but it also has unique black "tear marks" beneath its eyes. Its head is small, its body lean, its legs unusually long -- all bodily characteristics critical to a runner. And the cheetah is the only member of the cat family that has non-retractable claws. Other cats retract their claws to keep them sharp, like carving knives kept in a sheath --the cheetah's claws are designed not for cutting but for traction. This is an animal biologically designed to run.

Its chief food is the antelope, itself a prodigious runner. The antelope is not large or heavy, so the cheetah does not need strength and bulk to overpower it. Only speed. On the open plains of its natural habitat the cheetah is capable of catching an antelope simply by running it down.

While body design in nature is utilitarian, it also creates a powerful internal drive. The cheetah needs to run!

Despite design and need however, certain conditions are necessary if it is to attain its famous 70 mph top speed. It must be fully grown. It must be healthy, fit and rested. It must have plenty of room to run. Besides that, it is best motivated to run all out when it is hungry and there are antelope to chase.

If a cheetah is confined to a 10 X 12 foot cage, though it may pace or fling itself against the bars in restless frustration, it won't run 70 mph.

IS IT STILL A CHEETAH?

If a cheetah has only 20 mph rabbits to chase for food, it won't run 70 mph while hunting. If it did, it would flash past its prey and go hungry! Though it might well run on its own for exercise, recreation, fulfillment of its internal drive, when given only rabbits to eat the hunting cheetah will run only fast enough to catch a rabbit.

IS IT STILL A CHEETAH?

If a cheetah is fed Zoo Chow it may not run at all.

IS IT STILL A CHEETAH?

If a cheetah is sick or if its legs have been broken, it won't even walk.

IS IT STILL A CHEETAH?

And finally, if the cheetah is only six weeks old, it can't yet run 70 mph.

IS IT, THEN, ONLY A *POTENTIAL* CHEETAH?

REFERENCE FOR THIS NOTE:HTTP://WWW.STEPHANIETOLAN.COM/IS IT A CHEETAH
Stephanie Tolan is a writer who used the cheetah in here article as a methaphor for the highly gifted child.
More of here work is on here website www.stephanietolan.com
loot, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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To loot: best wishesreina 1 01-01 03:37
To loot: is it a cheetahreina 1 12-15 12:19
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Critiques [Translate]

Very relaxed leapord! I love big cats and am in constant awe of them. Terrific notes by the way!

  • Great 
  • medio Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 27 W: 2 N: 35] (170)
  • [2007-12-14 15:57]

Hola reina,

una buena toma, el primer plano de la cabeza del guepardo es preciosa, un encuadre y un enfoque muy buenos una gran foto!!!
saludos José

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-12-14 20:08]

Hello Reina

A beautiful capture of this cheetah.
The texture and detail in the fur is lovely.
The POV and DOF are well handled.
Very good natural colour.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1399 W: 120 N: 5170] (22817)
  • [2007-12-14 20:48]

Hello Reina, nice tight crop of this beautiful animal ! Well composed and great technique. Thanks !

Mario

Hi Reina,
A lovely capture of this leopard portrait. Excellent details and composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Reina

A lovely tight cropped shot of a very pensive cheetah. I did a quick workshop to bump up the saturation and sharpness a little bit, but this is just a slight enhancement of an otherwise beautiful photo.

May I just point out though; this is definitely a Cheetah - Acinonyx jubatus and not a Leopard - Panthera pardus. Although you have attached interesting notes to this posting, it has to do with a leopard and is not applicable to a cheetah.

Anyway, well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. Critique update: Thanks Reina, the new notes are great and it is a very important aspect you highlighted about cheetah life - it needs to be able to run. It is a cardinal sin to imprison this animal in a small cage. It was built to run (and run fast) and it needs space to be able to do that.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3139 W: 148 N: 4732] (15289)
  • [2007-12-18 10:25]

Hi Reina.
I like your very impressive portrait of so cute cat. Despite I like the Loot’s WS I think level of sharpness of your picture is more suitable for portraits. You have reflected the mood of the animal greatly/ This is key point of the image. My best wishes and compliments.
Alexei.

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