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The Softy


The Softy
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2210 W: 268 N: 4098] (11541)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-09-19
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Great cats - Grandes felinos, Felidae of the world: Second series [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-09-20 4:29
Viewed: 1486
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

Sometimes referred to as the greyhound of cats’ being the fastest of these with it’s slender body and long legs.

They are between 1.8-2.2m long (tail inc.) and weigh between 30-72kg. Males are on average larger than the females. Cheetahs are easily identifiable by the long spotted white tipped tail, a fur coat with single black spots, small head and round face and the unmistaken tear-line running from the corner of the eyes to the corner of the mouth.

Their distribution throughout Africa is wide but very fragmented. They can be found in savanna, desert and semi-desert surroundings. Their main population centers in the Northern parts of Southern Africa and East Africa. Remnant populations still survive in the Middle East especially Iran. They prefer open areas to build up speed before they strike for a kill. It is said that this fastest land animal can reach speeds of over 120km/h. (Humans - 35km/h, so don’t try and outrun it. :))

A little know fact is that they are so fast that they literally nearly fly when on the run. During 50% of their stride no paws touch the ground. They go from 0-80km/h under 3 seconds. That’s as fast as a big motorcycle.

Cheetahs are classified as threatened

There are about 9000 surviving in the wild today. They are now extinct as a viable species in ten countries. And are bound to slide into extinction in another 11 countries. Viable populations are limited to four countries in Africa being Namibia, Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania.

I think that they can not be found outside zoo’s and nature reserves in South Africa anymore. This Cheetah is the official mascot of our provinces’ rugby team, aptly named the Cheetahs. It is the third largest cat in South Africa, only the Lion and Leopard are larger. The Cheetahs are the softies of the cats. They frequently loose their kills to Leopard, Hyenas and the like. I have even seen a Jackal (type of fox) take a kill from it. This one just woke up when I got there. I shot roughly about twelve yawns. I waited for half an hour for a nice portrait showing the eyes, maybe another time... They are also the only one of the big cats that has not shown man-eating tendencies.
kb10, Oldtree, japie, RAP, marhowie, CaptiveLight, PDP, Lourens, Signal-Womb, deud has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Robbrown: Loosing a toothgerhardt 1 09-20 06:55
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • kb10 Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 16 W: 0 N: 30] (155)
  • [2004-09-20 5:01]

beautiful pict
in 70's the jet set using cheetahs as cat, what a pity no one eat a big billionaire with his cuban cigare.

Did you have a cheetah in action??

Very nice colour and texture Gerhard, the bg works well too. Minnor nit is the far side of the tounge and far uppper cannine tooth which seem a little blured, I wonder if its ether a DOF prob, or a sharpening / blurring of the BG one?

Hi Gerhard,

wonderful shot, you took here. I've seen slow motions of such an animal and the jumps they do on high speed are unbelievable.

Thanks for posting and a very interesting note.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-09-20 7:58]

Very nice yawn, I can almost smell his breath. The note is very educational and informative. The image is sharp and the lighting good. Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-09-20 8:03]

Otro excelente retrato... buena perspectiva y encuadre para mostrar la expresividad del felino.
Completa con una nota instructiva.

Another excellent portrait... good perspective and frame to show the expressiveness of the feline.
Complete with an instructive note.

Gerhard, I suppose you could've alternately titled this one "Cat Flytrap"? ;-) Love this close-up especially the fang exposure. Excellent detail & sharpness. Outstanding supporting note. Very well done!!

Nice portrait of the cat, and good note.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2951 W: 366 N: 3779] (11763)
  • [2004-09-20 13:36]

Great portrait Gerhard, it's possible to see the texture on the tongue! Excellent pose and grat composition. Well done. Fantastic note as usual, thanks.

We are having a good collection of felines lately. This last two ones with open mouth are very lovely. Perfect note. Thanks Gerhard!

Excellent image, Gerhard! The detail in the fur and tongue of this cheetah is extraordinary! As usual you have an informative note too!!

  • Great 
  • hdl (10)
  • [2004-09-20 16:15]

Prachtige foto Gerhard! Een schitterend dier dat je heel mooi in beeld hebt gebracht. Details zijn heel goed gelukt. Ik wist niet dat de Cheetah zo bedreigd was. Bedankt voor al die nuttige informatie en voor het bezoekje aan TE! Groetjes.

What a wonderful varied gallery of wildlife you have here on TN Gerhard. And all taken in the heart of Africa, great stuff. This capture of the Cheetah has a very natural and relaxed looked to it. It also has the tack sharpness I strive for. Nice one.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 498 W: 2 N: 466] (2162)
  • [2004-09-21 7:41]

Nice! Sometimes i see in dangerous animals babies. This is one of this times.

A very nice, sweet and friendly scene here.
Nice colours and "sharpness" ha, ha !

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