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'Meerkat'


'Meerkat'
Photo Information
Copyright: Henry Engelbrecht (henrye) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 51 W: 2 N: 70] (268)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-03-03
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D100, Sigma 50-500 F/4-6.4, Digital ISO 200, UV
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-10-19 17:23
Viewed: 2331
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A 'Meerkat' I came across at the Rhino and Lion Park near Muldersdrift.

Suricate (Suricata suricatta)

Afrikaans: Meerkat

Suricates spend a lot of their time on guard, looking out for predators. (Meerkat is a South African Dutch word meaning 'lake cat' since Meerkats are often found near stretches of water.) Suricates have a tan to grey coat with brown bands on the back and sides, the head and the throat are greyish white. They eyes are ringed with black and they have black rounded ears and a black tip to the tail. Like all mongooses, they have long slender bodes and short limbs.

Habitat: Savannah.

Distribution: Southern Africa (Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana).

Diet Description: Insects, spiders and other small animals, roots and bulbs.

Size: Length: 25-35cm, Tail: 17-25cm, Weight: 600-975g

Socialisation: Suricate (Meerkats) are diurnal. They live in colonies of up to 30. The groups consist of 2-3 family units comprising a male, a female and their 2-5 young. They usually inhabit the burrows of ground squirrels, which they enlarge by digging with their sharp claws.

When emerging from their burrows in the early morning, they tend to sunbathe before spending the day foraging for small prey. Adults take it in turns to stand on sentry, finding a convenient vantage point where they can watch for predators, such as eagles. If danger is sighted, the sentry gives a warning bark, and the meerkats flee to the safety of their burrows. If the threat is a snake, the adults will huddle together and drive the predator away. While sentries keep watch, other meerkats take care of the young.

Reproduction: Gestation is 11 weeks. The females give birth to 2-5 young in a nursery chamber of the burrow.

Source: www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/wildlife_suricate.htm
carper, scottevers7, Gudule, khris_rino, Luc, sAner, Eko, dew77, red45, thor68 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Gudule Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 248 W: 11 N: 288] (1204)
  • [2005-10-19 18:57]

You have introduced me to a new animal's species.
TFS, Henry.
I like the POV. Congratulations for wour good work.
Excellent focus and lighting.

JN.

The image is very pleasing with warm colors and blurred background. I like the black frame but the width could've been increased somewhat IMO. Well done and TFS!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-10-19 22:26]

Personal assessment of the photo: excellent. Perfect composition.
Power of evocation in me: strong.
Strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you Henry.

Hi Henry,
This is cute little fellow you have caught.
The POV and pose are very nice. Well composed and nice colours.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • Eko Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 187 W: 10 N: 38] (121)
  • [2005-10-20 3:26]

Hello Henry!
Wonderful capture.Sharpness,eyes,details and colors are perfect.Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-10-20 3:48]

Hello Henry!
Wonderful capture.I liked POV,expression on timons face,lighting,sharpness,colors and composition a lot.Very well done!TFS...:-)

Hi Henry,
Great shot of this fellow with funny pose,
excellent sharpness and POV, nice colour.
TFS!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-10-20 4:44]

Ha, ha, what a funny animal, Henry! Meerkats look great and your picture is no exception! Perfect, funny pose, great eyes. I also like colours - very 'desert' mood.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-10-20 6:09]

Excellent picture Henry! Everything is just right; exposure, colors, warm light, composition, details and POV & DOF. My only minor nit would be the slightly too tight framing in the top. Still this is a picture I would be unbelievably proud of! Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Hi Henry,
Superb shot on this Meerkat. The light here is perfect. Colors are warm, and detail is perfect. A good pose rounds out this great shot!
Scott

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2005-10-20 14:05]

sweet one Henry,
yes very good capture, and a look in the eyes, very good composition, good photo,
gr. Jaap

Hi Henry,
this is such a lovely animal and I like the pose he is laying there, funny.
The colours are so pretty and warm, also very good sharpness, thank you, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

oh my god, he´s jumping right at me!
wonderful shot, henry! :-)
i really like the big black eyes, always on a watch. well seen and captured superbly.
too bad we only have these funny animals in zoos here in germany.
take care, thor.

Great pose and POV. Lovely compo. Great shot.

Wel Wel
I wondered what has happened to you? Is it this long? I remember you popping in, saying, Callie I'm here as well, and the dissapearing the next day.
Good to see you are stil around and shooting.
I love this one's pose, neat and pleasing photograph, the yes captivating.
Ek is maar skaars hier, tyd is te min, ander dinge te veel.
Groetnis
Callie

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