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The ideal pet... ?


The ideal pet... ?
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1976 W: 259 N: 4103] (11585)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-10-09
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV-Guard (77mm)
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-02 23:41
Viewed: 2037
Points: 54
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Leopard Tortoise
Geochelone pardalis

The Leopard tortoise is a large and attractively marked tortoise which has a wide distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, including recorded localities in southern Sudan, Ethiopia, Eastern Africa (including Natal), Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Southwest Africa. In this species males may attain a greater size than females, a characteristic shared with certain other members of the genus Geochelone, including Galapagos tortoises. Large examples may be 60 cm (over 2 feet) long and weigh over 35 kg (about 80 lbs.).


This tortoise favours semi-arid, thorny to grassland habitats. It is, however, also found in some regions featuring a higher level of precipitation. Not surprisingly, given its propensity for grassland habitats it grazes, extensively upon mixed grasses. It also favours the fruit and pads of the prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), succulents and thistles.

It captivity it is a common error to feed too much 'wet' food such as lettuce, tomatoes and fruit; in reality this tortoise requires a coarse, high fibre diet. Feeding excessive fruit or 'soft' foods frequently leads to repeated flagellate and other gut problems such as colic, most probably as a result of increased gut motility.

It is an animal that people love to pick up in the wild and take home as pets. One does need a permit to keep them as pets. But I strongly suggest that they are better off in the wild than in ones backyard.

The surgery went well and I am recovering nicely at home. I am catching up on my PP work and some critiques here on TN.
ellis49, iglootrek, manyee, TAZ, coasties, sandpiper2, scottevers7, marhowie, Fisher, liquidsunshine, red45, Luc, livios, hummingbird24, dew77, extramundi, wallhalla15, sAner has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Gerhard,
It's good news to hear that you are ok and all went well.
The details are very good, nice colours are good composition.
I lke the POV and the DOF, the tortoise is well seen from the BG. And the mirror effect are amazing, maybe little too tight
under the tortoise.
Great work, my friend.

Hi Gerhardt,
Nice reflexion effect !!!
Perfect focus, nice colors too.
Hope you have a nice recovery... welcome back to TN :-)

Nicest leopard tortoise shot I have ever seen. Beautiful composition and light.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6159] (21044)
  • [2005-11-03 2:27]

What a colorful tortoise. I once saw one at the zoo, and was very impressed with its markings. This is a great shot, Gerhard, wonderful POV and warm light. Very sharp details and the reflection is great. Fantastic job and TFS. : )
Very happy to hear that you are on the mend. Can't wait to see more of your pics, now that you are back. : )

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-11-03 3:26]

Wow ! What a good and interesting shot ! Congratulations Gerhard and thanks for sharing.

" the Life is so rare in the universe and the Nature so precious, take care of them! " Christian...

Hi Gerhard

Sorry for the quick critique, but I need to get some other work done before bed time. Great shot. Very well composed. The depth of colour is great and the exposure spot on. Sharpness and detail are both excellent. As for that reflection...... perfect. Thanks.

Hope have a speedy recovery from the op and you get back out into the bush very soon.

I suppose that if you had this guy as a pet, it wouldn't run away far!

Nice shot, especially the reflection. Great composition and POV as usual. Yet another fascinating African animal I have not seen before TFS. Chris

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  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
  • [2005-11-03 5:23]

HI Gerhard, he may be the ideal pet, but I think I'd prefer to see him in the wild.
The colours are superb, and so is your composition. The reflection looks good too. Well done.
And good to see you on the mend - not too long I hope!

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  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-11-03 7:34]

Félicitations pour l'éclairage et le reflets.

Merci pour l'envoie!

Hi Gerhard,
A superb shot! The light is beautiful here. Colors are outstanding. Sharp detail with perfect DOF. A great reflection in the water really makes this one stand out. Glad to hear you are well!
Scott

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  • ryyck Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176] (994)
  • [2005-11-03 9:31]

Wonderful shot!!!

Cool reflection with very nice warm light & color here Gerhard. Excellent sharpness, detail & DOF. Excellent note. Well done.
Glad to hear everything went well and ya got out of that place quickly. I see alot of charts where people pick up what is called nosocomial infections while in the hospital..Lots of germs running around in hospitals most people aren't aware of..Heal quickly my friend.

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  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-11-03 12:08]

Hi Gert,

Nice to hear all went well, and you are recovering well.
Excellent shot and well done on the composition and details. The lighting is warm, perfect for this one. excellent work.

Mike

Hi Gerhard

I like the reflexion effect and the focus and the sharpness are perfect. Perfect shot. Well done. I am glad to hear that you are recovering nicely.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2005-11-03 13:39]

What a lovelyu reflection you got here.Very nice shot!!

Good to have you back Gerhard,
Very nice capture of this tortoise. Excellent detail, colour, sharpness and composition. The reflection is a nice bonus.
The low POV and BG work well.
Thanks for posting. Have a nice relaxing weekend.

Crystal clear image with nice warm colors all with a nice reflection. Paul :)

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  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-11-04 3:13]

Hi Gerhard!

I'm glad to hear that everything is ok now! Best wishes to you!

As always beautifull picture. So colorfull, sharp and detailed. Reflection in water is big bonus to composition. Great note, too.

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  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1873 W: 304 N: 4300] (14729)
  • [2005-11-05 21:36]

Personal assessment of the photo: excellent.
Capacity of evocation in me: strong.
Very strong visual impact.
Aptness of the photo for the site: excellent.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you again Gerhard.

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-11-06 18:02]

Gerhard, great to know you're well after the surgery.

As for the picture, another great one.

Excellent lighting, sharpness, pov and composition. A classical theme (reflection), but with a new approach - teh tortoise.

This tortoise is really cool, Gerhard, and the lighting warms the colors very well.

Great POV, and composition.

Well done and thank you.

I would like to add my wishes for a speedy recovery.

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  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-11-07 2:11]

Hello Gerhard!
Wonderful capture.I liked lighting,POV,reflection on water,DOF,details and framing a lot.TFS...:-)

Gerhard, I did not know that you had health problems, I am happy everything went well, please receive my best wishes.
Beautiful capture, great light and I love the reflection. Great note too, thanks.
Hope you enjoy with Paul, I am green with envy :)

Gerhard, beautiful natural shot - very clear and colourful. Fantastic composition and great details. Superb colors. Well done & TFS!

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  • pat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 87 W: 0 N: 125] (410)
  • [2005-11-09 15:43]

Hi Gerhard.
Yes, you really would like to hug this cute one. Great composition with the reflexion of the blue sky that provides for a nice contract to the yellow beige tone of this reptile.
I also would like do join my best wishes, Patrick

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  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-11-20 7:03]

Gerhard bonjour, le suis de retour et j'ai beaucoup de retard!! Very good shot with amazing reflections of the tortoise. Colors blend well. It's an hot time !! Very well done , congratulations Didier.

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  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-11-21 13:29]

Excellent shot Gerhard. Very nice and sharp details, great reflection and good POV. Composition-wise the turtle is a little too centered if you ask me. Fantastic colors. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Dagse Gerhard,

This is a fantastic picture. The composition is good, the focus and DOF is perfect, and I like the reflection in the water. Your usual high standard applies once again.

Well done and thanks for sharing.

Jan-Hendrik

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