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Overheating...


Overheating...
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2225 W: 268 N: 4166] (11529)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-12-01
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM, Digital ISO 100, Hoya UV (72mm)
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-12-10 2:58
Viewed: 1737
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 60
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus

Even for me who stay here this moment was a special one. For me definitely the height of Paul's visit.

The fastest land animal, cheetah, does not always succeeds in its attempts at catching prey. On an average, only half of its chases are successful. The reason is that despite its speed it does not have enough stamina to sustain itself for longer periods in its chases. Usually this member of the cat family can run up to 200m after its prey for 20 seconds. If it does not catch up with the prey by then, it aborts the chase.

Built for speed this cat has the smallest head, in relation to its body, in its family. Long legs, without surplus body-weight and an amazingly flexible backbone make it the fastest land creature, gaining the speed of 75 km/h in 2 to 3 seconds, from a standing start, and reaching up to 100 km/h.

It hunts during the day, it does not use stealth to catch prey, instead it pursues it in African savannah, unlike other cats cheetah does not have retractile claws and although it prefers the cooler hours at dawn and at dusk for hunting this spotted cat has heat problems.

While running its powerful muscles generates an enormous amount of heat. After a 200-yard dash its body temperature rises up to 105 degrees F, a level which can cause damage to the brain if sustained for more than a minute or two. Consequently, to avoid such a situation, it, initially walks down to the nearest spot, moving nonchalantly, and taking good look at the situation. It then shoots to a great speed to pounce on its prey. The critical distance is about 50 yards. If the hunter can make it to that point without ‘spooking’ the prey it has the best chances of making a successful kill.

The fleeing prey runs from side to side, but the pursuer continues in a straight, line. It must anticipate the prey’s route of escape and intercept it. There is an alternative strategy. If the prey is slower than the cheetah, it starts by sprinting after it but then simply follows the prey’s zig-zag route, moving at less than the maximum speed but for longer. The final attack is preceded by one last burst of speed, when the victim is running away. As the cheetah catches up, it swipes the prey’s back legs from under it, straddles the struggling body, and kills the unfortunate creature with a strong bite on the neck.

Once the kill has been made the cheetah does not eat it immediately, but rests for about 15-20 minutes before starting. This is because it is so exhausted and drained of energy and overheated that it must sit and pant in order to cool down.

We got really close to these critters and this was taken right at the end after they had their fill. The male dragged the remainder of the carcass to some shade under a thorn tree. We had breakfast sitting there on the ground from where I took these photos. Both of us knew that this was the work we were cut out to do. :)
carper, PDP, chiliu, dew77, AndyB, scottevers7, wallhalla15, Dave, Demetrio, metcher, red45, livios, mrvdm1, deud, Luc, moemf, coasties, shal has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To metcher: Thank you for the kind words...gerhardt 5 12-14 17:54
To PDP: I wish... :(gerhardt 2 12-10 05:15
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Critiques [Translate]

yep my friend, thats life,
eten en gegeten worden. Mooi je hier te zien. Goede capture. Ik wens jou ook alle geluk toe een goede feestdagen en een goed begin van het nieuwe jaar.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11751)
  • [2005-12-10 3:05]
  • [+]

Hi Gerhard, Very ncie shot. I recognise this one. Beautiful capture of the cheetah in its task. Lovely composition. Have a great day at WP.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3068 W: 231 N: 5840] (19618)
  • [2005-12-10 3:08]

This, Gerhard, renders me speechless.
It is just awe-inspiring, by the power of nature in her rawest. A superb shot and a very special moment indeed. Thank you for sharing this wonderful shot. : )

Wow, what a great capture, Gerhard!
The lighting and colour are SUPERB,
perfect exposure and beautiful composition.
Very well done!!

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 880 W: 23 N: 926] (4989)
  • [2005-12-10 3:28]

Gerhard bonjour, belle scene de repas de fauves!! Belle composition et jolies couleurs. TFS Didier.

fascinating shot of real life on the plains
i saw one like this in ngorongoro crater but we were at the rear of the cat and it was harried by vultures. soon the hyena appeared
cheetahs not only run fast but have to eat fast..

  • Great 
  • Ninfa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 116 W: 3 N: 204] (710)
  • [2005-12-10 3:49]

Hola Gerhard: Impressive the fact of to witness a scene with this unreachable carnivore and to capture their flexibility and shining the beauty of the diversity of the yellow color of their skin, the red color of the prey is very attractive in the composition. Very good work. Cordial greetings.*Ninfa Urania*

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-12-10 5:55]

Hello Gerhard!
It's a scary scane but wonderful capture.Colors,details,sharpness,framing and composition are excellent.TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2005-12-10 6:00]

Hello Gerhard,
Beautiful shot!
Everything looks great,I've just got a new monitor and the reds look fantastic here.
Excellent nature shot,great note.

TFS

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11868)
  • [2005-12-10 6:01]

Belle prise nature,l'exposition est parfaite et l'action spectaculaire.

Merci!

Call me heartless but I love the splendor of this carnage! Such a clean, most natural but yet still violent chapter in the circle of life. Sharpness, momentum, color, background, crop, presentation perfect 10! This baby goes to my favourites!

I love such shots. Not because of the blood and things like that of course ;) but because of the fact cat is actually doing something interesting.
One of the best shots of cheetah I've ever seen!

Gerhard
Pragtig!
Love the pose, the action, the moment, when can we go? Would love to see this too, and the babies as well.
Way to end for this Blesbok - can you "borrow" one to release at AMrievale, they have nice, fat blesbok there too.
Lekker naweek
Callie

Hi Gerhard,
Outstanding shot here. The exposure is perfect. Colors, detail, DOF, clarity, are all remarkable. A rare moment to witness firsthand. I am envious! The cycle of like continues, and sometimes it is not always pretty to watch.
Scott

Hello Gerhard,
this is a beautiful natural shot - very clear and colorful. Fantastic composition and great details. Superb colors, POV and excellent informative note. Well done and TFS!

  • Great 
  • Dave Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 517 W: 47 N: 663] (2127)
  • [2005-12-10 11:45]

Dramatic and poignant!
Excellent capture!
The note is quite excellent also and made an enjoyable and interesting read!
Thanks for sharing,
Dave

Hi Gerhard,
Good sharp detail and colours. Great POV.
Nicely composed and good exposure.
Thanks for posting. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

ohh now this is a good action shot. But what a sight that must have been....

Great show. (rated 18 ;-)

Demetrio

  • Great 
  • ridfa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 89 W: 0 N: 375] (4092)
  • [2005-12-10 14:21]

Le monde sauvage passe par ce type de scène. Il est remarquable d'être présent à ce moment là.

TFS

  • Great 
  • klemmg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 40 N: 484] (1719)
  • [2005-12-10 16:33]

WOW !!! What a catch! This is an OUTSTANDING shot.
No nit to pick at all.
Regards,
Gabi

Fantastic shot, everything about this image is excellent, I like everything about it. :)

Hi Gerhard! This Paul's is unknown for me. Is it some kind of private game farm or open wild? In any case photo is great. Cheetah in full action. Good sharpness and DOF. Excellent background.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2806 W: 75 N: 7857] (26309)
  • [2005-12-11 13:35]

Excellent work Gerhard! Scene is cruel [for human] but has got some kind of beauty. Beauty of nature. Cheetah is great. Outstanding quality and moment!

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16850)
  • [2005-12-11 14:49]

Gerhard, nature just like it is.

Excellent composition, pov, bg, lighting and colors.

Great sharpness and details to show us this crucial moment.

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 492 W: 2 N: 460] (2083)
  • [2005-12-12 4:09]

very well done! dramatic and bloody. excellent focus, colors, composition. tfs

Dagse Gerhard,

Hierdie is 'n fantastiese foto. The focus and DOF is spot-on, and I really like the composition. Well done, this is once again on par with your usual high standard.

Jan-Hendrik

  • Great 
  • optic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 322 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2005-12-12 7:05]

Hi Gerhard,
Very nice shot, lighting, warm colours, details ,dof + pov are great.

TFS

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2058 W: 316 N: 4403] (14711)
  • [2005-12-12 20:57]

Personal assessment of the photo: excellent action shot. Impossible to see such scene here. Great memories for both of you: Paul and you, of course.
Capacity of evocation in me: strong.
Strong visual impact.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much.
Have a Great holiday season without snow my friend.

  • Great 
  • moemf Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 117 W: 0 N: 160] (699)
  • [2005-12-13 9:36]

Hi Gerhard

Great note. Even better capture. Excellent POV and DOF. Perfect timing and lighting. Excellent shot!!

Reinier

Hi Gerhard

It is now 1131 a.m 1st January 2006 here in New Zealand. I just popped in to say.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you have a safe and prosperous 2006. Look forward to some more brilliant work from you.

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