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The first cut is the deepest...
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Odette Van Nieuwholtz (OdetteVN)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 64 W: 0 N: 127]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (384) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-11-26 |
| Categories: Mammals |
| Camera: Canon EOS 350D, 75-300mm |
| Exposure: f/6.3, 1/200 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop |
| Date Submitted: 2005-12-14 11:47 |
| Viewed: 1773 |
| Points: 16 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is my last photo for 2005. I am leaving on holiday. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. See you all in 2006.
Panthera Leo
Length: Up to 10 feet
Weight: 275 to 425 pounds
Gestation: 105 days
Size of Litter: 2 to 4 cubs
Life Span: 15 to 20 years
Physical Characteristics
The lion is the second largest felid, weighing up to 425 pounds, males being slightly larger then the females. Both have a rounded head and are powerfully built and have a uniformly colored coat. The males have a mane which begins to grow at the age of two which grows into long, thick hair by the age of five. The purpose of the mane is thought to make the lion look stronger and more fearsome, which seemingly has worked as the lion has always been a symbol of royalty and strength. The earthshaking roar of a lion can be heard up to five miles away, the loudest vocal sound created by any felid.
Habitat and Lion Pride
The lion is found in parts of Africa south of the Sahara desert. Lions are the most social of all the felids, and live in organized groups called prides which can hold four to forty members. The pride is made up of related lionesses and their cubs and one to six males which have fought their way into the pride. If a lion is killed by another lion trying to join the pride, the previous male's cubs will be killed to give way for the new dominate lion's offspring. When a female comes to realize her cubs are gone, she goes into estrus and mates with the new dominate male. The pride is very social, and they often lick and rub heads with each other. The males are the protectors of the pride, and the females are the hunters and take care of the cubs.
Hunting and Feeding
Lions generally preys on medium size animals such as zebras, gazelle, and wildebeest, but are only successful five out of twenty attemps. During the chase for its prey, lions can run up to 35 mph, but only for short distances. The lioness will use her weight and paws to knock its quarry down, then secures its meal with a bite in the throat or neck, generally suffocating its victim. If the lioness can not catch its prey in the first few hundred meters, she will give up and choose another. Scavenging makes up 10-15% of the lions food source. They listen for vultures and hyenas who are scavengers, and go to the scene to see what they can take for themselves.
Feeding is a dangerous time in the pride. The stronger eat first, and the weaker eat last. The males will eat until satisfied, then the females will eat what is left, and if there is still something left over, the cubs will get a bite to eat. The leading cause of death in lion cubs is starvation. During feeding, fighting is very common, and can be fatal. To avoid these confrontations, the weaker of the two fighting may lie on its back (like a dog might when its owner is yelling at it), and the stronger lion will walk away with the weaker lion's pride.
Hope you all like it!!! |
PDP, chiliu, Luc, scottevers7, coasties, Dave, dantor has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- PDP
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(11769) - [2005-12-14 13:53]
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Hi Odette, shame this is you last one for this year. Enjoy your break!
This is a very nice shot. I love the pose and the colours are very nice too. SHe looks like she is scraping her claws on the bark. Very nice composition.
It was very nice meeting you.
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- chiliu
(6494)
- [2005-12-14 14:32]
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Hi Odette,
This is a great portrait!
Superb pose and excellent framing,
very nice details and colours.
Well done and enjoy your holiday!
Personal assessment of the photo: very good.
Capacity of evocation in me: strong.
Very strong visual impact.
Personal assessment of the note: complete.
Thank you very much.
I did not have seen Howard's ws before doing mine.
Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year to you too!!!
Hi Odette,
An excellent shot of this lion. I love the pose. Great looking colors with sharp detail. Excellent notes with this post. Very well done!
Scott
Hi Odette
Good colours, exposure and detail. Excellent POV and sharpness.
Very well composed. Nice work. TFS.
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- Dave
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2173) - [2005-12-15 17:10]
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This is a beautiful portrait Odette!
Very nice!
Thanks,
Dave
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- Nico
(1313)
- [2006-01-09 9:48]
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Are they not the cutest. Especially at this age. You framed him well and whos some character too. Well done.
I love lions, have just come back from lion-holiday myseklf, hope to post some soon.
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- dantor
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 135 W: 56 N: 224]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(993) - [2006-02-13 19:18]
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The composition where the head seems anchored by the paws gives this image a dynamic feel rarely seen in portraits. Sharpness and contrast are very good. Well done, Odette!.
