Cold Drink

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Cold Drink
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2966 W: 366 N: 3849] (11733)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11-28
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Digital ISO 200, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-01-30 18:21
Viewed: 1462
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Leopard Tortoise

This is a special picture for me as it is one of the first I took in WPNR. It was my First day there with Gerhard. I was so glad to see this one, it had been dry for a long time and with the rains the tortoises appeared. Great day.

HABITAT : Savanna with vegetation

SUBSPECIES: Two are at present recognised:

1. The Eastern Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis babcocki)

RANGE : The east of Africa from Abyssinia to the Republic of South Africa, except western Republic of South Africa and southern Namibia.

2. The Western Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis pardalis)

RANGE : western Republic of South Africa and southern Namibia

FEATURES : The carapace is highly domed and contoured, with black splashes over a yellow background, resembling a real leopard skin. Both head and limbs are a dirty yellow; the fore- limbs have a series of heavy protective scales and on the female the scales on the heels of the back legs are enlarged to form digging claws. The animal has two to three horny tubercles in addition to a horny pin on the tail. It can weigh up to 43 kg, but averages 10-15 kg and may have a carapace, measured as a horizontal line, of 600mm. During courtship males compete by pushing and butting rivals; husky cries are uttered by the male during copulation. Clutches are from 5 to 30 eggs, deposited in nests dug by the female, sometimes in instalments. Hatching time under low humidity, is long; from 4 to 18 months have been recorded. The animals are very territorial and are recorded to have a homing instinct. The Western Leopard Tortoise is slightly smaller and darker coloured than the Eastern variety.

FEEDING : native : grass, various succulents, crassulas, thistles, prickly pear, pumpkins, beans, watermelons and toadstools. : captive: the Leopard Tortoise is mainly vegetarian and prefers green vegetables to fruits but a mixed diet is therefore advisable for the adults. The babies and juveniles will need a calcium rich diet (watercress + Vionate or Nutrobal supplement) and need roughage in the diet (grass). The following food can tried: beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, clover, dandelion, endives, grass, lettuce, kale, sprouts of the pulses. Of the fruits try apricots, bananas, blackberries, dates, figs, gooseberries, mandarins, mango, passionfruit, peach, pineapple, plum, orange, paupau, tomato and watermelon. Offer cuttlefish bone.


Notes are from this site: http://www.deancloseprep.gloucs.sch.uk/chelonia/care%20sheets/leopard.htm

I hope you like it.
scottevers7, annagrace, gerhardt, red45, Janice, thistle, hummingbird24, anavazao, Fisher, dew77, sAner has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Superb close-up and reflection.

I would like to see more of these South African pic.
Was there in 1999 but not that many pictures deserve to be posted as I was equipped with digital at the time and scanning pictures or even negatives doesn't gives a sharp result. Too much quality is lost in the process...

I'll have to go back one day...

Hi Paul,
The light was really nice and soft for this shot. Excellent warm tones and colors. The detail is superb. You can just feel the leathery texture of his skin. Compo. and framing look great, and a nice reflection...Very well done my friend!

Scott

Great capture, I've never seen a tortoise drink! I love the reflection of the face in the muddy water. Well done, Paul!

Alli

Hi Paul,
Very good captured with excellent framing,
the colours and details also are great,
thanks for sharing!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2737 W: 75 N: 7366] (24625)
  • [2006-01-31 2:42]

Hi Paul!

Great photo with good story! I love brown tones - most colours on your picture are different browns, but it still doesn't look dull. Nice moment with reflection in water. I feel African heat and soul here!

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 144 N: 5585] (16527)
  • [2006-01-31 4:34]

Hi Paul, very good shot and note. The details and lighting are excellent, especially with the reflections in the water. The POV is very good too. He looks so soft and gentle. There is something about these animals that make me feel sad. It's a beautiful shot, thank you,
Janice

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790] (3052)
  • [2006-01-31 4:51]

Great shot Paul. Great composition with excellent detail. I especially like the reflection in the water. TFS.
Dean.

Now a bit shorter critique ;)
It's a very nice shot with perfect details and framing. The reflection makes the picture very interesting. I like the colours too.
VERY WELL DONE on this one!

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1705 W: 5 N: 2129] (11714)
  • [2006-01-31 7:39]

Félicitations Paul,l'éclairage et les détails sont extra.


Merci.

joseph

A wonderful capture and composition of this amazing tortoise.

I particularly like the extension of the subject through his reflection in the still water.

Details, exposure, timing, and colors are exceptional.

Congratulations and thank you Paul!

  • Great 
  • tinman Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 242 W: 7 N: 458] (2663)
  • [2006-01-31 10:11]

Great shot, good composition and well timed. Well done

Hi,
great note with great effect!
Good macro, colours and composition!
Ana:)

Hi Paul,
it's a very good picture and you caught a good moment.
But the water don't seem to clear.
Well composed, very good low POV, nice colours and good details.
Excellent work.

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2006-01-31 17:33]

Hi Paul,

Excellent capture and well done on the composition. Crisp, warm, glad you kept the reflection. Beautiful work.

Mike

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2006-02-01 13:56]

Hello Paul!
Magnificent capture.POV,details,reflections
on water,sharpness,framing and composition are
excellent.TFS...:-)

Much better than mine... You did great given the available light. Excellent, crop and compo Paul.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1655 W: 79 N: 1456] (4742)
  • [2006-02-09 17:24]

This is a beautiful shot Paul. The details on the tortoise are magnificent (the wrinkles are great!) and the light is so warm. Composition is strong, POV & DOF couldn't be better. The reflection is what I like best. The eye, with the beautiful catchlight, is also excellent. Well done & TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

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