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Lazing around
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
The Cheetah (derived from Sanskrit word Chitraka meaning "Speckled") (Acinonyx jubatus) is an atypical member of the cat family (Felidae) that hunts by speed rather than by stealth or pack tactics.
It is the fastest of all land animals and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (120 km/h) in short bursts up to 500 yards (500 m).
The cheetah is well known for its amazing acceleration (0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds which is faster than the SLR McLaren, the Lamborghini Murciélago and the F/A-18 Hornet).
The cheetah barks like a dog and has a slender, long-legged body with blunt semi-retractile claws. Its chest is deep and its waist is narrow. Its coat is tan with small, round, black spots, and the fur is coarse and short.
The cheetah has a small head with high-set eyes. Black "tear marks," which run from the corner of its eyes down the sides of the nose to its mouth in order to keep the sun out of its eyes and aid in hunting and seeing long distances.
The adult animal weighs from 40 to 65 kg (90 to 140 lb). Its total body length is from 112 to 135 cm (45 in to 55 in), while the tail can measure up to 84 cm (33 in). Male cheetahs are slightly larger than females and have a slightly bigger head, but it is difficult to tell males and females apart by appearance alone.
Photo taken at Pretoria Zoo.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheetah |
coasties, whjb, loot has marked this note useful
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Hi Leon
Excellent shoy of this beautiful Cheetah. Love the relaxed pose and the good eye contact. TFS.
Leon,
Nice cheetah...I wonder if you live in South Africa whether it is possible for you to shoot Cheethahs in the wild instead of in the zoo?
TFS
Annick
Hi Leon,
I like the composition. Needs a little bit of sharpening, see the workshop.
TFS
Willem
- loot
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(10075) - [2007-02-17 0:18]
- [2]
Hi Leon
I have seen this cheetah and its mate in their 'pit' at the Pretoria Zoo. It is a rather awkward scenario to take photos (I know because I tried and gave it up for a bad job), but hopefully with all the upgrading and renovations they are doing at the Zoo, maybe these animals might find themselves moved to better accommodation soon.
You did well to capture this shot under rather difficult circumstances with all the wires, the sunken hole that they live in, and the inapproachability of the facility which one could only understand once you have seen where they live. So, I really do appreciate the outcome. Mostly the light comes from almost directly above (because of all the trees or vegetation lining their lower than ground level pen) but somehow you managed to capture this photo with angled and softish shaded light which prevented that highly reflective Kikuyu grass from OE.
The direct eye contact is great, the colours look very natural, and the details are fine although, the truer reflection probably lies somewhere between your photo and Willem’s workshop.
Anyway, well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot
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