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DikDik


DikDik
Photo Information
Copyright: Liezel Dsouza (ldsouza) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 106 W: 26 N: 220] (1343)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-01-18
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 5D, Canon EF 300 f4L + Canon 1.4 converter
Exposure: f/8, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-03-05 10:10
Viewed: 1419
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Dikdiks are tiny antelopes of dainty appearance that are slightly larger than a hare.
Females are slightly larger than the males. Only the males have horns, which are small, spikelike and incline backwards.
Dikdiks live in pairs in fixed territories covering up to 12 acres each. They mark their territory at strategic places along the borders that meet or overlap with other dikdik territories and drop their dung on dung left in their territory by other animals, even elephants. Both males and females help defend the territory and prevent the entry of other females.
The territories are often located in low, shrubby bush along dry, rocky stream beds where there are plenty of hiding places. Dikdiks maintain a series of runways through and around the borders of their territories.
Sight, scent and hearing are well-developed, and dikdiks are very alert. They know their territories intimately and respond to the alarm calls of other animals. When in danger they tend to hide instead of flee from a predator.
Dikdiks eat foliage, shoots, fruit and berries. They are nocturnal, therefore feeding mostly at night. They do not need to drink.
Dikdiks have large dark eyes, each surrounded by a white ring. A black spot below the inside corner of each eye contains a preorbital gland that produces a dark sticky secretion. Dikdiks insert grass stems and twigs into the gland to mark them with secretions.
Dikdiks live as monogamous pairs in their territories and are almost always accompanied by the latest young. After a fawn is born, the female can become pregnant again within 10 days. Their high-quality browse diet is probably what allows a female to be pregnant and lactate at the same time.
Their predators are numerous, including monitor lizards, eagles, pythons, smaller cats such as the caracal, as well as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs and humans. Even though small, with sticklike legs, the dikdik can put up a good defense, sometimes doing considerable damage with its razor-sharp hooves.
When frightened or disturbed, the dikdik produces a whistling sound through the nose that sounds like "zik-zik," from which its name is probably derived.
Source:http://www.awf.org/wildlives/67
viv, crissie78 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • deons Silver Star Critiquer [C: 31 W: 0 N: 7] (130)
  • [2006-03-05 10:19]

Hi Liezel
Nice control of DOF and good colour even though it may be a bit overexposed.
Regards
Deon

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 302 W: 3 N: 622] (3128)
  • [2006-03-05 10:24]

Hello liezel,
What a sharpness, you can even see the eye lashes and also the flies on its back. It is really marvellous. Great POV
TFS
Vivian

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1674 W: 5 N: 2130] (11894)
  • [2006-03-05 10:25]

Bonjour Liezel!


Une superbe prise,l'éclairage est excellent et les détails sont parfaits. J'aime bien le contraste causé par le vert de l'herbe et le roux du sujet.

Merci.

joseph

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3100 W: 234 N: 5929] (20006)
  • [2006-03-05 11:51]

Wow, Liezel. Fantastic POV and eye contact with this dikdik.
A gorgeous portrait of this very hard to catch little antelope.
They are always moving so fast. You really caught him in a great pose and with sharp details and excellent light. TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • mrcrow Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 458 W: 123 N: 197] (2996)
  • [2006-03-05 13:04]

all of a sudden all the pics get so sharp i cant believe it...
smashing shot with just the right body language here...alert and ready to run
great canon shot
cheers
geof

Hi Leizel
Great shot.
Great work of DOT and good composition.
Very sharp and clear.
TFS!!!!
Regards
JC

  • Great 
  • Art (0)
  • [2006-03-25 13:32]

Very nice photo, Liezel ! sharp and crispy
I really like it
however, it is not a dikdik, but a steenbok, Raphicerus campestris !
cheers
Art

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