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Lion cubs


Lion cubs
Photo Information
Copyright: Valerie Schnepp (valy67) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-19
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P71
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-04-25 2:26
Viewed: 1890
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lion (Panthera leo)

As it is raining in Alsace I can't go out to take photos, so I go on with Amnéville zoo shots. These two lion cubs were playing behind a glass window, just in front of me. I'm sorry, I know that there should be no visible fences on TN, but I like these photos and I thought they should be worth posting, even with bad BG...

The Lion is a mammal of the family Felidae. It is the second largest natural living feline with the exception of the tiger. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, weighs between 150 and 250 kg. Females are much smaller, weighing between 130 and 150 kg. In the wild lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20 years.

Behavior : Lions are predatory carnivores who live in family groups, called prides. The family consists of related females, their cubs of both sexes, and one or more males (often brothers) who mate with the adult females. Although it was once thought that females did most of the hunting in the pride, it is now known that males contribute much more to hunting than the amount for which they had been previously given credit. A male's hunting skills can be seen when we look at nomadic lions, who have yet to capture a prey of their own. Regardless of who kills the prey, the male usually eats his fill first with the rest of the pride staying at respectful distance.
Both males and females will defend the pride against outside intruders. Typically, males will not tolerate outside males, and females will not tolerate outside females. Males are expelled from the pride or leave on their own when they reach maturity. The male lion has evolved to be a superb master and defender of his pride and territory. The mane of an adult male, which was never fully explained before, has now been shown by researches to provide protection during conflicts with other lions.
When or if a new male (or a coalition) takes over a pride and ousts the previous master(s), the conquerors often kill any remaining cubs. This is explained by the evolutionary pressures — the females would not become fertile and receptive until the cubs grow up or die. The male lions reach maturity at about 3 years of age and are capable of taking over another pride being 4-5 years old. They begin to age (and thus weaken) at around 8. This leaves very short window for their children to be born and mature — the fathers have to procreate as soon as they take over the pride.
Sometimes a female may defend her and the ousted male's children from the new master, but such actions are rarely successful.
red45, shal, jcoowanitwong, wkshelton, jmp, liquidsunshine, dew77, halki, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2006-04-25 3:53]

Bonjour Valerie!
Very nice presentation of these cute cubes. Your idea of three photos in one is very good. We can observe progress in play :-) As you wrote - fence isn't best for TN, but I know well how hard it is to catch animals in zoo without fences or walls. Good work, I like it!

  • Great 
  • shal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 259 W: 65 N: 476] (2124)
  • [2006-04-25 4:07]

Hi Valarie,
excellent choice on making these 3 images in a vertical series ;)
Baby animals are soo cute
Cheers TFS,
Vishal Sabharwal

Hi Valarie,
Very original idea to put 3 picuture in a series. Very good point of view. These lion cubs are so cute.
JC

Nice colours and detail. The series of shots is well framed. Great idea!

Hi Valerie,
A very nice and well composed selection of images of these magnificent creatures.A shame there is a fence that maybe spoils the "wild" feeling but their "game" or "conflict" makes up for that.The timeline is very good as the images give a feeling of continuity.Very nice....a good idea.
Regards, David

Hi valrie, excellent photos here, Excellent colors and details, perfect POV, DOV and sharpness, Well done and TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1740 W: 95 N: 2273] (8411)
  • [2006-04-25 10:52]

Hi Valerie,
Good sequence of family play. I like it to see happy animals with or without visible fences. (In any case fences exist in a zoo and you have not put them).
José M.

Hi Valerie,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and framing. Nicely presented.

Thanks for posting, have a great week.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-04-26 7:20]

Hello Valerie!
Very nice captures and presentation.All shots are well detailed and composed.Excellent work!TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • halki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 249 W: 8 N: 105] (469)
  • [2006-04-26 15:12]

Hello Valerie.
Great captures. Composition, timing are wonderful.
Thanks for posting

Hi Valerie,
NIce sequence here and presented well. Good tiing and use of shutter speed to freeze action. Exposure looks pretty good.
TFS
Paul

Hello Valerie,
Seems like they are having a great time together, playfighting!
A fine sequence has been captured, with sharp details and fine natural colours...
Greetings,
Pablo -

Ohhhh:) what a beautiful collage of this cute leons showing their games. Funny indeed...
TFS this MF Valerie,
Cheers,

Bayram

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