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Meerkat


Meerkat
Photo Information
Copyright: Annick Vanderschelden (vanderschelden) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2743 W: 80 N: 7134] (28427)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-08
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon 400mm 2.8 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-08-15 0:56
Viewed: 1232
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
description...
The meerkat is a small diurnal herpestid (mongoose) weighing on average about 731 grams (1.61 pounds) for males and 720 grams (1.58 pounds) for females. Its long slender body and limbs give it a body length of 25 to 35 cm (10 to 14 inches) and an added tail length of 17 to 25 cm (7 to 10 inches). Its tail is not bushy like all other mongoose species, but is rather long and thin and tapers to a black or reddish colored pointed tip. The meerkat uses its tail to balance when standing upright. Its face tapers, coming to a point at the nose, which is brown. The eyes always have black patches around them, which help deflect the sun's glare. The meerkat has small black crescent-shaped ears that can close when digging to keep sand out. Like cats, meerkats have binocular vision, a large peripheral range, depth perception, and eyes on the front of their faces.

At the end of each of a meerkat's "fingers" is a non-retractable, strong, 2 cm (0.8 inches) long, curved claw used for digging underground burrows and digging for prey. Claws are also used with muscular hindlegs to help climb the occasional tree. They have four toes on each foot and long slender limbs. The coat is usually fawn-colored peppered with gray, tan, or brown with a silver tint. They have short parallel stripes across their backs, extending from the base of the tail to the shoulders. The patterns of stripes are unique to each meerkat. The underside of the meerkat has no markings but the belly has a patch which is only sparsely covered with hair and shows the black skin underneath. The meerkat uses this area to absorb heat while standing on its rear legs, usually early in the morning after cold desert nights.(wiki)


Camera Model Name
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time
11/08/2007 18:02:46
Tv(Shutter Speed)
1/640Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)
F2.8
Metering Modes
Evaluative metering
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
400
Lens
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length
400,0 mm
Image size
3888 x 2592
Image Quality
RAW
Flash
Off
White Balance
Daylight
AF mode
One-Shot AF
Picture Style
Standard
jesst, Jamesp, Proframe, PaulH, kjpweb, marhowie, MMM, gracious, Mariol, rcrick, jrobertop has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To joey: hi Joevanderschelden 1 08-15 01:38
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1996 W: 245 N: 6508] (23200)
  • [2007-08-15 1:15]
  • [+]

Hi Annick,
a great shot of this alert Meercat.
Sharp with excellent detail especially on the head. What's that stuff around his forehead and mouth?
Great DOF and composition.
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 371 W: 0 N: 165] (2273)
  • [2007-08-15 1:21]

Of course, I can't pass so interesting animal.
I firstly saw them ten years ago in the Zoo in Barcelona and then became a real fan of Suricata. Your picture is wonderful - great detail, sharp. Thanks!

Hoi Annick,
Wat een pracht foto. De zacht gekleurde achtergrond is heel erg mooi en geeft de gehele foto een erg rustig gevoel. De scherpte op het koppie van dit levendig dier is super. Een erg mooie klassieke pose met een mooie relfectie in het oog.
Groeten,
Niek

Bonjour Annick,belle capture de cette mangouste qui se prête au jeu ,le petit reflet dans l'oeil lui donne beaucoup de charme.Bien joué,TFS
Amitiés,Mich

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1330 W: 0 N: 5286] (15770)
  • [2007-08-15 2:29]

Hi Annick

Exceptional POV and DOF here. THe composition is great and the BG really helps lift the shot.

James

Hi Annick,
looks like this Meerkat lost his front legs and claws :)
Serious now: Wonderful to see this upright pose of these animals with there front legs tight to there body.
Beautiful light, details in the fur and catchlight in the eye of the animal.
Very pleasing soft background color tones against wwich the Meerkat does stand out perfectly.
Technically flawless again. Great work.
Thanks for sharing and the good note.
Best wishes,
Harry

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1086 W: 29 N: 3294] (11787)
  • [2007-08-15 3:39]

Hi Annick,
superb detail and perfect DOF, looks like he's rooting around in the dirt for a snack, or maybe even digging a little. The BG is very good, beautifully subtle.
tfs
Paul

selam , excellent shot and very good composition nice pov and bg with splendid colours.good details presented
Well done !
Regards ridvan

  • Great 
  • alby65 (143)
  • [2007-08-15 5:22]

Spettacolare scatto di alta qualità!!
Sfondo bellissimo,quasi da macro!!
Complimenti,ciao,Alberto!

Hi Annich,
Nice look!
Very good colors, sharpness and POV.
Well different animal.
Excellent shot!
Best regards!
José Roberto

The best Meerkat shot I've seen so far! Excellent detail in the fur, add to it a gorgeous bokeh, and you have yet another masterpiece on your hand! Cheers, Klaus

Hi Annick,
Nice classic erect posture, very well composed. You're the master of the clean diffuse BG, nice-n-smooth :)
Great work!
Howard

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 795 W: 0 N: 1600] (7392)
  • [2007-08-15 5:46]

Hello Annick
Wonderful image with great details and lovely light.POV and DOV are perfect.
TFS Michel

Hello Annick,
Excellent pov in showing the meerkat!
perfect sharpness,true colour and details in it
well composed and well seen
cheers
Tony

Hi Annick
another goody, although at first glance unusual lightning with body in th shadow, the final result with perfect exposure on the head is great
tfs
TOM

Bonjour,
Excellent portrait. L'arrière-plan convient bien.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

hi annick,
a cute one, annick - like the pose, he looks very proud.
and got charming clear eyes.
a very attractive lighting in this shot,makes it quite special!
outstanding sharpness and an amazing soft green BG which gives the compostion a lovely ambiance.
like it a lot !
tfs - carole

  • Great 
  • Mariol Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 167 W: 10 N: 1097] (4571)
  • [2007-08-15 19:23]

Hi Annick,
Exquisite picture of the Meercat. Sharp, clean, perfectly exposed. You master your new equipment very, very well. TFS
Regards, Mario

Hi Annick,

Good detail in the fur, nice POV and exposure. Well done
Eric

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 661 W: 42 N: 1259] (4064)
  • [2007-08-16 18:59]

Hi Annick, a great shot love the composition superb detail and perfect DOF, very nice shot, Cheers Rick

bonjour annick
quel portrait splendide une fois de plus!
le BG lumineux et flou met parfaitement en valeur ce chien de prairie (je crois que c'est cela en français).
simplement magnifique.
laurent

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