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Snow Leopard


Snow Leopard
Photo Information
Copyright: Mark Oxley (MojoUK) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 7 N: 328] (1479)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2003
Categories: Mammals
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-03-15 17:01
Viewed: 2061
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken about 3 years ago at Marwell Zoo, UK before the new enclosure was completed. I used my first DSLR a Canon D60 for this shot.

Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia )

Long thick fur, yellowish grey, marked with dark blotches/rosettes. Long tail affords protection against cold.

The snow leopard’s long furry tail helps it to survive in its cold rocky home. It is used for balance when the cat leaps from one ledge to another. The tail is also used as a ‘nose warmer’ when the snow leopard sleeps.

Status: Endangered

Distribution: Mountains of central Asia

Sexually mature: 3 Years
Approx. gestation: 99 days
Approx. nbr. of young: 2
Life span: 15

Description
Because the snow leopard lives in such inaccessible places the size of the wild population is very difficult to estimate, but could be as low as 600. These are distributed over a vast area including parts of Mongolia, USSR, China, Bhutan, N. India, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan. Numbers are few and are restricted to the higher colder regions above the forests, where permanent snow is found. Seasonal migrations occur, descending from altitudes of over 4000m to around 2000m, where they spend the winter months. Snow leopards prey on mountain goats, ibex, gazelle, boar and smaller mammals and birds which they hunt at night and in the early morning. They retreat to rocky lairs during the day. Snow leopards are usually solitary but have been seen to hunt in pairs. Unless they have cubs they do not stay long in an area. The cubs are born in May - June. They receive milk up to 4 months but will also take meat brought to the den after 1.5 - 2 months. The nest is abandoned after about 3 to 4 months, the young staying with the mother through the following winter. They reach their full size at 1½ years.

As demand for more land has increased, domestic stock have been brought into the remote mountain areas, once the sole domain of the snow leopard. Inevitably occasional stock are killed, with the result that the snow leopard is persecuted by farmers. Hunting for the fur trade has also taken its toll, as has the reduction in the populations of its main prey species due to habitat destruction.
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Critiques [Translate]

Maybe a little too dark ... but very striking shot, that direct gaze and those paws really mak ethis.

Hi Mark
A nice illustrative picture, I like the cat´s look and the details.
A good job
Regards
Hernán

  • Great 
  • eev Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 67 W: 34 N: 65] (744)
  • [2006-03-15 17:13]

Extremely good detail, colour and sharpness. Your composition is also quite appealing. Nice work.
PS I don't think its too dark.

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-03-15 18:05]

Hi Mark,
Excellent detail and I like the intense stare, she seems very interested in you. Agreed with Miles, a little dark but a great shot if just for the detail and that stare.
Cheers,
Adrian

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3064 W: 231 N: 6154] (21022)
  • [2006-03-16 10:46]

Fantastic shot, Mark.
I love the direct stare and the intense expression.
He looks like he will pounce any second.
Those paws are magnificent.
Excellent focus and exposure.
Wonderful pose and composition.
TFS. : )

Hi Mark

I find this to be a very dramatic shot! Maybe it is the colours and/or the expression, but it has immense visual impact that unfortunately is not expressed in the thumbnail. I am very pleased I opened it fully. Awesome eye contact! Excellent work. :-)

Awesome Mark!!! I think the light is perfect.

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