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Amur Tiger


Amur Tiger
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: 2005-11
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/80 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Wild cats portraits [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-03-25 18:07
Viewed: 2144
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken at Marwell Zoo, UK. Levels, saturation and crop done in PSE3.

Description
There are eight recognised races of tiger. Of these, the Caspian and Bali races are probably extinct and although a handful of Javan tigers are thought to remain, there have been no confirmed sightings since the early 1980s. The Indian or Bengal tiger is the most numerous but there are probably no more than 3,000. Amur tigers, like those at Marwell number between just 250-400 individuals in the wild. The combined wild population of all races of tiger is estimated at only 4,400-7,700 animals.

Tigers can inhabit a wide range of habitats, including tropical rain forest, evergreen forest, mangrove swamps, grassland, savannah and cold, mountainous country. The tiger is a solitary cat (spends much of its time alone) and each individual (or family unit) will have its own territory. The size of this will depend on the availability of food (prey species), water and shelter, and may reach 100 square miles for an adult Siberian tiger. Preys species include antelope, deer, and wild boar, but larger prey such as buffalo may also be taken. Tigers usually have one or two favourite dens in caves, hollow trees or dense vegetation. Cubs are born blind and are weaned after 100 days, but stay with their mother for 11/2 to 2 years, in which time they learn all the survival skills they will need.

For thousands of years man lived in harmony with the tiger, which was interwoven into the cultures and religions of the peoples with whom it shared its forest. The tiger was seen as the Guardian of the forest, a god-like creature who was worshipped and respected. Although tigers have always been hunted, sometimes for medicinal purposes, the population was never threatened with extinction until recently. With the advent of western values and weapons, much of the culture of the local people was destroyed, and with it the protection of the tiger was lost.

Today, tigers have two main threats - poaching and habitat destruction. They are poached mainly to satisfy the demand for oriental medicinal products made out of parts of the tiger, for example crushed tiger bone is added to wine as a general tonic, eyeballs are rolled into pills as a cure for convulsions, and whiskers kept to give courage. Huge amounts of money can be made by poaching and smuggling tigers. Habitat destruction is largely the result of increased demand for land as the human population grows. Financial problems in the countries concerned also lead to increased logging and agriculture. Habitat destruction not only removes the vegetation itself, which consequently affects the soil and water balance, but also removes the tigers' prey species.

It is currently thought that all races of tiger will be extinct by the turn of the century.
PDP, aido, Luc, coasties, Janice, Hoos, wkshelton, thor68, valy67, shal, nazirbadar has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2006-03-25 18:36]

Hello Mark,

Very ncie tiger portrait, composition and pose are excellent. I think some of the whites are a little OE, it's lovely though.

  • Great 
  • hibou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 216 W: 1 N: 329] (1617)
  • [2006-03-25 19:12]

Hello Mark, What a closeup. Colors and details are really sharp. Congrat TFS. Donald

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1044 W: 156 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-03-25 20:03]

Hi Mark,
Another great Tiger shot, excellent detail and DOF. Colours are spot on, great stuff although some whites are a little burned. I really struggle to get any decent shots of the Tigers at Marwell, I haven't turned out one good shot yet. A very good note too, that last sentence has quite an impact :-(
Cheers,
Adrian

Hi Mark,
this is a very good portrait of the tiger but IMO it's a bit tight cropped and some white parts a slightly OE.
Lovely colours, very good details and POV.
Very well done.

wow, nice work. excellent lighting and detail. and the vivid colors are gorgeous.
beth

Hi Mark

Well done on a great shot of this beautiful face. Everything here looks technically great. You have composed it well, with good light and saturation of colours. DoF is superb. A valuable contribution to the site. :-)

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
  • [2006-03-26 0:39]

Hi Mark, looking at this majestic tiger I want to go pat him! Excellent portrait of him, he looks so regal and unafraid. Wonderful shot, thank you
Janice

  • Great 
  • Hoos Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 19 W: 0 N: 20] (111)
  • [2006-03-26 2:04]

Hi, nice portrait of the tiger! this is the best animal! for my point of view, the detail its great and the frame its a great idea! nice work. Juan Jose

What a beatiful photo, Just all around perfect in everyway, The exposure, the lighting, colors, details, just perfect, TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-03-26 14:01]

Hello Mark , A Very beautiful portet from the tiger ,
good details sharp good eye contact , nice framing ,
tfs, Greetings Teunie .

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1879 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2006-04-04 14:00]

What a fantastic portrait, Mark. The tiger looks very impressive, with his long sharp teeth. His pose is great. Good details, excellent light and colors. Well done !
Valerie.

  • Great 
  • fkk (4)
  • [2006-04-21 10:46]

Merhaba Mark;

Excellent Tiger
superrrr

catman-fatih

Hi Mark,

An amazing portrait. Nothing more to say. All is perfect.

Serge

wow exelent shot
powerful colours
and the view of the tiger is brilliant
very good
tfs
Toba

Hi Mark
what a fantastic portrait ! Colors, details, all is perfect. Bravo

Cliff

Hello Mark,
I have never seen such a wonderful portrait of the Tiger.Great sharpness,Eye contact and details.fantastic composition.
Regards
Nazir

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