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Almost Homeless


Almost Homeless
Photo Information
Copyright: Alan Turvey (liquidsunshine) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1889 W: 112 N: 3371] (11494)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-05
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300 D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Animal portraits, Endangered, Felidae of the world: Second series [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-06-06 11:29
Viewed: 1805
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I've decided to post another shot of the Snow Leopard, from the rare leopard project. Projects like this one I have visited have successfully bred these big cats. Unfortunately the cost to reintroduce these to the wild is in the region of £500,000 for one leopard.

You can view previous posts of this big cat
Here and
Here.


Facts about the SNOW LEOPARD
Status: Endangered
Description: Soft grey coat, white on belly. Head and limbs are marked with solid black or brown spots; body is covered with brown blotches ringed with black, and a black streak runs down the back. Tail is heavy with fur and the bottom of the paws are covered with fur -- for protection against snow and cold.
Size: Head and body length is 47-59 inches, while the tail is 31-39 inches long.
Habitat: Mountain steppes and coniferous (pine/evergreen) forest scrub at high altitudes (5900-18000 feet). Prefer mountain regions in the winter, moving to meadows and rocky areas during the summer months.
Range: The high mountains of Central Asia, specifically the Himalayas, Altai and Hindu Kush. Jammu & Kashmir is situated in the central region of the Snow Leopard range. Snow leopards have a broad home range covering about 100 square miles because of the lack of abundant prey.
Food Source: The snow leopard's prey include wild sheep (such as Bharal, the blue sheep), wild boar, gazelles, hares, markhor, bobak, tahr, marmots, mice and deer. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20 to 50 feet.

Reproduction: Breeding season is usually January-May, with gestation lasting 98-103 days. A female will give birth to one to four young. The young open their eyes at 7-9 days, eat solid food at 2 months and follow their mother on hunts at three months.
Population: Extremely rare in most of their range due to the demand for skins. Although trade in snow leopard furs is illegal, it continues, threatening the snow leopard's existence. An estimated 3,000-10,000 are left in the wild, and about 370 are in captivity.
Longevity: Snow leopards have lived up to 15 years in captivity.

Notes from www.kewa.org

Thanks for looking
shel, elroyie, sAner, AndyB, PDP, Signal-Womb, red45, livios, TAZ, dew77, annagrace has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • shel Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 14 W: 4 N: 19] (85)
  • [2005-06-06 11:44]

Alan, there are times when a literal, descriptive photo is exactly what is required . . . and this is such a time. That any species' existence is endangered is obscene, and such beautifully executed photographs, tragically, may one day be all that is left.
regards,
Sheldon (shel)

Very good post, very good composition and great details, it seems that you over sharpened it a little.

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1490 W: 72 N: 1427] (4744)
  • [2005-06-06 13:04]

Hi there Alan,

This is a great portrait. What a beautiful cat this is! You exposed the whites superbly, the details are sharp and composition is very good. Great DOF & POV. Really extremely well done. TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

  • Great 
  • IdoTT Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 19 N: 86] (482)
  • [2005-06-06 13:58]

This is one beautiful animal!
Too bad that it is so rare...:(
Excellent shot of the leopard, the colors are excellent and the details are excellent, too bad that you can't say that this picture was taken in the wild....


WellDone!

Lovely shot Alan!
Cats always look great - this eyes and poses.
This shot is perfect: beautiful model, superb colours and light, great POV and composition.
I like it very much.
VERY WELL DONE!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2005-06-06 15:09]

Hello Alan,
A very nice capture.
Excellent composition,very well exposed and superb detail.
I like the DOF here too.
A beautiful animal.
Very well done.

TFS

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2005-06-06 15:10]

Lovley shot Alan, super details and lighting. Great looking cat, great composition, well done.

Beautiful shot Alan, very nice POV with eye level and the details are superb.

Regards Steve. PT

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-06-06 17:02]

Ah, what a face and what a pose. This is what I call proud animal! Amazingly beautifull cat and you captured it in great way Alan!

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2005-06-06 21:08]

Superbe portrait, le regard et l'exposition sont parfaits.

Félicitations !

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2005-06-06 22:16]

Alan, he's always welcome. If it depends on me, he'll be here again.

The pose is excellent, and the eye to eye contact is amazing.

Great pov and sharpness.

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-06-07 4:27]

Hello Alan!
Very nice shot.Eye contact,praud expression on face,details and composition are excellent.
TFS...:-)

This guy is very serious. I wonder what is on his mind. He is a wonderful looking Cat. Excellent detail, sharpness & POV. Great work. Thanks.

Short version, hey, I'm on vacation! Great job, he's got the look! ;-)

A fantastic capture of a gorgeous cat, Alan! We have one of these at our zoo although I'm not find of the environment they have her in. Nice post and a great note.

Alli

Hi Alan. Great portrait. it oozes attitude. GREAT DOF. it puts a lot of focus on the eyes and face. good compo and exposure too. pity he doesn't have green eyes ;)

Well done
Elize

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-06-08 3:30]

Beau léopard bien mis en valeur dans cette composition photographique. Jolies couleurs, bon point de vue et bonne netteté.
Beautiful leopard, interesting & well done shot !

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