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The Happy Family


The Happy Family
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: 2006-06-18
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/80 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-07-09 9:02
Viewed: 1127
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Here's another of Whipsnades Lioness Mashaka Lila and two of her four Cubs. When the cubs were born in April, it was the first successful birth of lion cubs in 30 years at the park.

if you look at the workshop, you'll see Mashaka Lila isn't always so relaxed with her cubs!

African Lion

RANGE:
Historical: Northern India, the Middle East and Africa.
Current: South Sahara to South Africa, excluding Congo rain forest belt; NW India (a remnant population only in Gir Forest Sanctuary).

Coloration:
Light tawny, with white on abdomen and inner side of legs; back of ears black; mane of male tawny through reddish-brown to black. Coat of immature animals has a rosette pattern which fades as they mature, although vestiges may remain in lower abdomen and legs of adults.

DIET:
Zoo: Fast - one day a week.
Wild: Bulk of diet consists of animals weighing 110-1100 lbs. Lions are also opportunistic feeders, known to eat rodents, hares, small birds and reptiles.

BEHAVIOR:
Live in social groups called "prides," which generally consist of 4 -12 related adult females, their offspring and 1 - 6 adult males. Members may be scattered in several groups within a pride's range in groups called "companionships" or "sub prides." Females do most of the hunting. Females and young eat first, followed by males. Hunting may be night or day.

ADAPTATION:
Color blends with habitat. The lion is a typical cat in overall structural adaptations. Extra heavy bone in skull and limbs coupled with team hunting allows the taking of extremely large prey.

BREEDING & GROWTH:
Females can breed several times a year. However, an adult female will produce her next litter when her cubs are about 2 years old. If the entire litter dies, she will mate again soon after death of the last cub. Cubs very small at birth - less than 1% of adult weight. Cubs suckle to about 6 months, but start eating meat at about 3 months of age.

STATUS: The lion is the only "big cat" (the roaring cats) not endangered at this time.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Females rear their young together and will suckle cubs other than their own. Like many cats, lionesses head-butt in greeting

Notes from www.chaffeezoo.org

Thanks for looking, Have a great week

Exposure Time: 1/80 sec
F-Stop: f/10.0
ISO Speed Ratings: 200
Focal Length: 313/1 mm
marhowie, scottevers7, wallhalla15, jeanpaul, coasties, dew77, valy67, SkyF, Dando, osse has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Alan,
Excellent profile view, nice the way the cub is tucked beneath Mashaka's chin..
I really enjoyed the action WS capture...
made me :)
Very well done.

Hi Alan,
Great profile shot of mom and here cubs. Exposure looks spot on. Colors and detail are excellent. High cutness factor!
Scott

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 603 W: 11 N: 616] (3404)
  • [2006-07-09 10:35]

Its lovely family shot Alan.
WARM moments to capture.Likd the POV.

  • Great 
  • ciccio Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 227 W: 52 N: 337] (2721)
  • [2006-07-09 11:17]

Hi Alan, una imagen muy tierna de la leona con su cachorro. Un salduo y TFS.
Jose Luis

Hi Alan,
a lovely family, the baby is very nice with the spots, I like it - thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1168 W: 261 N: 3035] (13835)
  • [2006-07-09 11:50]

Hi Alan,

Nice shots of mum and her kidz,I like especially the workshop version,you captured the action quite well,TFS,

Paul

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2006-07-09 13:26]

A Great shot Alan from the poezen famely , good colours details compositie pov bg and the framing very good , tfs Greetings Teunie .

Hello Alan,
beautiful natural shot - very clear and colorful. Excellent composition and great details. Great colors. Well done and TFS.
Gr.
Heinz

  • Great 
  • takos1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 264 W: 25 N: 206] (2599)
  • [2006-07-09 16:26]

Gran bella foto Alan!
Bei dettagli colori delicati, ottima composizione, complimenti!

Ciao.
Franco

Bonjour Alan
C'est une excellente composition avec ce beau portrait de cette jolie lionneet ses deux petits ! La présentation très jolie avec de belles couleurs, ainsi que les détails. Merci pour le partage .
Au revoir et Bravo ....JP

Hello Alan, excllent details, Bg, POV great soft colors perfect lighting, TFS Kyle

Hi Alan

Cute shot. I like the way the cub has walked under her chin. Good timing on your part. Nice to view. :-)

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2006-07-10 7:34]

Hello Alan,
Very cute scane,well caught,framed and composed.POV,details and DOF are excellent.Have a great week too!
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • valy67 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1880 W: 59 N: 2915] (8733)
  • [2006-07-10 10:08]

Hi Alan ! I like all your series with lion cubs, they are so cute, and here you have captured such a lovely scene ! Colors, details, composition, POV... all is excellent. I would have added a thinner frame, but that's a matter of taste. i also like your WS photo very much. Very well done !
Valérie.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2006-07-10 10:29]

Hi Alan,
a wonderful moment captured so nicely. Lovely pose of this mother and cub. POV, lighting and soft colors give this shot a wonderful tender mood.
TFS.Sky

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-07-10 17:08]

Hi Alan,
Excellent family portrait. Great sharp details with good exposed colours. Also good lighting and POV. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

  •      
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-07-11 18:53]

Hi Alan
Good catch again. Playinh with his mother. Good light sharpnes and POV. Also good note.
Well done Alan

osse
No smiles left. Will be back

It's a lovely, intimate moment, Alan. The tight crop helps the feeling of family intimacy. Judging from the size and the focal length, I guess they were pretty close. I really must get back up there again before they get too old to be cute!

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