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Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)


Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)
Photo Information
Copyright: Dan Bachmann (danbachmann) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 75 W: 19 N: 142] (449)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07-16
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Pentax *ist D, Tamron SP 90mm
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/1500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: Santago Rare Leopard Project
Theme(s): Great cats - Grandes felinos, Endangered, Captivity, Felidae of the world: Second series, Wild cats portraits [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-01 4:28
Viewed: 14396
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized wild cat found in the forests of Asia and they are very shy. It took a some time for this one to come out, even when food was offered. They are generally nocturnal. Little is known about the wild behavior of clouded leopards due to their extremely secretive nature. For more about the cloaded leopard, take a look at the Clouded Leopard Project site.

Shot using apature priority (@f/2.8) to get the fastest shutter speed. I found most amazing about these animals was the patterns on the fur - it looked much more like the markings of a large snake than a leopard.

This picture was taken at the Santago Rare Leopard Project - a breeding program for rare leopards and big cats, not in the wild.

I found a quote from Peter James, the keeper at the Project about the reason clouded leopards are here:
"As an essential backup to wild populations it is important to maintain a genetically viable population which could be used to restock forests once the present threats have been stopped or even reversed. This situation may not occur for many years to come. However, as the Clouded Leopard is one of the most difficult species to breed in captivity the early set up of specialist breeding reserves is essential."
"In Britain there are fewer than twenty Clouded Leopards in captivity - too few to maintain a viable population in the long term. It is vital that unrelated animals are imported into Britain in order to revitalise the captive gene pool."

For more information on the Santago Rare Leopard Project, read the travelogue on this site called "Santago Rare Leopard Project"
gerhardt, Jax, letr, Callie, japie, Hanssie, aktolga, slrnovice2, Walt, jeanpaul has marked this note useful
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To DiaAzul: croppeddanbachmann 1 08-01 05:17
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Critiques [Translate]

That's an amazing picture of a big(ish) cat - what really amazes me is that you only used a 90mm lens, and must have been quite close to get a reasonable frame full of the animal. I wouldn't even get that close to a house cat.

The narrow depth of field works well here to keep attention focused on the head, you nailed this perfectly, though you logic is a little off. Av mode is used to control depth of field, if you wanted to guarantee a shutter speed then Tv set to 250/500th of a second would be more than enough to freeze the action in this case (perhaps even 125th). Setting Av to f2.8 may unnecessarily restrict you depth of field, whilst giving a shutter speed many multiples what you need. If you want to control shutter speed use Tv, if you want to control depth of field use Av, but don't confuse the two (NB, on my Canon 1DII if I use Tv and there is not enough light for the shutter speed I get a visual indication that I need to change the settings (i.e bump up the ISO), however, in Av mode the camera will just continue to drop shutter speed and I end up with blurred pictures without notification or warning that settings need changing, the Pentax probably has a similar system). Just my two pennies worth.

Belle photo d'un Léopard à l'affut de quelque chose ou de quelqu'un qui sait...
J'aime la concentration que l'on peut voir sur son visage.

Not fair. :) The opportunity you had to capture all these cats. And so nicely done too. Great shot Dan. Love the way it stalks you. Your note as usual, informative. Thanx for sharing. I did a wokshop on the eye and back. Please tell me what you think.

I like this, you get a real sense of the animal in it's natural habitat.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-01 7:24]
  • [2]

Dan, that is superb, very impressed. The shrpness on the face and whiskers is excellent and the stalking pose is very well seen. Good composition and cropping too.

Well done.

  • Great 
  • Cat Silver Star Critiquer [C: 17 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2004-08-01 7:39]

Dan, this is yet another fine work you are sharing! The DoF is wonderful! Your notes are once again very informative, I have learned so much from your documentation. Thanks Dan!

  • Great 
  • Jax Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 91 W: 0 N: 153] (490)
  • [2004-08-01 8:13]

Great shot Dan, sharpness, dof and composition spot on. You could be easily drawn into the eyes of the animal.

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-01 9:45]

Great dof Dan, wonderfull picture with excellent colors and a good note !

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1132 W: 105 N: 2609] (7531)
  • [2004-08-01 10:05]

Dan
Taken thru glass, it seems, but well done. I sound like a record that got stuck, but this is another one of my favourites. I do not know every wild cat in the world, but I have seen pictures of most and love them! I like this picture and the sneaky pose.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-01 15:39]

It almost look like he's out on the prowl. I like the detail and the note

What a capture, Dan, very, very nice done, he is watching something, nice to see it !

Great, just when I thought I knew everything I found out from you about this Neofelis nebulosa, the clouded leopard. What a cool cat, I almost became instantly obsessed with it, partly because my lack of knowledge in it but mostly due to its beauty ! Outstanding, seems like I have very little chances of getting to shoot one in the wild but perhaps the local zoos can make up a bit and give me an oportunity to do it !

Ack, lost my post! Here it is again...in brief!
Love the hunting posture and intense look of this cat, amazing shot with great composition. Perfectly sharp where it counts. Maybe slightly more DOF would be better but can't be sure. Great shot Dan, thanks for the notes too. Now I know there is a site with these cats close to me and that'll make a great visit in the summer.

Salut Dan
Une merveilleuse photo que ce Joli Léopard , il a l'air a etre apres chasse.Très belle composition, les couleurs et le cadrage et les détails sont tous très bons.
Bravo et merci...JP

Nice shot! Eyes are sharply focussed. Good POV

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