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Where's the water? buck


Where's the water? buck
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-11-14
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Digital ISO 200, Skylight
Exposure: f/8, 1/500 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2004-11-19 4:04
Viewed: 8201
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this Waterbuck in the Lion and Rhino reserve while accompanying friends and colleagues from Europe to this reserve.

Appearance
This is a large, robust antelope. Bulls have a shoulder height of 1.4 metres and can weigh up to 260 Kg. Cows are smaller than bulls. Waterbucks have a brownish–grey shaggy coat. The eyes and nose are patched with white, and there is a white collar under the throat. The rump has a characteristic white ring. The large rounded ears are a prominent feature. Only the bulls have long, forward curved horns. Both sexes emit a, not unpleasant, musky smell which normally lingers at resting sites.

Diet
The Waterbuck grazes mainly grass near permanent water sources. They will browse when grass cover is in a poor condition. The Waterbuck is very dependent on water and will drink daily.

Breeding
Mating activities peak during winter, but it can occur at lower intensity the year round. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born, occasionally twins. Births tend to peak during summer. For several weeks new-born will hide-up in the cover of dense bush or long grass, before they join herds by following their mothers.

Behaviour
This is a gregarious antelope. Dominant bulls occupy territories which they defend by aggressive posturing and even fights. Cows, calves and young bachelors congregate in herds. The composition of such herds can vary daily as individuals freely leave or join these. They are strong swimmers and when seriously threatened, will take refuge in deep water. They are found in herds of up to 30 strong.

Habitat
Inhabits only well watered areas, with a strong predilection for dense woody vegetation and good quality medium to tall grasses. The Waterbuck will on occasion venture into open woodlands and floodplains.

Where they are found
In South Africa it is distributed along the major drainage systems of Mpumalanga, Northern Province and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Recently re-introduced at St Lucia and Itala game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal.

Predators
Hyenas, Lions, and Leopards are the major predators, but Crocodiles, Hunting Dogs and Cheetahs also take Waterbuck.

Vital Statistics
Latin Name : Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Weight (Female) : 205 - 250 kg
Weight (Male) : 250 - 270 kg
Length (Female) : 210 cm
Length (Male) : 210 cm
Gestation Period : 9 months
No of Young : 1 calf
Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae
Horns : 75 cm
Breeding : The calves may be born anytime of the year although calving peaks occur in the summer in some areas.


The camera settings:

Focal Length: 500mm
F Stop: F/8
Shutter Speed: 1/500
ISO: 200
Tripod: No
Flash: Yes
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
red45, marhowie, ellis49, Lesley, extramundi, Luc, Lourens, PDP, AndyB, Janice, Bernard, willie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

A great shot Japie, great details & pose.
Well done

And I though you were working so hard... :)

Well all day work and no play... Nice composition and sharpness of this antelope, Japie. I can see by the colour of the grass you also have a dry spell there. Great note too. TFS.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2004-11-19 5:05]

Real Africa as we know it from pictures in books and films. Very good sharpness, fawn colours and great pose. Good job!

Japie, Great title! Well composed with good sharpness & I love those antlers! I always appreciate these shots from your part of the world. It's so great what you can do with a good telephoto..Well done!!

Very good Japie.
Great composition , colours and good details.
I like this very much.
Great note
Very well done.

Wonderful image! I might have given a little more head room on the crop to give the setting a more vast African plains type of feel, but that is only a personal nit-pik and doesn't reflect on the super job you did with this.

You really had a good day last Sunday, the cheetah, the Zebras and this...something else? what a productive day!!! Very good note, thanks.

Japie, your heading is very thought and I test much admiration for this enormous animal which looks at you.
But I have a problem with the framework: I find that it imprisons your subject. I hope not to wound the artist in you.
Thanx

wow, great horns!very good shot, excelent compo and good colours.
excelent work!

What a lovely pose!!! Great picture, Japie. Nice contrast between the dry grass and the Waterbuck. Excellent note.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-11-19 14:46]

Hi Japie, Great shot...it's another one of your animals that I have not seen before. Great work, the composition is great and the pose too. Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-11-19 19:05]

A lovely capture.
Very good composition and colours,I like the inquisitive look he/she is giving.
A great shot,well done.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2004-11-20 1:52]

You captured it in a very good way, Japie. What a great animal, standing so firm and looking at you very calmly, but also ready to run at a second's notice. Excellent note too.

Good shot Japie, the colours of the bush and the buck are great. Great detail. It is a great pose! Well done

Ohh Japie, way to go, buddy ! What a classic, you won a place in my favourites ! This could be a cover !

Good clear image and a great pose from the model.

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-11-20 11:41]

Nice capture Japie. very nice specimen and good Notes. Well Doine

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