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Young and tender


Young and tender
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: 2004-12-09
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Sigma 170-500mm APO, Digital ISO 400, Skylight
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Juveniles [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-12-14 4:02
Viewed: 6509
Favorites: 4 [view]
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this young impala in the Kragga Kamma Game park in the Eastern Cape during my recent business trip. This very young impala was sticking to its mothers side, but also had an interest in all the new things around it, including me.
I tried cropping it different by leaving more space on the left, and then on the right, but somehow a more centered approach suited this shot better.

More about the Impala (Aepyceros melampus).

It is perhaps a pity that these animals are so abundant that their presence becomes monotonous and their grace and beauty tends to be ignored or taken for granted.
Commonly found in groups of about 10 to 30 head, there are nevertheless many herds which contain more than 100 of these agile antelope.
The herd structure varies according to the reproductive phase of the animals. The impala’s mating season generally lasts from April to early June, and during these months bachelor herds will form. These are males incapable of securing their own small harem of females. During this mating season dominant aggressive males will fight fiercely with their horns, the two duelling opponents grimly facing each other with lowered heads, horns pointed forward, with sudden rushes they attempt to stab each other, but, almost invariably, the result is a loud clash of interlocking horns. Pushing and wrestling, they will at tempt to unbalance each other. After a while they suddenly separate, their heaving chests fighting for air, acutely aware of each other and awaiting the next rush. Often, having done battle for a while, one of the males will sense that he is the weaker of the two and when an opportunity arises will turn and run. The victor will then gather a small herd of females with which he alone will have the right to mate.
After the mating season males become less aggressive towards each other and the mating herds and bachelor herds break up to be replaced by mixed herds in which the two sexes intermingle peacefully.
In early November the first of the young impala are born, and lambing continues until about the end of December.
Only the male impala have horns, and they also emit a loud, deep throated raspy sound which serves to alert the herd. Readied by this warning, the animals will scatter at the further sign of danger, leaping over shrubs or other obstructions. Occasionally when startled they may run across roads and give displays of very high and graceful bounds, often without any obstruction or other obvious reason to do so.

Program Setting: Aperture Priority
Focal Length: 270mm
F Stop: F/16
Shutter Speed: 1/200 sec
ISO: 400
Tripod: No
Flash: Off Camera TTL
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
White Balance: Sunlight
red45, papkin, Lesley, ellis49, RAP, marhowie, willie, Luc, ljsugarnspice, extramundi, gerhardt, jhm, Lourens, Callie, mumek, Janice, deud, Leace has marked this note useful
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To extramundi: Criticjapie 1 12-15 00:01
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Critiques [Translate]

Great shot Japie, amazing colors and details.
Very well done
Congratulations!

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2004-12-14 4:45]

Sunny and joyfull. Great colours and sharpness. Big ears :-)

Beautiful composition,fantastic photo.
Sigma 170-500mm APO very good lens.

Super and huge "cuteness factor" here, Japie. Wonderfully rendered and the pose of the little one is too adorable. This photo was a nice way to start my day!

  • Great 
  • sanora (0)
  • [2004-12-14 7:07]

I am amazed, this is a perfect photo.

Great shot Japie.
I love this. The cute factor are very high.
Great composition , colours and very good sharpness-
Great note.
Excellent work.

Japie, How cute!!!! And those big ears take the cake! Rich color-tones with great sharpness & details. A favorite!!

  • Great 
  • willie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1023 W: 61 N: 648] (2083)
  • [2004-12-14 12:25]

Oulike Bokkie Japie.
Very nice portrayel of new life. This year has been an exceptionally good year for young game being born which is an indicator that we will get good rains this year.
Your post is great.
Well done

I think the title describes the shot perfectly this time.
A very nice photo, you got a cartoon expression in the face.
As I am very critic lately :) ,I will just say I miss a bit of contrast o levels to make black, blacker (subjetive stuff).
Great post, thanks Japie.

Japie, you are indeed a well travelled visitor in our own country. Great shot. Love this.

Is die werk al amper klaar?

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2004-12-15 9:59]

Salut Japie!
Je ne sais pas pourquoi ces photos de bébés sont si poignantes. Probablement parce que ça rejoint le 'bébé' en moi.
Merci

Hello Japie!
I do not know why these babies' photos are so poignant. Probably because that joins the 'baby' in me.
Thank you

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2004-12-15 13:49]

Hallo Japie, wat een mooi shot van dit prachtig dier, moeder en dochter/zoon met schitterend kleuren, de grote oren zijn zeer functioneel voor dit kleine dier, mooi gedaan!
Groeten,
John

Japie, hierdie is absoluut 'n prag foto!! Excellent capture. I have been trying to get something like this for some time - but no luck yet. Good work.

I hope you are not alluding the title to their steak!

Pragtig gedoen Japie!

I love the way the kid is giving you a "kid" look, like any teenager would when you would try to take a snap at it!

  • Great 
  • mumek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 104 W: 0 N: 180] (853)
  • [2004-12-17 15:31]

Japie!
Lovely face of the youngster.Very good composition with beautiful colors.Super

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2004-12-19 22:37]

Beautiful shot Japie. I love that little cute one's ears. Very sharp and clear. TFS, Janice

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 438 W: 11 N: 534] (2540)
  • [2004-12-20 7:54]

cute shot with this young. amazing colours and great details. well done

Hi Japie,
In my mind, Impalas are the most elegant antelopes in South Africa. A baby Impala is one of the cutest baby animal! When they stagger around, mostly on three legs, which collapse from time to time, one wonders if the legs are strong enough...

Thank you for sharing your work, and I have added your photo to my new group "Juveniles"

Greetings from the Tzaneen Dam, Limpopo
Ingrid Shaul

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