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Its a kind of lazy life


Its a kind of lazy life
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-12-06
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 80-400 OS
Exposure: f/18.0, 1/80 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): African Felines, Felidae of the world: First series [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-12-22 3:54
Viewed: 5114
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a young Kalahari male, VERY tired, as he was lazing the hours away the whole day next to one of the water holes in the park.

The water holes in the park are all manmade – there are nowhere any natural surface water to be found. However, in the beginning of the twentieth century, just before WW1, a lot of boreholes were sunk into the dry riverbeds of the Auob and Nossob. These were given very strange names by very eccentric characters, and one can fine some unexpected Scottish names here like Kielie Krankie, Munro, Dal Keith and also Dutch and San names like Dikbaardskolk or Quibitje Quab. The long and short of this is that these boreholes are the watering places for the denizens of the park, especially those that are dependent on water for their survival.

Lions can survive in the harsh Kalahari environment, but they belong to those who need water on a daily basis. We first encountered this guy and his brother below the tree at Deriende Boorgat – Thirteenth Borehole. Only two of these boreholes are referred to “borehole”. Viz 13th & 14th Boreholes. Their names were previous Grootskrei and Kleinskrei, Dutch names referring to violent large and small bowel movement. The water is not always sweet, so it can affect one’s tummy in an embarrassing way!

Anyway, back to our intrepid lion – the two brothers were horizontal when we first encountered them around noon. The one deigned to lift a head in our direction, but the effort was too much to maintain. When we returned some hours later, they have move on about 100 m and were on the verge of the road, where this picture was taken. The strange, thorny plant at his shoulder is a Mexican Thistle, I think. It is a thorny, useless weed that one can encounter anywhere on disturbed soil in SA - a vegetable persona non grata and declared weed.

Taking pictures of any yawn is very difficult – I do not think it is really possible to get a picture with open eyes, and I have tried often enough. So, if anyone out there on TN knows the secret. Spill it out!

SHOOTING DETAILS
Venue : KTFP – Auob road
Date : 6th December 2004
Time : 16h55
Camera : Nikon D70
Lens : Sigma 80-400 EX OS
Focal length : 400 mm
ISO : 200
EV : -0,7
Exposure mode : Aperture Priority
F-stop : F18
Shutter speed : 1/80
Flash : Balanced iTTL off Camera SB800
Support : handheld
willie, red45, CaptiveLight, Signal-Womb, IdoTT, mogens-j, JeanMichel, milloup, NitzanCK, Luc, dsidwell, Lourens has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Composition: ***
Sharpness: ***
Color: ****
DOF: ***
POV: ****
Note: ****

Great shot, beautiful "cat", I just don't like your choise of frame, but that's a matter of taste.

I like this pose Callie. He looks like he is asking for a cold beer. It is the festive season afterall.
Good shot, excellent detail and good composition. Well done.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2004-12-22 4:42]

Great pose of this lazy cat. Looks really relaxed :-)

I love the expression on his face...I feel like that sometimes! Another good one Callie

Very good Callie.
Looks very thirsty , Willie is right she looking for a cold beer.
Good details and colours and a great note.
Very well done.

Love these shots of the "Big Cats" that only the "Big Zooms" can bring us. Great capture and very natural pose. Great stuff Callie.

  • Great 
  • IdoTT Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 19 N: 86] (482)
  • [2004-12-22 14:44]

Great pic Callie!
Well captured and photographed!
Excellent BG and DOF!
I like the opend mouth of the Kalahari.

WellDone

Oh, he really looks lazy - are you sure he is awake. Lovely pose. The colours in the fur look a little blue - could be my monitor or may be they changes when he become adult.

I'll watch my (small)cat and dog about yawning, but it seems they half close eyes like your lion :-). A great pose, tilted head like if it was too heavy. Very good colors of a hot day. Great light on the chops and the tongue. But I wouldn't trust his sleepy attitude. Very good shot, Callie.

Nice pink tongue, but not possible to check for tonsilitis from this angle. He does look okay, though ;-)) Nice colour range, he blends in very well.
Concerning yawns, try paying attention to what happens the next time you yourself yawn - you'll likely find that you, too, half close your eyes then. I reckon your only chance of getting an open mouth + wide open eyes would be to have the animal wide-eyed and open-mouthed with fright, so try scaring him a bit next time ;-))

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-12-23 15:49]

I see Bente has had some experience in yawning! This is a beautiful capture and the lighting and the exposure thereof is excellent.

Very well done and thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2004-12-23 19:44]

A great yawn, Callie. I like it very much.
An excellent post: picture ans note.
Thanks

We can see here how well the lion can blend into his surroundings. You still manage to find ways to make sure he is who we see in the photo. Nice pose, too!

Great shot, Callie. Nice shot of this young male. Nice detail and light. Nice work.

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2004-12-28 2:33]

Hij heeft blijkbaar nog niet veel geslapen Callie, want hij ziet er zeer rustig uit, maar wel zeer mooi in beeld gebracht, jammer dat zijn tanden niet te zien zijn.
Ik vind uw teksten altijd zo perfect Callie, proficiat van mij.

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