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Sunset Lion


Sunset Lion
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2001-08
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 1D Mark II, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS, Fuji Provia 100
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-10-25 23:48
Viewed: 5828
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this shot as the sun was setting - the last rays caught the lion quite nicely - I thought. The lion and nearby lioness were waiting to start eating a giraffe which had died nearby (lions rarely prey on giraffe - their kick can disembowel a lion). As the sun set, they moved to the giraffe and started to eat it - the sounds were - memorable!

The lion is the second largest feline after the tiger. With powerful legs, a strong jaw, and long canine teeth, the lion can bring down and kill large prey. Lion coloration varies from light buff to yellowish, reddish or dark ochraceous brown. The underparts are generally lighter and the tail tuft is black. The color of the mane varies from blond to black.

Average listed weights for the lions are between 150–225 kg (330–500 lb) for males, and 120–150 kg (260–330 lb) for females. Nowell and Jackson report average weights of 181 kg for males and 126 kg for females; one male shot near Mount Kenya was weighed at 272 kg (600 lb).[20] Head and body length is 170–250 cm (5 ft 7 in–8 ft 2 in) in males and 140–175 cm (4 ft 7 in–5 ft 9 in) in females; shoulder height is about 123 cm (4 ft) in males and 100 cm (3 ft 3 in) in females. The tail length is 70–100 cm (2 ft 3 in–3 ft 3 in). The tail ends in a hairy tuft. The tuft conceals a spine, approximately 5 mm long, formed of the final sections of tail bone fused together. The lion is the only felid to have a tufted tail and the function of the tuft and spine are unknown. Absent at birth, the tuft develops around 5½ months of age and readily identifiable at 7 months.
SelenE, PaulH, gracious, joey, rousettus, jaycee, Alex99, vanderschelden, angybone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 586 W: 12 N: 1682] (6165)
  • [2007-10-25 23:50]

Hello James,
Very beautiful capture, a imposing image of
the King of the jungle. Great POV and DOF
Excellent composition.. Well done

Everton

Hello James,
Lovely colours and a great pose!
Looks like he actually is sunning, while having a rest by the end of the day...
A well balanced composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2249 W: 65 N: 4205] (13972)
  • [2007-10-26 0:43]

Hi James,
Light is great. The lion looks so lovely and handsome. Nice colors and composition, good pose. TFS
Have a nice weekend
Selen

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2007-10-26 0:51]

Hi James,
tremendous shot, great to see him in his natural environment. The sunset ligthing has given this great ambience, he has that effortless proud spose that only a male Lion can do!
tfs and have a good weekend,
Paul

Hello James,
awesome pose of the king with the golden setting sunlight!
Perfect exposure and focus with perfect sharpness, vivid colour and details
very useful notes and well composed
well done
have a wonderful weekend, James!
cheers
Tony

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-10-26 3:44]

What a superb shot James!!
The golden light is just beautiful!
+++ Superb POV and pose with the lion looking straight into the golden sun which casts beautiful lighting over the scene.
Great sharpness and definition, it is also very detailed.
Perfectly composed aswell. Great DOF and the BG and foreground really give a sense of this lion's habitat.
Excellent notes aswell.
--- Nothing :)
What a sight!
Well done and TFS,
Joe

Hi James,
my status is similar with yours. Internet doesnt work very good here. I have not enough time for writing too. Sorry I cant write anything for yours.
Well, this is perfect capture with fine sharpness and details, superb colors. lighting, composition with bush, POV/DOF very nice. notes always good and informative. Thank you very much and best wishes from Cyprus.
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-10-26 10:06]

Hi James,

A beautiful shot of this lion at sunset. I love the golden tones. The handsome animal looks wonderful in his natural habitat. Excellent details, colors and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-10-26 10:15]

Hi James.
Your are right. Evening sunlight and lion this is amazing combination. Pose of the animal, scenery of the shot, excellent DOF and level of sharpness are very impressive. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.
P.S. I have added WS to my last post.

Hi James...
How are you?
The sunsetting or sunsitting King:-) Magic light, James.
Wonderful!
Must have been quite an experience...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-10-26 20:41]

Hello James

Lovely warm lighting.The lion seems to be daydreaming as it gazes into the sunset.Actually he probably is just coming up with a game plan on "how to eat a giraffe".Nicely composed in a natural setting.Luckily he is thinking giraffe and not a Jamesp.LOL.TFS

Rob

Wow, that's some amazing lighting. BGorgeous.
Interesting notes too.
You go to the most amazing places...wow!

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