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Greater Kudu


Greater Kudu
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-10-03
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC HX1, Sony G lens 20x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 400
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2014-01-23 15:34
Viewed: 3597
Points: 45
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Greater Kudu / Tragelaphus strepsiceros

I still have such a lot of images which I would love to share and it is quite difficult to decide which one of the literary 1000's I have in my archive should be next. A flower, a reptile, a mammal, an insect or should I post the next bird in the series of the birds of the Kruger National Park, or what about one of the lovely landscapes I captured while being on holiday in the beautiful Cape Province?

I wish I could do a posting every day like some members are fortunate to do. Unfortunately that is not possible. Actually I am very lucky to have the opportunity to capture such a diversity of subjects all over our country, but I do not necessarily have to go out and hunt for photographic prospects, as there is a great diversity of subjects in my direct surroundings.

Because the previous images of the animals I captured in the Addo Elephant National Park was so popular by fellow members, I thought I will spoil your eyes a bit more and share a female kudu which I captured on the same day as the warthog which I shared previously. She was posing so willingly (although somewhat wet from the rain) and I was capturing so excitedly.

The greater kudu is considered by many to be the most handsome of the tragelaphine antelopes, which includes the bongo, eland, nyala, bushbuck and sitatunga.

Physical Characteristics
They have five to six stripes and some spots on the body, and a chevron of white hair on the forehead between the eyes, with a long mane below their neck. Their ears are large and coloured red inside. They have spectacular long, spiral horns that can grow as long as 1.83m, making 2½ graceful twists. The horns are seldom used in defence against predators; nor are they an impediment in wooded habitats as-the kudu tilts the chin up and lays the horns against the back, moving easily through dense bush.

Habitat
Lesser kudus are found in acacia and commiphora thornbush in arid savannas; they rely on thickets for security and are rarely found in open or scattered bush. Greater kudus are found in woodlands and bushlands.

Behaviour
The hierarchy among kudu males is usually determined by age and size. Males of about the same size and age engage in sparring contests in which they approach one another slowly, lock horns and push back and forth until one gives up. Usually no serious injuries result, but remains of animals have been found where the two combatants had locked horns in such a way that they could not disengage. Dominance is usually quickly and peacefully determined by a lateral display in which one male stands sideways in front of the other and makes itself look as large as possible. If the other is suitably impressed, dominance is established.

Sometimes males form small bachelor groups, but more commonly they are solitary and widely dispersed.

Diet
Kudus live in the drier areas of eastern and southern Africa, wherever there is adequate low- and medium-level woody growth to provide food and shelter. They are browsers and eat leaves and shoots from a variety of plants. In dry seasons, they eat wild watermelons and other fruit for the liquid they provide. The lesser kudu is less dependent on water sources than the greater kudu. Where farming has developed near their habitat, kudus will sometimes make nocturnal visits to plantations and vegetable plots. As they can make spectacular leaps of up to 2m, it takes a high fence to keep them out.

Caring for the Young
Females and their offspring form small groups of 6 to 10. The males usually only join them during mating season.

The pregnant female departs from her group to give birth, leaving the newborn lying out for 4 or 5 weeks, one of the longest periods of all the antelopes. The calf then begins to accompany its mother for short periods of time and by 3 or 4 months is with her constantly. Soon after, the mother and calf rejoin the female's group. Calves grow rapidly and at 6 months are fairly independent of their mothers.

Predators
Lions, leopards, hunting dogs and spotted hyenas hunt kudu, and cheetahs, smaller cats, eagles and pythons prey on the young. Their numbers are also affected by humans hunting them for their meat, hides and horns, or using their habitats for charcoal burning and farming. Kudus are highly susceptible to the rinderpest virus, and many scientists think recurring epidemics of the disease have reduced kudu populations in East Africa.

Did you know?
Their cryptic colouring and markings protect kudus by camouflaging them. If alarmed they usually stand still and are very difficult to spot. Kudus normally restrict their movements to a small home range, but the scarcity of food in dry season may prompt them to roam more widely. Source

I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
CeltickRanger, kinglove, maaciejka, Hotelcalifornia, nanreh, Chiza, iti, Ishi, KOMSIS, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2014-01-23 15:52]

Hi Anna,magnificent capture of this very rare guest of TN,in pose as a movie star only for you and your camera,you caught very well this opportunity,it isn't purple but im sure that you like it...eehehe..have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Hello Anna

Beautiful close-up photo of the Greater Kudu with fine lateral POV obtaining
his head turned glance and eye-contact, excellent DOF, beautiful light,
great focus, sharpness, details, and contrast, TFS

Asbed

Hello Anna
Fantastic image.
Superb clarity and colour.
Love to see the original ambiance.
Best wishes,
Samiran

Hello Anna
照的清晰 很漂亮的鹿
一種國王的架勢 真是漂亮
顏色樸素卻很高雅 光線亮麗
整體都很清楚 皮毛的光澤真是美麗 神情安然美麗
構圖美麗 背景深遂
謝謝分享
STONE

Hi Anna,
beautiful animal. Excellent presentation and composition. Perfect point of view.
Have a nice day,
Maciek

Hi Anna,
Standing so proud and alert, excellent sharpness, superb composition, great effort here my good friend and very well done,

Best Regards,

Pauly.

Ciao Anna, great capture of cute creatuire in nice pose, beautiful ambientation, fine details, splendid light, excellent sharpness and wonderful colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2014-01-24 0:17]

Hella Anna
Kudu is very alien to me. Such a lovely animal with well seen details and pose. The green background is always attractive. I like the thick hairs on its body.
Very well seen and appreciated its ,
Pleasant composition.

Regards
Foozi

Hello Anna,
Beautiful picture of this Female Kudu.Nice capture.I like its pose.Nice details and colour.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards and have a nice time,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2014-01-24 6:48]

Hello Anna,
Fascinating photo of this Greater Kudu in bright saturated colours and wonderful sharpness and details. Excellent composition.
Regards,
Peter

Wonderful focus has been achieved in this huge antelope. Wet fur adds a special charm to this stunning capture.

Thanks for sharing this very symbol of wild Africa, the mighty Kudu.

A big hug, Madam
from Argentina,
Hernán Bortondello

Beautiful animal Anna! Great photo too! Very good composition, fantastic lighting and impressive sharpness!
Regards,
Christodoulos

  • Great 
  • Chiza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 133 W: 0 N: 474] (5351)
  • [2014-01-24 10:10]

Hola Anna, que belleza de foto de este hermoso mamífero que se mira poderoso, me gusta la composición, el entorno, color y luz...saludos.

Hello Anna
Best wishes for 2014 my dear!
Great capture of this species I saw in the Kruger in 1991 :). Impressive clarity,wonderful natural colours and amazing sharpness.Congrats!
Have a great WE!
Kind regards
J.Diogo

hallo Anna
Great sharpness and good details
the colours and light are beautiful
great shot, i like it
thanks greeting lou

Very nice pose and I like the wet look. Sharp, good composition. The background could be more muted, but on the other hand it shows the animal in its natural environment.

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2014-01-25 9:09]

Hi Anna,
Excellent portrait of this kudu,amazing colors and perfectly sharp photo.
Regards Jiri.

  • Great 
  • Ishi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 298 W: 21 N: 1943] (13387)
  • [2014-01-25 11:11]

Impressive animal, very well photographed. The lush vegetation is a fitting backdrop. Thanks also for the detailed interesting note!

Have a pleasant weekend, Anna,

Ishi

  • Great 
  • KOMSIS Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 820 W: 0 N: 2419] (10674)
  • [2014-01-26 4:43]

Hallo Anna,
An excellent capture ..
Very nice presentation of this Greater Kudu in very good sharpness, details and fine natural colours.
Best wishes,
Seyfi

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2014-01-26 23:00]

Hi Anna.
As usual your note is very interesting and supplements your wonderful picture excellently. It is great luck to have such opportunities, to watch and capture so beautiful animals at so fine surroundings. Pictured Kudu is simply charming and its pose cannot be better for shooting. I also very impressed with vivid colours of the luxury vegetations around. Many thanks for next wild nature masterpiece from you.
Alexei.

This is great image and details......

Abhirup

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2014-01-27 18:28]

Hello Anna,
A great shot of this fine looking Kudu. I must say it sure has some thick looking fur which seems to be standing on end.
We really don't have anything here in Ohio to compare to such a large critter like this, other then our white-tailed deer. A real beauty and shown in exceptional detail. Great work!!
Ron

Another masterpiece here dear Anna. Bright colours. Amazing light.

Roberto

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