Wading Hippo

[Stu Bowie]

Hippo's are very dangerous animals. They seem very placid in the water, but on land, for their size, they can actually run pretty fast. They will have no hesitation to kill a human being. As we see them mostly submerged in water, we dont realize how large these guys are. Taken in the Pilanesberg nature reserve, from a hide.

Canon 50D
100-400 L IS USM @ 235mm
1/500
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held

[Fabs Forns]

You may be in a hide, but he knows you're there :)
The circles in the water give the illusion of needing rotation?
IMO, the image would benefit from a contrast pop and thanks for sharing it, Stuart.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a lot Fabs. I did look at the rotation before posting as I lined up the grass in the water that were vertical. Here is my repost with a CCW rotation, and an S curve to add a bit of pop.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Stuart,
I like the tilt adj of the repost. The left edge of grass (as viewed) seems to better "wrap" around the waves and match up with the direction of the hippo heading slightly down and to the left. Nice look from the hippo too.

[Harshad Barve]

My vote for repost
he seems to be huge guy
Awesome shot
Harshad

[Todd Frost]

Repost looks better, good composition and exposure.

Todd

[Arthur Morris]

The repost is a big improvement. My basic problem with the image is that with all the small grasses and other scuzz in the water the reflection does not add anything. Going in much tighter if possible might have been the best route.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the constructive comments.