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Stu Bowie
10-22-2009, 09:41 AM
When one visits the private game reserves, you are taken out in a completely open landrover. No roof, and just half a door, so you are actually exposed to all the animals. You are also guranteed to be up close and personal with the big 5. Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. This particular night, we were waiting for this huge male leopard to come down from a kill in a tree, and the ranger and tracker knew that he had to come our way to walk to the dam to drink. He walked past us, and we slowly followed alongside him, all the while taking shots. As he got to the dam, he stopped, we stopped as we knew he had spotted something - next moment he caught this scrub hare, and this is what I captured. A lower angle wasnt possible.

Canon 20D
24-105 @ 65mm
1/320
F/4.0
ISO 400

External flash used + spot light from the vehicle
Geurt Bloem
10-22-2009, 12:48 PM
Lovely image Stu. Looking at this tom's bulging stomach, it is clear that he has already fed so this hare plainly just an opportunity that presented itself and a leopard never misses an opportunity, does it!
Marc Mol
10-22-2009, 04:47 PM
Great opportunistic shot Stuart, .........now only if he could have looked up at you.
Alfred Forns
10-22-2009, 05:39 PM
Would be having a sensory overload !!!! ..... @ 65 mm !!! love it

Like it as presented ... even has the prey facing the camera !!!
Stephen Stephen
10-22-2009, 07:18 PM
Stuart I'm not sure I could have held the camera steady if I had been there. It must have been very exciting. You have it all here: nighttime predator with freshly caught prey.
Harshad Barve
10-23-2009, 02:19 AM
OMG , at 65mm
lovely shot and angle do not bother me here
TFS
Morkel Erasmus
10-23-2009, 06:46 AM
great work Stu - must've been amazing sight so close to you. on which reserve was this?
Stu Bowie
10-23-2009, 01:30 PM
Thank you all for the kind words.

Mork, we stayed at a small lodge called Ntomi House, very close to Aruthusa. We had the lodge, vehicle, ranger and tracker all to ourselves for three days. ( I went with Bunty 007 - he has contacts all over the place. )
David Fletcher
10-24-2009, 12:52 PM
Great story, shot and info Stu. Appreciated. Leopards just can't help themselves. Probably why they do well. Great shot. VWD!
Steve Canuel
10-25-2009, 03:10 PM
That is one healthy looking leopard. Nicely composed.
Stu Bowie
10-26-2009, 01:27 PM
Dave, Steve, thanks a stack guys. Much appreciated.