Impala Clash #1

[Morkel Erasmus]

Hey everyone! Finding a quick minute to post something in between intermittent trips and some work left undone.

We just returned from the Northern part of Kruger, and it was amazing. I've never seen the place so lush and green, rains were good this season and many of the rivers that are perpetually dry are overflowing. Wildlife was plenty and so was birdlife - especially our summer visitors.

These 2 impala bucks were having at each other so hard I would clinch my teeth when the horns collided. I was found with too much lens here and tried my best to get close-up shots of the action, as it was quite close to our vehicle. Light was beginning to be hard but I liked the exposure I managed. The intensity in the eyes does it for me. They were behind shrubs for much of the fighting. One of them eventually backed away to the other's ferocious onslaught, but by that time they had twirled around so much I couldn't tell which is which.

No processing done here except cropping a bit off the bottom and left and slight sharpening after resizing.

Techs:
Nikon D300s with 200-400 f4 VR @ 200mm
f5.6 @ 1/1600 SS @ ISO-400

[David Fletcher]

Excellent action and comp Morkel. They sure are really going for it.

[Marc Mol]

Great interaction between these two Morkel, really indicative of these guys.
I see you still have the D300&2-4 combo ;). Are these early Xmas pressies?:p

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Dave & Marc...

@ Dave - they were not really showing charity to each other :)

@ Marc - I used the combo on my Kruger trip but returned it yesterday. Will have to wait a while until I can buy my own...hopefully early next year :(

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely action and nice compo Morkelbhai ,
TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, great interaction, but the light looks a little harsh to me sadly.

Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Harshadbhai & Steve...

here is a version with a cooling filter applied as well as a B&W tweak to make the light appear less harsh?

[Steve Kaluski]

I might be tempted to play with the exposure in PS Adjustment & levels, might help Morkel?

Steve;)

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Morkel I like the action and seeing the eyes clearly !!

I'm sure there is not much time for framing but would have like seeing a little more from the right and cropping the left some !! Fine image any way you presented ... like the color version much better !!!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Excellent action you captured in this image Morkel and great to see the eyes from both Impalas. Awesome timing and thanks for sharing.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the kind comments Judy, Alfred & Steve...

[David Fletcher]

Stick with the color Morkel. Is fine. Of course the light is harsh,,,, but that's when the action is, so go enjoy, I did. Nice one.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Dave