Very Alert

[Stu Bowie]

I went to the nature reserve close to my house this morning and came away with inquisitive mongoose. They had run down the road ahead of me, and then darted into this small ditch next to the road. I managed to get a clear shot between the two upright blades of grass. I like how the grass framed them nicely. Pity the other one wasnt in the full DOF. I cloned in his right eye from the left, as it didnt look too good in capture. Also blurred the BG to make the little guys pop a little more.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/500
F/6.3
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from the car.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Good to have a nature reserve close by. Here I have to drive several hundred miles to reach one. :-(

I like the curious pose. Pity that the one at the back was not paying attention. :-) I wish you had got vegetation at the right side. At the moment the open red patch attracts attention. Which species of mongoose is this?

The mongoose in India are hunted for their hair. Their fine hair are used in the paint brushes. At the moment it is banned though.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Morkel Erasmus]

this is the yellow mongoose, Sabyasachi :) luckily here they aren't hunted per se, but many poultry farmers view them as vermin...

like this shot mate, good job on the eye and blurring the BG, although I think I see some evidence on the LHS mongoose? the one with the stare pops nicely

[Paul Taylor]

Precision catch between the grass stalks! Framing idea works for me, although I also agree the red patch is out of place and it's a pity about the one in the background.

[Gabi Sandu]

Funny subject. Great eye contact, very well composed. I like too how the grass framed the subject.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the feedback and comments. Much appreciated.

[Nate Chappell]

The standing fellow carries the day here for me, a fun shot Stuart.:)

[Callie de Wet]

A lovely pose from the mongoose in the front, and I concur with the comment on the second. A nice, softish frame for the pair , created by the grass. Must get to Rietvlei again, been years since I was there.

[Vida van der Walt]

Adorable little creatures and a great capture Stu. Love the pose and ditto on the framing.:)

[Austin Thomas]

The stare carries this one Stuart and I think the improvements have already been mentioned.

I wish for such a nature reserve so close to home.

Cheers

Austin

[Stu Bowie]

Nate, Callie, Vida, Austin, thanks for your much appreciated comments.