Alert Yellow Mongoose

[Stu Bowie]

At close up, these guys have interesting pupils. This guy was quite close to my car, and wasnt really worried about me. After my initial processing, I decided to blur the BG even more, as being close, my aperture was never going to blur the BG enough. Taken at a nature reserve close to my house in Feb this year.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/1000
F/7.1
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand held from the car

[Steve Kaluski]

Nice & sharp where it needs to be Stuart and certainly knocking the BG back has helped define the subject. At full tilt, guess you must have the sharp 100-400 lens:D Personally I would try to do as much in camera and I think the 50D has a DOF button on it, try it. :)

My only feeling is, I would like to have seen this as a portrait, with the inclusion of the front paws, it is crying out for them IMHO. ;)

TFS
Steve

[Stu Bowie]

Steve, thanks a stack for your feedback, always appreciated. With regards to showing the front paws, I have already posted a full body shot of this guy http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=59572 Maybe you mean a close up as per the OP showing the paws???

My 100-400 has been a dream. Most of my avian images are usually shot at the full 400mm, and they are all sharp. Cheers.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stuart, perhaps the OP was stored away in the little bit of grey matter, hence my comments.:)

Nice to know the lens is doing well. ;)

Steve

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Love the alert pose and the excellent detail Stuart. What a cute little carcacter he is. Many thanks for sharing.

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image Stuartbhai , lovely alert pose and fantastic details
TFS

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Stuart Sweet portrait, sharp and appealing !!! Bg blurring looks natural, good PS work !! btw also love my 100-400 and make heavy use of it .. particularly with the 7D !! ... fine combo !!!

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all for the kind words.