Another leopard - The Descent

[Hilary Hann]

Following on from my previous thread, the leopard descends the fig tree after finding the vultures' nest empty. Midday, Masai Mara.

40D; EF70-200f2.8USM; 200mm; ISO200; f4.0; 1/500 cropped from lhs and rhs to take it from a horizontal to vertical.

There is movement in his front visible paw as I didn't have SS to freeze it. C & C welcomed.

[Morkel Erasmus]

I really like this Hilary! I like how the leopard fits the golden mean shape if you start from bottom left corner, follow the tail and curl it round the front blurred paw. Don't mind the blurred paw as it indicates the motion

[peter delaney]

wow.... great to have witnessed this


TFS
peter

[Hendri Venter]

What a great sighting and image thereof. I agree with Morkel re blurred paw.

[Ken Watkins]

Hilary,

Great image, no problems with the slight blur. I suppose the tree was a little steep for a head first descent:D

[Hilary Hann]

Yes Ken, I was interested to see how this leopard handled coming down the more than 40ft tall tree. Head first until he got to the end of the main branches, then he turned very neatly to take the last third tail first.

Thanks Morkel, Peter and Hendri. I don't think the bokeh is very good but need Artie around to judge this for me seeing as I'm knew to assessing that aspect of my images.

[Harshad Barve]

wow , one dream image of mine , you have done excellent job here Hilary :cheers:
TFS

[Hilary Hann]

Thanks Harshad, I look forward to seeing lots of your African photos next year. :)