Frustrating Leopard

[Morkel Erasmus]

Well, since it's become leopard week... :)

This must be the most frustrating leopard sighting I've had. We were trying to locate this male leopard (called the Tekwaan male) in the Sabi Sands one morning, but he had disappeared into a natural drainage system. We were right on top of him but couldn't see him. We then left for our morning coffee, and they picked him up again as he came out of the drainage system, but then he was lost again. Our ranger eventually found him at the bottom of a semi-dry riverbed (we had to descent into the riverbed with the 4x4s as only the Sabi Sands rangers know how to do). We then followed him as he went for a drink, but the bugger only gave me ONE good moment of eye contact, the rest was either behind grass or he was in golden light in front of us but looking away the whole time. :confused::2eyes2:

This is my one good shot with eye contact, right after he finished drinking. I probably screwed the framing up here. My wife was using the 70-200 and she got better full body shots but with the tail cut off etc (she is still in learning ;))

Techs:
Nikon D300s with Nikkor 200-400mm VR @ 200mm
f4.0 @ 1/2500 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.3
Almost full frame, cropped slightly from bottom and left

[Ken Watkins]

Hi Morkel,

They are not meant to be easy:D

Nice image no sticks in the wrong places and little grass.

I always think they look better on the ground.

[Danny J Brown]

Morkel - Nevertheless, I think this is a beautiful composition and needs no explanation. Gorgeous, up-close view of an animal most of us will never see outside a zoo.

DB

[peter delaney]

At least you got the shot!
welcome to my world!!! frustrating is just the start of it.... wait till you start talking/giving out to to yourself :D

will be interesting when your wife become s really good at photography, who will get the best lenses on photographic trips!!:)

[Hendri Venter]

You made full use of that one moment Morkel. I like the pose and the quality is tops.

[Charissa]

Still a super shot Morkel, and all the effort was more than worth it. Lovely detail, crisp image.

[Katie Rupp]

Great story to go with this image and congrats on getting it right while you had the chance!

[Nico Steenberg]

Great sharpness and exposure Morkel !

[DanWalters]

Really like how the background color compliments the leopard. Nice light as well.

[Hilary Hann]

Looking forward to the day Mrs Morkel posts here! :)

It looks like he still has water drops on his mouth, I do like the way he is looking and congratulate you for being determined to get something. Would have been nice to see that front paw, but the overall pose is very pleasing. Tricky beasts.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the comments everyone...

Peter - I do talk and "give out" to myself quite a bit when photographing a fleeting memorable scene and I'm not getting it right...ask my wife...my favourite is when the memory card becomes full halfway through a good sighting :)

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Mork, just love that stare, and how are those eyes. I know what you mean by saying that you didnt the shot that you wanted.

[Harshad Barve]

You gotta love those eyes here Morkelbhai , excellent image
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Stu & Harshadbhai...