Young Kalahari Male Lion

[Morkel Erasmus]

I just confirmed a new trip to one of my favourite spots - the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Kalahari desert. The photographic opportunities there are awesome and the predator viewing sublime.

This young male was photographed during a trip in October 2010. The pride was just waking up after a day's sleep. The late afternoon light came from the 'wrong' direction but I still liked the effect here.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 130mm
f6.3 @ 1/500 SS @ ISO-400

[Rudi van den Heever]

Circumstances well handled Morkel! Eish, these kalahari-lions seem to be in great condition for some time now! Fat and happy!:S3:

[Grant Atkinson]

Beautiful work here Morkel, I really like the background colour of the dunes, and the way it contrasts so well with the gold highlights of the lions fur. Also like his upright ears and focused eyes...well done with this one. I might consider a slight crop to get rid of that bright sky corner in the far right of the image?
cheers
Grant

[Harshad Barve]

Lovely pose , lighting and nicely composed, Excellent
TFS

[Rachel Hollander]

Morkel - nice pose. I like the rim light though it is a little harsh under the neck. Great colors of the sand and lion. I agree with Grant about cropping to eliminate the one patch of brighter sky in the urc.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Mork, nothing wrong with the IQ from your 100-400 either. :w3 Good eye contact, and this guy sure does look healthy. Well exposed on the lion for looking into the light.

[ramesh anantharaman]

I love the Backlighting on this huge fellow. the Kind of serene walk is really well captured. despite the light.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for your comments guys...

Grant I was debating that piece of sky during processing - but cropping from the top just made it a tad tight for me :e3

[Dumay de Boulle]

I like it a lot mate...The back lighting is great!

[Robert Amoruso]

Well done for the reasons mentioned.