Doomed

This wildebeest cow crossed the Mara River with her calf, but no accompanying herds. She avoided a large crocodile but as she came out of the river on our side, a lioness came out from beside our 4x4 and within minutes she was dead. I look at this image and realise that she had little chance crossing the river at this time of year. I have done little to the image but felt it suited the OOTB forum more than the wildlife forum. Glad to have any opinions.
7D; EF300mm IS; f19; 1/250; ISO 200; Hand held

Hilary, I love the blasted highlight look. Artie showed me that technique and it's very interesting. Sad to think about the brutal reality of life in the wild.

Thanks for sharing the story which makes this image so much more interesting. My only suggestion would be to clear some of the darkened spots around the head of the wildebeest. TFS.

Hi Hilary, I like the high-contrast look here. To me, it gives the image a desolate feel that goes well with the story behind it. I agree with Indranil's suggestion on clearing some of the spots around the wildebeest's head, it would help make a stronger silhouette.

I like the look. How did you determine the exposure? In these situations it pays to make as many images as possible in an effort to create one where the subject does not at all get lost in the BKGR. The animal does looked doomed.

Hillary - the high contrast really adds to the drama.

Arthur, I took a series of 6 shots and chose the best one to represent the 'doomed' theme I had in mind. I was set on Tv for a series of pix I took of the lions before seeing the wildebeest enter the river. If I had time I might have changed my Tv setting but events overtook me and I was a bit slow. I did the light reading on the river to my other side and I also had a one stop exp compensation. The crossing took less than 30 seconds going on my time readings. Unfortunately, as the wildebeest came out of the water the lionness was after her too quickly for me to change my shutter speed so the photos of the chase and kill have some slight blur but not as much as I expected with a hand held pan with the 300mm lens (new lens and a bit inexperienced with it). Still, I have the shots and may never see another thing like it so I won't complain. I am finding that by critiquing other photos and having mine also critiqued I am analysing some of the changes I need to be able to make quickly so am hopeful that my next trip will produce better and more! :)

Thanks Indranil and Christopher, I'll have a try with the wilde head and see what I think.

Thanks Cheryl and everyone, I've learnt a bit from this thread.

Hi Hilary, Thanks for the info. When you say one stop of compensation, was that one stop of underexposure?