Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Leopard cubs playtime

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default Leopard cubs playtime

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    One of the highlights of my return to the Sth Luangwa was our discovery of this leopard cub den site tucked away in heavy croton thicket inside this large fallen log.
    Getting a clear shot is never easy with leopards particularly on this occasion, I deliberately left the OOF branches as is, trying to create a sense of secrecy into their private world.
    Here we see two 4 week old cubs, one male, one female at play, certainly the youngest I have witnessed in all my travels to Africa.
    Have a look at the curved branch on the left and you'll see some of the bark stripped off, they were using it as a teething ring.
    As one could appreciate, the light was extremely low and shaded with the sun almost set, with a S/S of only 1/50s the little one on it's back is indicative of that setting.
    It took a while for the pair to gain our confidence, but when they did we were rewarded with some special images, a time not easily forgotten, especially when the very protective mother returned!

    D3s 500VR 1/50s f/4 ISO 6400. Sth Luangwa NP- Zambia Nov 2011.

    C & C most welcome

    Cheers
    Marc


  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
    Posts
    1,058
    Threads
    101
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Marc, nice playful moment but I find the OOF grass very distracting.

  3. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    3,596
    Threads
    260
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    A special sighting for sure and hard to get images. Pretty things leopard cubs.

  4. #4
    Ken Watkins
    Guest

    Default

    Marc,

    Whoever it was who put whatever it is at the bottom should be shot

    But I am willing to live with it for a moment such as this

  5. #5
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Marc, as Hilary mentioned, getting images of cubs at this age is always difficult and they are always in the most inaccessible areas too, so congrats on achieving what you did, coupled with the hi ISO range. Personally Im not sure if the inclusion of the various OOF objects conveys your thoughts and they are more distracting, but if IQ allows perhaps a tighter option maybe more 'acceptable' however that would then go against what you initially wanted to portray. Note sure if you have tried to lighten the fur to the LHS of the more prominent cub, but it doesn't look right I feel, likewise the bark ring, I might have thought it would be more in shadow?

    I assume this is from the previous series, lets hope they make it through to maturity.

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  6. #6
    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Dortmund / Germany
    Posts
    10,906
    Threads
    1,196
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice intimate moment you captured here Marc.Never seen such small leopards.

    Cheers Andreas

  7. #7
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else in the World
    Posts
    4,797
    Threads
    708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Appreciate the comments everyone, many thanks.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Note sure if you have tried to lighten the fur to the LHS of the more prominent cub, but it doesn't look right I feel, likewise the bark ring, I might have thought it would be more in shadow?
    Steve
    No lightening done to either cub nor teething branch Steve, just the usual curve,levels, USM, etc.


  8. #8
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Marc.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Nacka, Stockholm, Sweden
    Posts
    433
    Threads
    43
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I really like this image as it is. It gives us a view in too theirs lives, and this special moment. I think the image works best this way, as image IQ otherwise is not so great. Good handled though with ss of 1/50 sek.

    TFS, Gregor

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    428
    Threads
    61
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great sighting and capture at such a high ISO.

    If only there were less OOF grass to contend with.

  11. #11
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    14,858
    Threads
    1,235
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Sorry I missed this, Marc...
    Most of the stuff I would have mentioned have been noted.
    UBER cute!! Something I would love to see and I'm sure you're cherishing this memory.
    Morkel Erasmus

    WEBSITE


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics