Etosha Huntress

[Morkel Erasmus]

A quick break from the Chobe images (not for long!)...


We spent quite a bit of time following this lioness on the edge of the vast Etosha pan as she stalked an oryx. We had to leave before she made an attempt to chase it down (close to sunset and would have been late for the camp gate). On the high res image you can see a puncture wound on her hind quarter where she was wounded by her previous target (also an oryx) shortly before we came across this scene.


The rainy season had just started and seeing the vast landscape enveloped in these heavy deluges was special.


Techs:
Nikon D800
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR-II
Kenko Pro Circular Polariser
f8.0 | 1/400 SS | ISO-1400

PS: the sky shows pixelation and grain in the low res which isn't evident in the high res pre-jpg version...will have to look at that...

[John Robinson]

That is my kind of shot where ever taken! I love subjects which show enough detal in themselves but also in the whole setting. Dont't like the sky though !! I have a phobia with thunderstorms so I wouldn't be much good there !!
Like it all around.
JohnR

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - Nice animalscape with interest in all the layers. I like the placement of the lioness in frame. I might just back off on the sharpening slightly or detail extractor if you used it. I see the noise, wondering if it is a compression issue.
TFS,
Rachel

[Miguel Palaviccini]

A gorgeous environmental shot with the lioness placed nicely in the frame.

Not sure that the grain in the sky is a bad thing. I think it adds to the feel of the image.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I love the space around the lioness and how perfect you've portrayed its immediate environment, Morkel! I can almost smell the dust, fog & dry grass combo! Well done!

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Morkel, I too like the wider POV and vast expanse of the environment and as Peter said, the lioness ready for the hunt. I wonder if a Curves adjustment of the Red channel may help, looks as if it maybe running a tad high, although just reading the techs and I think it's the CP for me, that is the issue in the colour, as it has that distinctive look.

TFS
Steve

[Marc Mol]

Love this animalscape here Morkel and can see the difference the CPL has made, I'm guessing that is dust patterns in the lower sky, correct? They really enhance this nicely.

[Neil Burton]

Colours work for me, this is a great example of when to backoff!

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel
nice Etosha animal scape with good positioning of the subject in the frame. Like the wide open landscape and the dust swirls in the BG .
I like the overall tonality and the coloration , just wanted to ask about the greenish stuff in the pan, but then remembered you saying something about algae in another thread that you posted.If i remember correctly .
Ilove Etosha……………….

Good job Morkel .
TFS Andreas

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks.

Marc - dust patterns combined with falling rain, mate