The 'Scavenger'

[Steve Kaluski]

Like the Hyena, ever optimistic and having found two bounding hyenas along the track, we decided to follow in pursuit, as we could hear the Clan calling a short distance away. Their endurance, like Wild dogs is amazing, just that slow, gentle, canter, as they gain an incredible amount of ground in a very short space of time and then suddenly we had around seven (I think?), all varying in age & size around the vehicle and in the grass. We kept wondering if these had been the same Clan that had attacked the WD's with kill, the previous night, that Rachel posted the kill of a short while back. This is taken from a short stop where they tried to find any remnants from a previous kill.

Suddenly there were off, so we were keen to follow, A, as there could be some action, B, the camp was desperate to locate the den site having been unlucky. So after what seem a age in pursuit, 15-25 minutes of playing hide & seek, they broke cover again which allowed us to follow more easily and in turn, they lead us directly to the den in some thick, dense bush, JP still owes a drink I think Rachel .

Interesting to get that 'Red' Grass.

Steve

Subject: Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 70-200f/2.8 HH
Exposure: 1/500s at f/5.6 ISO3200
Original format: Landscape, slight crop.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - yes, it was a fun ride that morning, especially actually "breaking through" to the den site. Nice early light with this one and I think the open mouth as well as the old kill that they seemed to use as a chew toy both add to the image. Colors look spot on. Any more room on the lhs, just a little tight for me there?

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Sadly not Rachel, at 100mm had to be that tight shooting across JP, and I was getting some of the vehicle in too. It's almost FF all bar the shouting.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

I like the image a lot Steve, the open mouth, the kill on the ground, the vegetation etc. His belly seems 'full'

[Dumay de Boulle]

WOW... She is big girl. Nice detail and exposure is well handled looking where the light seems to have come from.

[Mike Poole]

Lovely capture Steve, particularly with that sunlight on the neck, and the open mouth works very well

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Steve, excellent details and IQ at ISo-3200. Like the pose and she looks like a pregnant mother (or just got her fill). I feel the image a little tight, but understand you have no more room. Loi

[Carl Walker]

Love the typical pose and outstretched legs. great light and IQ. If she is not pregnant it would be a pretty good assumption that she may be the matriarch with that sized animal and bellyful. Certainly looks large enough to be one or the 2nd in heirachy status The horns and even the green vegetation adds to the scene.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Nice luminosity and the hyaena pops nicely even with the close-ish BG, Steve.
Framing is fine for me.
Good to see you pushing the ISO