Marula's are great cat climbing trees

[Carl Walker]

When I found this lioness there were two white rhino adults harassing her. They would follow her and occasionally run at her until finally she found a marula tree and climbed up it. Was a lovely late afternoon with great light.



7d - canon 70-200mm f2,8 mk II @200mm

DPP conversion
PS CC14 - WB, LM, curves, sat adj layer, usm
Cloned out a few minor twigs. On the bottom right I can now see that I was not too careful with my crop.

C&C welcome - thanks

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Great image Carl. I like the awkward pose on the tree giving a sense of uneasiness the lion must be feeling due the rhinos, the look back pose is cool, nice light & details. Good one Carl.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Carl,
Nice looking tree, provides an interesting perch for this cat. I like the expression of the lion as well as the pose. IQ looks pretty good too.

[hennieloots]

Hi Carl - Cool image with the uneasy pose and look back fitting the background sequence of events. I like the square crop here. Nice colors and tone. Good IQ.
TFS, Hennie

[Morkel Erasmus]

Great sighting and capture, Carl!
Nicely fit into the frame too.
I'd tone down overall highlights just a tad, and add a hint more midtone contrast?

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Carl - Great to see a lion in a tree and sounds like amazing interaction. I hope you have some of the rhinos too and perhaps some showing all 3. Great pose. Good suggestions by Morkel. If it were mine I would back off on the sharpening of the tree just slightly and also drop the reds very slightly.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Carl, first question, did you need such a high ISO/SS for this and is this shot portrait or landscape?

The reason I ask about the format is that I'm OK with the crop as presented, but wonder if either a bit more above and below would help, or a bit above and more to the right? Obviously without seeing the original it's only guessing. At f/8 you have enough DoF and providing you have the FP on the head then for me, a few more rounds of light USM brings out more detail, but only apply to the lioness. I like the pose, but do feel it must be rather awkward/uncomfortable.

TFS
Steve

[Carl Walker]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.
Steve there was a lot happening. Moving into position without disturbing behaviour too much and anticipating some action. Shot in landscape format - nothing on the right or bottom. I have even more awkward looking shots.

[Steve Kaluski]

OK, thanks.

[Rudi van den Heever]

Nice story and great sighting! The square comp works strangely good for me here!