Walk the Dog

[Morkel Erasmus]

Another frame from our amazing encounter with the Vundu pack of African Painted Dogs in Mana Pools early in September. They were just finishing off the last 2 of 4 kills they'd made that morning, and the light was sweet. This was taken while crouching low to the ground close to this male who strolled past us. This pack has of late brought their new pups out of the den to hunt with them, and the total size of the pack is now in the region of 35 individuals - which makes for a lot of meat needed to feed them. There are currently 3-4 regularly seen packs in the greater Mana Pools area, most of them between 13 and 30 dogs strong. It really is a stronghold for this species under peril!

Techs:
Nikon D3s
Nikkor 500mm f4 VR-II
f6.3 | 1/1250 SS | ISO-1400

[Gabriela Plesea]

Morkel-I am jealous!

Lovely image and great techs, no noise whatsoever from Mr D3S of course , and that BG is to die for! Stunning WD in great light and I love the presentation, mmm...would really, really like to have one like this in my folders too

Nite Morkel, congrats on this one, I like it very very much!

[Loi Nguyen]

Morkel, Gabriela has summed it up for me. Great image. Nothing beats being in the right palce at the right time and mastering of your gear. Loi

[Mark Needham]

Awesome subject, killer light, and great low angle and pose! Gabriela hit all of my thoughts on this one. Would love to have it in my portfolio. Quick question, is this FF or a crop? If a crop, I would be curious to see it with more space on the LHS for the pooch to "walk into."

[Dvir Barkay]

Great one Morkel, no nits, maybe about 20 more px of foreground as it is ever so slightly tight on the eyes.

[Douglas Bolt]

Love it!

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Morkel - congrats on this one! Beautiful light. Details, pov and walking pose all work. I'm another vote for a bit more room on the left and below if you have it.

TFS,
Rachel

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Superb image of WD in lovely light, very nice BG and POV.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks folks.
Should have mentioned - full frame except for a slice off the top to balance the bottom tightness!

[BenBotha]

Great image, fantastic light. Nothing to add.
Ben

[Steve Kaluski]

Very nice indeed Morkel, I'm cool about the LHS, it's at the foot I find a wee bit tight, just a sliver more.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Very nice indeed Morkel, I'm cool about the LHS, it's at the foot I find a wee bit tight, just a sliver more.

At least I didn't cut something off, LOL
As you know, Steve, often with them filling the frame like this and you trying to pan with it and keep the AF point on the eye, minor things like bottom space slip from the mind

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot Morkel, excellent detail, I like the shot as is but would consider making him a tad smaller in the frame, the old cliche about the head turn rings here but that is a beautiful image.

[Nancy Bell]

Just adding my admiration for this awesome image and experience! I've yet to see a wild dog and they are high on my wanted list.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Morkel , i am late , so i keep it simple ......... . Very nice work

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Morkel

Special light is your trademark, well done!

[Carl Walker]

Great light and well framed Morkel.