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Thread: Little Rhino in a Big World

  1. #1
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Default Little Rhino in a Big World

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    The little rhino is enjoying a mud bath close to mom. Myself and Andre, silent in the vehicle, watching their every move. Humans and rhino baby stare at each other in wonder for a few seconds. Click click...Just moments after this image was taken he shakes his head vigorously, and even with relatively high shutter speed I cannot get his ears sharp. The light is not great for photography but this is too precious a sighting. Click. The baby rhino eventually settles down in the mud again and picks up a lazy blade of grass nearby, chewing on the side of his mouth with a funny expression on his face. Click click, watch the histogram, not enough shutter speed, oh here it goes...Mom suddenly rolling on the side and mud is flying all over, a sigh of relief and then a quick glance towards her little boy - their exchange appears to be a knowing, mildly amused glance, perhaps they are laughing at us, sharing a private joke...

    Nikon D4
    Nikon 500mm F4
    ISO 3200
    F6.3
    1/1000s

    Hope this moves you, I did my best to describe the circumstances and how I felt at the time. Thank you so much for comments and critique to my previous image, I really appreciate it.

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela - What a great story and sighting! It's always special to see a rhino youngster. You've done well despite the waning light. Nice details and textures brought out. I love that you can see the eye so clearly, not an easy thing. Is this ff? I might prefer a bit more room below for the virtual legs but not a deal breaker.

    TFS,
    Rachel

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Loved the description and the cool pose/expression here Gabriela!
    With the muted colours, I was wondering if pushing vibrance a tad would just make it pop - otherwise a nice silvery/metal sheen monochrome could work too?
    Ditto Rachel on the legroom...but alas, the fixed lens dilemma.
    Morkel Erasmus

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  4. #4
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Dearest Rachel and Morkel, unfortunately no room below, from what I remember I had a tad more above and on the LHS which I had to crop for balance.

    Did any of you notice the little Double Banded Plover in front of the rhino's leg? I only saw him when I was busy processing:) I will have to clone him out, I am afraid.

    Thought about monochrome Morkel, but I have another one that might be even more suitable for the conversion, will share when it is done and I count on your feedback, LOL

    Have a lovely evening, thanks so much for viewing and comments, much appreciated!
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Gaby, great detail on youngster - mud and hide. I do like the hint of youngster maybe aware of your vehicle with that slight staring eye towards you. Even at that age/size, they are solid animals.

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    BPN Member Andreas Liedmann's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela as i already saw this and commented privately i just say this works well as presented for me .
    Love the head shake and Mummy´s big butt on RHS as a anchor point .... LOL !
    Very well processed my dear

    TFS Andreas

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Gabriela, nice 'back to back, bottom kissing' and I love the expression on the calfs face, but I do think it needs more sharpening?

    TFS
    Steve

  8. #8
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you so much Stu, Andreas and Steve

    Steve, I actually had a sharper image and then changed my mind, backed off on sharpening, thinking it was too sharp... Will RP with initial version

    Have a wonderful evening,
    Gabriela Plesea

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    Hi Gabriela -- another lovely image of the rhinos ! the first look at the image and i thought it lacks in sharpening but than Steve has already pointed out the same , keep them coming, TFS !

  10. #10
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Hasseb, here's the initial version of this image, I thought it was too sharp at the time and backed off a little.

    Thank you so much for viewing and feedback, much appreciated

    Looking forward to more images from you,

    Kind regards,
    Gabriela Plesea

  11. #11
    Lifetime Member Ákos Lumnitzer's Avatar
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    Great story and an amazing image.
    Love the muddy look and the eye contact.
    Must be really special to see these guys like you all do on the African continent.

  12. #12
    Story Sequences Moderator and Wildlife Moderator Gabriela Plesea's Avatar
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    Thank you so much Akos - indeed extremely special, but also painful, to see them perish under our eyes. By the way, we lost another two rhino to poachers only a few days ago.

    To think this little guy might not make it to adulthood...I chose this image because he looked so innocent and playful...How can rhino tell between a poacher and a well-wishing park visitor?

    Only a few years ago we used to say " ...been to this game reserve last week-end, eh, rhinos like rats..." Well, this is a thing of the past. So glad you enjoyed viewing, I probably have better images than this, but these days I feel extremely lucky to have a rhino in my folders.

    Hope you have a lovely week-end, thank you so much for viewing and feedback:)
    Gabriela Plesea

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