Forgive me for not passing that many comments/critiques tonight, I had a rather tough Friday at work...
But here's something from me for all of you, a simple and perhaps not so exciting image as you would expect, still I hope it makes you stop and think despite its simplicity and the presence of man-made elements, like those tyre tracks...remember, lions have to deal with those too. But they don't mind, as long as we remain respectful of their space and freedom...
You might find this too much, too golden, perhaps oversaturated. Well, it is not:) Here I count on my friends Morkel and Andreas to vouch for me, image taken at h 06:05 am, golden hour by Kalahari standards, early morning at Kij Kij during summer months. Captured in February 2015 with a Nikon D4, Nikon 500 mm F4, ISO 640, F5.6, 1/1250s. Full frame, a tiny crop - just for taste. I should wait till tomorrow to have another look and make sure all is ok but I want to share it now, as it is. What do I like about it? That oversized paw, the light, and a big belly that says " I had too much food last night". Other than that, just an ordinary image of a KTP sighting, but they are rare these days - just too many people, and most of them overstep the boundaries and cross the rules of the Park...
Hi Gabriela,
Thanks for sharing this image and your thoughts. The light is indeed golden and the paw, the walking pose and the clean BG all add up well here. Those tyre tracks though not ideal do tell us that we intrude their space and I just hope we stick to the rules of the park and not go overboard.
Lovely image, TFS.
Sanjeev
Hi Gabriela - Before even reading your intro I thought that's a big paw and a full belly. Beautiful golden light. The tire tracks are what they are, we've all seen animals use the road because it is easy and quick. It's a shame that your beloved KTP is becoming so crowded. I wish the cub was slightly angled a bit toward you rather than away but still a nice sense of movement.
This time I wanted those tyre tracks to show, and I will explain why. Sorry I did not do this earlier.
This image was taken near a waterhole in the Kalahari (Kij Kij). Morkel and Andreas know this spot. Not a lot of shade, best place for your vehicle is under two big trees in a designated area that takes three or four vehicles. We usually get there first, take the best spot or join one or two vehicles already there. Early morning it is still cool but when the Sun is up you bake in your own vehicle, so shade is of utmost importance...In the past latecomers accepted the situation and either parked in the sun waiting for someone to move out, or just carried on driving to the next water hole. Nowadays people expect you to move and make space for them, if that does not happen they move the logs/obstacles put in place by authorities and park where it is not allowed.
There are more and more tyre tracks in the river beds in the KTP and the environment just cannot take it. The animals do not like it either, they have certain paths and people interfere with them. Not to mention smaller creatures like squirrels, mongooses, snakes, birds etc. who build their homes underground, no one seems to care about them anymore. To some of us who know the place intimately the dry riverbed is sacred, it is for animals only, and if the predators happen to lie in the shade on a kill far away, then tough luck:), we sit, wait and hope... It's not just about the rules of the Park, it is about respect for the environment and for those who inhabit it. Those tyre tracks you see in my image should not have been there...
Thank you again for viewing and for reading my reply - I believe there are many out there who do enjoy visiting places like the KTP but do not know how to love and protect that which gives them so much joy. Some do not disobey the Park rules with bad intention, they are just too kin to tick those famous predators off their list. I wish I could teach them patience. The Kalahari is not a Lion Park. The longer you wait, the harder you look around, the more hours you spend in sweltering heat, the more special your sightings become and the greater that surprise and wonderment you shall experience.
I guess I have been writing for some time, your reply came in at the same time I posted the above.
I agree, pity the cub is not looking more towards the lens, I might find a better one if I look through my folders, just had the idea with the tyre tracks in my head:)
Is there a prize for the biggest "word count" on BPN, LOL? I think I'll be a good candidate...Just cannot help it:)
Wow, that is one serious paw - don't want to be on the receiving end of a swipe with that!
Beautiful light and the shadow adds a nice element to the shot. Shame about the head angle, but it's far from weak, there is still plenty of eye to be seen.
Always good to read the accompanying prose as well, keep it coming
Thanks so much for viewing and comments, could I ask you to take a look for a moment at Story Sequences Forum - I posted a few frames of this little one and his sibling, this time looking at the camera
Love the lighting and your explanation & story for the tyre tracks here Gabriela,
this sort of behaviour by other vehicles wanting to "list tick" is becoming all too common unfortunately and I share your frustration.
This is the reason I find myself wanting to explore places where traffic/behaviour is minimal, and even this is becoming difficult in a crowded world where everyone wants their piece of the action
Hi Gabriela i enjoyed reading your lovely writing regarding a sad theme around human behavior in KTP ( and not only the KTP ) , u used very wise wording .
Regarding the image i like it ...... well almost as presented , i can confirm the colors are looking very natural to me for a Nikon image ..... LOL .me as Canonian prefer a more reddish yellow . As always a matter taste when it comes to color .
Lovely detail and a nice comp rounding this image up .
For illustration purpose i just treated the yellows with a hue layer in PS
Hi Gabriela, wouldn't change a thing, very 'nice' indeed. love the fact you can seethe raise paw pad, the shadow, and the whole body form. having an uncluttered backdrop adds to the simplicity of the image, but a hard one to pull off. Seems you have mastered the PP side too, great work.
Hi Gabriela -- i must say i prefer Andreas RP here . Quite warm for my liking also the face appears a bit soft compared to the rest of its body . But that raised paws of big cats always works . TFS !