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Thread: Pangolin

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Default Pangolin

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    I just returned from a 3 week trip to South Africa and Zambia. I was fortunate to have 3 separate pangolin sightings including one in the Timbavati Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger Area and two at Tswalu in the Kalahari. This was from the last one at Tswalu. We waited a bit for it to become mobile and move out from under a bush. It was nice to capture it on foot in the golden hour and on the red sands of the Kalahari.

    Canon 5D3
    100-400 II @ 371mm
    1/1000
    f5.6
    ISO 800
    HH while kneeling, ff, levels, curves, TK luminosity mask, color adjustments, selective burning, sharpened in CCPS.

    C&C welcome and appreciated. Thanks,
    Rachel

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel, I thought you might kick off with one of these, I really don't like it .

    Great encounter and the light being on your side was a great bonus too, very envious although I know what is to come later... Good to have the head clear of the vegetation, but any more frames further on where that blade of grass is not overlying that front leg, just being picky? Techs look good, but still think you could have squeaked to 1/1600 with very little effect on the ISO.

    Very pleased for you in getting this and subsequent images.

    TFS
    Steve

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    Welcome back Rachel! What a starter! I am glad you had a good trip. I like the clear vier of the animal and the lovely light. Good to see those large scales and the tiny head! TFS. Look forward to more.

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    Wow Rachel...So lucky to see 3. I have only ever seen 1. I believe they are a lt more common in the Kalahari(Tswalu) Amazing IQ and the textures are amazing.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Steve, Sanjeev and Dumay. Yes, Dumay, they are more frequently seen at Tswalu in the winter months. Steve, it was difficult to get images of it clear of all grasses. Here, I was happy with the face clear. If I lay down there was more grass in the way. I found sitting or kneeling gave me a cleaner view most of the time.

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    Hi Rachel -- What a subject to start with , we all missed you during these weeks . I liked the light and the head on view of this amazing creature . Nice details as usual and colours look very nice . I too find that FG a bit distracting but you have done very well considering the settings you must have encountered . And you are on my top list of people who produces such marvellous results with the 100-400mm .

    TFS !

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    Haseeb, the new 100-400 II is truly a gem of a lens. For the money & in that bracket it is the BEST.

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    Yes Sanjeev , I totally agree with that and also your images reflect that quality aspect of 100-400 mm and you are also utilising it very nicely .

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    Hi Rachel,first view had me thinking a giant fir cone,agree with the above comments especially the comment on detail and quality ,would love to see this animal in the wild.

    Keith.

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    such a cool sighting and shot, Rachel - never even seen one myself...
    lovely textures and light and of course low angle
    do you have any frames without the OOF grass in front? not a big issue for me, but just wondering anycase

    PS: how did you enjoy the Kalahari as a different destination? Tswalu and Kgalagadi do still have differences, but they are similar in many respects
    Morkel Erasmus

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Haseeb, Keith and Morkel. Morkel - see above discussion about the grasses. I liked the Kalahari as a destination. Good variety of wildlife and a different ecosystem though it reminded me a bit of Namibia (without the elephants).

    Thanks again,
    Rachel

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    You were truly blessed with this wonderful sighting here Rachel and in such favouable light as well!
    I have never ventured to areas where one has a chance of this special sighting, but in all my 34 years of travelling to Africa all I have to show is pangolin spoor , so to say I'm a tad envious is not an under statement.

    No crits from me, shutter speed is more than ample, love everything about this frame, wonderful!!

    Will await your other sightings for sure!

    Let's hope the demand for their scales starts to ease.

    TFS
    Last edited by Marc Mol; 09-02-2016 at 07:55 AM. Reason: corrected spelling


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    Wonderful capture. Although the OOF grass is a bit of a distraction it is part and parcel of finding animals in the wild.

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Thanks Marc and John, much appreciated.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Rachel, excellent detail on the scales, and that light was to die for. Well done for capturing the head clear of the grasses, and love the slightly raised left foot. And you saw three - now thats just bragging.

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