Armed and Dangerous

[Stu Bowie]

Going back to one of the camps in the Kruger Park, with around 10 minutes before the gates closed, I couldnt resist stopping off at Sunset Dam which is about 500m from the camp to capture a few images of these powerful beasts as they basked out the water on the edge of the road. The sun had already set behind the trees, so I didnt have much light to play with. Shooting from my car, I managed some portrait shots as this large fellow didnt seem to have a worry in the world. One realises you dont stand a chance anywhere close to these guys.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8
1/400
F/5.0
ISO 3200

Exp comp +0.33

Hand Held from the car

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - Glad to see you were in the car because I would not want to be too close to one of these big crocs. Love the low pov and the comp is perfect. Those teeth look huge. There's a slight magenta cast to the croc and the soil. I realize this was close to sunset so it might be natural. Always nice to have you posting in Wildlife.

TFS,
Rachel

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Hi Stu. This is a powerful portrait of this huge croc. Lobe the angle you got and the eye contact. As Rachel said the teeth indeed look huge. Nicely done.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Beautiful last light on this croc and some very nice detail, dear Stu!

Whew, looks good for 1/400s, but then I guess this chap was dead still:) Nice DoF to isolate the subject from BG, image well composed, sharpness is there in good measure. Indeed, lovely work my friend. Thank you so much for contributing with a Theme image, really appreciated

Warmest regards,

[Stuart Philpott]

Gorgeous frame Stu, the light is just wonderful,such incredible power in these titans,I think you have really captured that in this portrait.I like the pov and echo comments about those teeth...
cheers for sharing this Stu

erm me

[keith mitchell]

Stu don't know about just staying in the car I would also keep the windows up tight,you have some great detail and even though the eye is small it still as charictor .

Keith.

[haseeb badar]

HI Stu -- Great to see you posting here and that too a fantastic portrait of a croc . Loved that low POV , makes that image for me . Would have loved some more cleaner BKG but not a deal breaker .

TFS !