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Thread: Fossa portrait

  1. #1
    Vincent Grafhorst
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    Default Fossa portrait

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    It's not a dog, it's not a cat, it's a fossa!

    Those of you who have seen the animated movie titled 'Madagascar' certainly know of this animal, the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox). The fossa is an endangered species and is endemic to Madagascar. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. In Kirindy forest reserve in western Madagascar, these fossas live wild & free. Though they are not easily seen in the wild, they regularly visit the rubbish dump in the camp and some individuals are quite approachable, though they can be very aggressive. (I had them going for my lens...) It was not easy to make good photos of them though since they hardly sit still and because of shooting in the shade of the thick forest.

    For more info on the fossa check:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossa_(animal)


    Camera Model Canon EOS 40D
    Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
    Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/250
    Av( Aperture Value ) 5.6
    Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
    Exposure Compensation -2/3
    ISO Speed 800
    Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
    Focal Length 190.0 mm
    Image Size 3888x2592
    Image Quality RAW
    Flash On
    Flash Type External E-TTL
    Flash Exposure Compensation -1/3
    Shutter curtain sync 1st-curtain sync
    White Balance Mode Color Temperature(5200K)
    AF Mode AI Servo AF

    Vincent Grafhorst
    http://www.khwaiphotography.com

  2. #2
    Ken Watkins
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    This must be a first, this is great not just for the rarity of the animal.

  3. #3
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    beautiful image. Very sharply focused and what a superb catch.
    Well done.

    Sharna

  4. #4
    Alfred Forns
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    This is one awesome image Vincent !!!! Love the sharpness and complementing colors !!! This is a winner !!!

  5. #5
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hi Vincent,
    Agree with the others above. Those eyes sure do look mean!

  6. #6
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    Super image with great sharpness and good eye contact. I like the small slits of pupils - it must have been bright!

  7. #7
    Todd Frost
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    Love the clarity of this image. Amazing eyes. Nice image.
    Todd

  8. #8
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    I guess it was pretty close to you. The sharpness is superb. Nice colours. Great image.

  9. #9
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Yes to sharp and yes to one vicious-looking animal. Was this one photographed near the dump?
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  10. #10
    Vincent Grafhorst
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    Yes, Artie, this was photographed not far from the 'dump'. Btw with rubbish dump I mean just a small place under the trees, behind the kitchen where the local staff throw their rubbish, amongst which a lot of chicken skin and bones! I did follow some individuals into the bush, but quickly lost track... Apart from the ones we saw at the dump we only saw one fossa crossing a dirt road outside the reserve. Their numbers are unfortunately dangerously low and the local villagers hunt them in retaliation for killing their chickens and other animals.

  11. #11
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Thanks for the info Vincent. I have photographed at a few similar dumps in Kenya.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

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  12. #12
    Cheryl Ertelt
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    Excellent portrait. thanks for the info on the species as well.

  13. #13
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    Hi Vincent:

    I want to chime in, I love this image as well. I'm leaving for Madagascar in a few weeks but will not be in the West and will most likely not see the Fossa in the South. So, it is great to see your wonderful image here.

    Steve

  14. #14
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    A wonderfull image of a rearely seen speiceis.. Love it....

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