Lookout...

[Steve Kaluski]

This young Leopard was on the lookout, spotting some Impala in the distance, so I was hoping we may get a nice dismount, but sadly not, hence the SS.

Thanks to those who posted or viewed on the last posting.

Steve

Subject: Leopard (Panthera pardus) in tree, looking out
Location: SA
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 70-200f/2.8 MKII HH
Exposure: 1/3200s at f/2.8 ISO800
Original format: Portrait, very slight crop from the top
Processed via: LRCC Classic & PSCC2019

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Steve,

Truly a special sighting and I take it you were fairly close. I like the way the leopard is "nested" between those thick branches and the POV works well here. Nice composition. Well exposed too, and good thinking on SS ( seems he was about to take off in pursuit of prey, I wonder what made him change his mind...were the bokkies too far?)

Colours look natural and detail is great, as expected I am a bit jealous, only saw one leopard in the KTP this time... A youngster eating a springbok kill under a tree but the road was crammed with vehicles and I wasn't going to fight for a spot. I did find a few ( much smaller ) felines, which I am going to show you at some stage

Hope you have a wonderful week-end, and many thanks for sharing - always a pleasure to view your images.

Warmest regards,

[John Mack]

Really like that alert pose. The position in the tree is nice as well. Everything looks pretty in focus for this being shot wide open.

[Basil Dardagan]

Really like the pose, expression and 'perch' (if i may ). However its handling this seriously tricky exposure so expertly that i feel portrays the capabilities of the photographer !!

[Chris van Rooyen]

I like the intense concentration of the leopard, give the image a nice "presence". You handled the exposure challenges well!

[haseeb badar]

Hi Steve -- This is a beautiful frame. I like Leopards on those kind if trees. You have handled the lighting very nicely , sometime the sky in such situations becomes distracting and also affects the exposure but i don't see any issues with this image. Nice colours and details as well. very nicely done.

TFS !

[Jonathan Ashton]

The greatest issue you had to resolve was i think the exposure, I am sure there were really bright and comparatively dark elements to contend with, and you did - very well indeed. The leopard pops beautifully against the tree and the colours and details look absolutely beautiful.