Cornered Leopard

[Morkel Erasmus]

This leopard was pinned down in a tree next to the road in the Kruger National Park. There were about 4 spotted hyenas waiting for her to make a mistake and drop the remains of her kill on the ground - which eventually did happen - and the hyena's got into a scrap for the meat (see http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=42377)

The conditions weren't the best - whereas EVERY other morning in Kruger we had clear, sweet light, on THIS morning nature played a trick and the horizon was overcast as the sun rose. This sighting happened 600 meters from our camp as we left at about 06h30 for an early drive. I had to test my entry-level DSLR to the max with this. I dropped down to ISO 1600 and upped exposure compensation to +0.7 to minimise noise, and also stopped down aperture to f5.6

This shot was taken from the best angle we could get of the leopard since there was another vehicle in the spot perpendicular to the cat's position. It was also shot into the glowing, slightly overcast sky as the sun rose almost behind the leopard.

Your C&C most welcome...

Techs:
Canon 1000D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 340mm
f5.6 @ 1/125 SS @ ISO 1600
Exp +0.7
adjusted white balance to cloudy in PP

[Harshad Barve]

I am loving expression on face of leopard
TFS

[Fabs Forns]

It doesn't look like a happy camper. Thanks for sharing, Morkel.

[Rich Ikerd]

The leopard's expression is perfect here, especially with your story as the background. I think you've done extremely well with the exposure and post-processing to get this in the less than ideal shooting conditions.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for commenting Fabs, Harshad & Rich!

[Ed Cordes]

The leopard looks as if he/she thinks yo will steal its meal. I like the environmental feel with the branch and leaf in front of its face. I wonder if a shadow/highlight adjustment would recover some sky detail?

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Ed. tried that - didn't work :)

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Morkel,
Everyone tried to get the leopard in the tree shot.....I have seen very few where the sky wasn't exactly like yours. One of the most difficult to get "clean" and nice BG sky. Must have been a thrill!

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Roman - was an adrenaline-filled sighting!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Bro this is great. You did a fine job handling the situation. I think. Thanks for sharing. I am jealous, these are my favorite cats.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Morkel,
Not many people get to experience such moments. Is the kill hidden by the leaves?

The morale of the story is Just sit tight. Small mistake and the kill is gone.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Akos & Sabyasachi!

Sabya - yeah the carcass hangs behind the leaves just off-centre to the right. I've got another pose where you can see the meat more clearly - and of course the meat can be seen when the hyenas fight for it! :)

[John Ippolito]

Nice capture, Morkel. I love those green leopard eyes! thanks for sharing the great story behind it. I remember well the scrap for the spoils image also. Nice to see what precipitated the scrap.

[Mitchell Krog]

Nice catch Morkel, shows the leopards uneasiness nicely.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks a lot Mitch & John! :)