Backlit Steenbok

[Morkel Erasmus]

This image was created in the Kruger National Park in South Africa in July 2009. This small antelope is called a 'steenbok' and directly translates to 'stone buck'. We saw quite a lot of them on our trip but this one was caught in the last light of day from behind and was quite close to our car. The males have short spiky horns whilst females have none at all. These animals also mate for life, never taking another mate if one of them should perish.

Your C&C most welcome...

Techs:
Canon 1000D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 275mm
f7.1 @ 1/125 SS @ ISO-400

[Ken Watkins]

When I saw the title I just had to look, Steenboks are such beautiful animals. This is a great shot, but I think the twig in front of the nose is just a little too off putting. You could possibly get rid of it with very careful cloning or QM techniques I would certainly try if it were mine!

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Ken! will give cloning it out a whirr - she was comtemplating taking a bite off the twig so I left it in the scene cause it was part of her interaction captured.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Morkel,
Very nice bit of rim light.....but I will go in another direction.....I like the twig action....does look like whe was going to bite it when she caught a glimpse of you!.....I may try blending/patching some of the taller twigs behind her.....but either way this is nicely composed.

[Harshad Barve]

Nice compo here Morkel, That twig adds much for me
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Roman & Harshad...

Roman - I know how to patch clone, but am not yet very familiar with blending? could you please assist? :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Peter, your suggestion has worked well!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Morkel I love this image and the excellent detail and pose. As mentioned the only thing that would make this image stronger for me would be the absence of the twig but not always possible !! Many thanks for sharing this beautiful animal with us.

[Steve Canuel]

Cute animal and thanks for the info. I think with this head angle the twig should stay as she does seem to be sizing it up for a meal. I'm seeing a bit of a blue cast in the whites.

[Chris Kotze]

Cool image Morkel well captured, great colours and sharpness. The repost by Peter looks super.

[David Thomasson]

I like the twig as well, and love that suspicious glance the animal is giving you. I would mask out the subject and brighten it (and also warm the colors a bit) to pull it away from the background. Might have overdone it a little here, but just to give you an idea ... Very nice capture.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks David! looks great (wouldn't see if you overdid it on my laptop monitor, will have to wait till I get home).

[DanWalters]

Very elegant image! Love the rim lighting and the detail in the deer. I agree about keeping the twig.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks Dan!

[David Fletcher]

Good shot Morkel. At first I thought it was scent gland behavior, but they do that by glands between the hooves and urination/defacation to do that, so I am talking crap.... :) Like Peter's repost.