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Thread: Inquisitive Leopard

  1. #1
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Default Inquisitive Leopard

    Our guide was in the process of tracking this male Leopard, when we were alerted to it's present position by a Black-backed Jackal's alarm call.
    Unusual for most male Leopards, this 3 year old was so inquisitive that he was about to climb into our safari vehicle were it not for our guide to
    thump his hand on the side panel to scare it from doing so, the most daring and confident Leopard I have ever seen! A very enthralling moment.
    Managing to capture this one in some nice side lighting.
    Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve- Botswana Sept '09.
    D3 500VR 1/1000s ISO400@f/4

    C & C most welcome

    Cheers
    Marc

    Last edited by Marc Mol; 12-19-2009 at 06:47 PM.


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    Marc , I must say I am jealous of you ;):D

    This is such a beautiful image , loved the look, compo , lighting and BG here ,
    TFS

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Marc, I might be tempted for a slightly tighter crop on this one? Still a good looking Leopard.

    BTW have you used selective sharpening, just curious?;)

    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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    Nice looking leopard. I won't mind a small crop from the bottom. I like the direct eye contact. I agree that it is unusual for a leopard to climb onto your vehicle. Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Sabyasachi

  5. #5
    Alfred Forns
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    Agree on tighter corp but what a face !!! Nailed a great look !! Big Congrats !!!

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    Fabulous shot Marc. Like your presentation and am happy to leave crop as is. What a brilliant experience.

  7. #7
    Judy Lynn Malloch
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    This is outstanding Marc. Wonderful intense look and excellent detail. Another vote for a tighter crop. Love this one Marc and thanks for sharing.

  8. #8
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Appreciate the comments everyone.

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Kaluski View Post
    Hi Marc, I might be tempted for a slightly tighter crop on this one? Still a good looking Leopard.

    BTW have you used selective sharpening, just curious?;)

    Steve
    Yes Steve, I always try and use selective sharpening if possible, in this case it was just on the face.


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    I would like it cropped from the bottom as well. The scar on the nose shows you were lucky he didn't get into your vehicle. He is not afraid to fight!

  10. #10
    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ed Cordes View Post
    The scar on the nose shows you were lucky he didn't get into your vehicle. He is not afraid to fight!
    My thoughts as well, Ed!
    He actually stuck his head inside the vehicle first, just prior to his attempt to jump in!:eek:


  11. #11
    BPN Viewer Steve Canuel's Avatar
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    Beautiful portrait of a beautiful animal. Nice complimetary BG and I like the sunlit grasses across the shoulder. It might just be an optical illusion but the eye on the sunlit side appears darker than the one on the shaded side. It would've been an interesting photo to see you riding around in a safari vehicle with that guy in your lap.

  12. #12
    Danny J Brown
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    Hi Marc - I truly love this image. I know we've seen it before but the scars on its nose tell stories of the past. Well done.

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    very strange behaviour from a leopard especially a 3 yr old , I wonder if previous visitors have been feeding him.. not normal behaviour and could be problematic in future .. a pity ..

    lovely image , love the BG colours... like crop as is

    peter

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    Lifetime Member Marc Mol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by peter delaney View Post
    very strange behaviour from a leopard especially a 3 yr old , I wonder if previous visitors have been feeding him.. not normal behaviour and could be problematic in future .. a pity ..

    lovely image , love the BG colours... like crop as is

    peter
    Thanks Peter

    Agree that this is very unusual behaviour, he was in an area where there is only one lodge, Deception Valley Lodge and Adriaan the resident guide there assured us that this was the first time he had encountered such boldness with this male.
    And the very reason he would never let it even attempt to jump into the vehicle and why he scared it by pounding on the side vehicle panel loudly.
    It was really the opposite of what you would think, it's habitat was in an area where he encountered very few vehicles and so it wasn't a case of getting used to them and people being around.
    Unlike certain areas of the Sabie.


  15. #15
    DanWalters
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    Really like the lighting and the details. The eyes really pop out as well.

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