Big Boy relaxing.

[Marc Mol]

Some of you would have already seen Big Boy from some previous submissions, he is the resident large male Leopard from the Mapula Lodge area in the Moremi GR- Botswana.
Try as we did, this was the best angle we could get where the curved branch was least intrusive, as much as I would have loved to have an open shot, especially in this lovely soft late afternoon light.
Tried to clone out this branch, but found it very difficult rebuilding those spot's/rosettes. Sometimes you just have to make do with what is presented.
Inspired by Steve K's recent Leopard/tree posting, thanks Steve.;)

D3 500VR 1/125s ISO400@f/5.6 monopod from vehicle.

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[Todd Frost]

Fantastic light and pose here. Agree with you, you take what is given and be happy sometimes. The branch does not bother me as this is there domain. Very well done. TFS
Todd

[peter delaney]

always great to shoot a leopard , they just love to tease us photographers by picking the branch with the most intrusive twigs etc. some people might be able to train a''WILD WOLF'' to jump gates,:) but try get a leopard to choose a picturesque tree and BG ...

[Steve Kaluski]

some people might be able to train a''WILD WOLF'' to jump gates

Ouch Peter, very topical.;)

Gentle light, Marc on this one. Agree that sometimes you have to 'take what you can get' but for me, I do find the branch rather distracting sadly. Might be worth cropping a bit more off the rhs as I feel there's just a tad too much space IMHO. Guess the Big cats are always great to see, at anytime or anywhere.;)

Steve

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Well said Peter!

I like the light and the eye contact. Can't help with the branch. It is in focus, so doesn't distract so much. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marc, just love the warm colour of the leopard due to the late afternoon light. Yep, lazy pose, and it looks like you got the best angle. Moving to your left would have lost most of the body. Love the dangling legs too.

[Vida van der Walt]

Great shot Marc and I love the relaxed pose and golden light. The branch is not a big issue to me.:)

[Peter Buntman]

Nice looking male and quite big, awesome light and pose. Its natural so branch not a prob for me. Nice one

[Kiran Khanzode]

The golden lighting, the full belly and the look away from the camera makes me like this image. Nicely done!