Captured this Leopard in Kruger Park in 2008. Not the best with no eye contact and branch sticking from its head but I like the setting and will remember it as my best Leopard sighting in Kruger to date.
Canon 40D
Canon 100-400
ISO 800
F5.6
SS 1/332
Aperture Priority
Last edited by Hendri Venter; 07-18-2010 at 02:09 PM.
I really like the alert pose as you can see the leopard is straining to get a view of either prey or predator and therefore, understandably no eye contact with the photographer. It's a great habitat shot with the grasses, rocks and rich colors.
Because the leopard is obviously looking at something, lack of eye contact doesn't worry me over much, however, if he had turned slightly and shown some eye … WOW!! Love the unusual pose and the environment surrounding him is very interesting. Really like this.
Fabulous environment, this is what I would call an "if only shot", a slight movement forward by the Leopard or backward by you would have made it perfect. But let's face it Kruger is generally hard on photographers.
Like the BG space she has for looking into, and a ready to go pose, makes this one special. Would love to capture this, eye contact or not. Nice shot Hendri.
Great environmental image Hendri, this is one case where I personally would have cloned out the branch above the head. Purely a matter of preference.
TFS
I can see this as a painting mate. Those colours in the BG just scream paint me, paint me. Lovely setting, and if only he turned his head ever so slightly.
getting a clear leopard shot such as this in Kruger is an achievement in itself Hendri - no eye contact but the vivid autumn colours really makes this pop!