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Thread: Cape Mountain Zebra

  1. #1
    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    Default Cape Mountain Zebra

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    This is the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra. This image was taken in the Mountain Zebra National Park in South Africa - somewhat of a success story in bringing these equine beauties back from the brink of extinction.

    All comments most welcome...

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    Landscapes Moderator Andrew McLachlan's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel,

    A nice animate landscape! Well done.

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    Well composed and executed Morkel. Nice pose with great eye contact. Well done.

  4. #4
    Ken Watkins
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    Morkel,

    Judging by the shape of this one a further boost to the rapidly expanding population seems probable, even more remarkably they were saved by farmers.

    For me there needs to be a little more separation between the subject and BG.

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    Hi Morkel, nice animal in mountain habitat...well done. All looks good to me, composition, sharpness and colour. If I could wish for anything more, a swishing tail would make it even stronger.
    This shot is making me want to get back to that park, it has been more than 10 years since i was last there
    cheers
    Grant

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Morkel, agree with Ken, the Zebra just seems lost within the overall habit, much prefer the previous image.

    TFS
    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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    Hi Morkel
    really dosent work for me, vertical composition does not work, Zebra is lost in image, nothing to hold viewers eye, BKG and sky overpowers subject, sorry ... for me it works well as record shot only...

  8. #8
    Ken Watkins
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    Grant,

    It is a beautiful park, and there are lots of new roads. Two years ago 4 Cheetahs were re-introduced there were 8 cubs when we last visited in December 2009, you need to be lucky to see them though:D

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks for the honest feedback guys...different strokes for different folks I think - I like it as it shows the animal in its typical environment and if every shot ever taken of a zebra had a smooth clean BG then wouldn't it all be the same? ;)
    I do think that increasing local contrast on the zebra alone would make it "pop out" more for certain people's tastes...

    Grant there are now 28 cheetahs in the park, although we didn't get to see one. Got some good endangered black pachyderm sightings if you know what I mean :).
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    Hi Morkel, and thanks for the feedback on the park Ken. When I was last there the park authorities were busy introducing the pachys. Sounds as if the cheetahs are thriving which is good news. Am aiming to get to several SA parks in 2011 and 2012 that I have been neglecting. So many pictures to take...not enough days :)
    Morkel did you get my email re your website kingfisher shot?
    cheers
    Grant

  11. #11
    Ken Watkins
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    Quote Originally Posted by Morkel Erasmus View Post

    Grant there are now 28 cheetahs in the park, although we didn't get to see one. Got some good endangered black pachyderm sightings if you know what I mean :).
    Now that is what I call remarkable news:D

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    BPN Member Morkel Erasmus's Avatar
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    thanks Grant I got your message, will reply sometime today :)

    Ken - don't be fooled, they are very elusive. We crisscrossed the park a few times over a period of 2 days but had no luck with sightings, but the sightings book at reception bears testimony that they do show themselves regularly in certain areas, there are many new cubs now as well.
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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Morkel - I like the comp and it looks like there was difficult light, the shadow on the rhs makes it tough. Thanks to you, Ken and Grant for an interesting discussion of a park I had not heard much about before. I took a look at the Sanspark site and it says that caracal is the most prevalent predator there. Any luck with sightings of caracal?

    TFS,
    Rachel

  14. #14
    Ken Watkins
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    Rachel,

    Caracal is nearly always the most prevalent predator, there are lots where I live, seeing them is an entirely different matter I have had 3 Caracal sightings in over 400 days on safari, and only one gave me a real photographic chance. But if you do not look you will not find.:D

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    Lifetime Member Rachel Hollander's Avatar
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    Ken - Interesting. I knew the Caracal is very elusive to see and photograph (kind of like the Pangolin) but had no idea that it is often the most prevalent predator. Thanks for the info.

    Rachel

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