Quest for Leopard

[Harshad Barve]

Dear all

I think I have reasonable number of Tiger images and now my quest is for Leopards.

Certainly not the best in terms of lighting, but the image has some other things going for it. Be it Kanha, Corbett , Serengeti or the Mara, photography of leopards is just too tough, I must say...they just don't give you enough time. I saw 3 leopards in Mara trip, a visual treat for me. Capturing them nicely in the camera was another story... I have been chasing them for a while to get some decent shots.

There's a lot of things that could be better in this image, but considering the rarity of a leopard images on my disks , sharing with you all. I just had no time whatsoever to re-adjust any settings.

My quest for Leopards will continue in the Yala National Park from 8th Nov ;)
D300 , 70-200/F2.8 at f4 , 190mm, ISO 400

All C & C are most welcome
Harshad

[Stu Bowie]

Harshadbhai, I agree, capturing the perfect pose for any wild animal is not always possible in the bush, where ever you are. Coffee table books with all the images are captured with endless hours of time, and just being in the right place at the right time. I do like the pose here, and framed nicely in the fork of the tree. I would like to see this in colour too. :cool:

[Harshad Barve]

Thanks Stuartbhai , here is color version , Not to like is light and sky as BG

[Ken Watkins]

Harshad,

This is not bad for a first sighting, you have of course the usual Leopard problem of misplaced branches;)

I have had a fiddle to try and open up the Leopard

[Steve Kaluski]

Harshad, leopards in trees is a must, but sadly the branch is just too distracting and does not allow to see the whole animal. Backlight is always tricky, however the simple conversion to B/W has IMHO worked better, reducing some of the issues in the colour.

Good luck on your quest, are you going with Kiran?

[Harshad Barve]

are you going with Kiran?

Not this time , I am leading team this time alone

[Rachel Hollander]

Harshad - Although the branch is distracting, the sighting is still an exciting one. I too like the b&w version better. Btw I found the leopards in the Sabi Sands and Timbavati Game Reserves in South Africa much more habituated to vehicles and therefore easier to photograph. You may want to go there on your quest.

Good luck on your upcoming trip. I look forward to seeing the images.

TFS,
Rachel

[Marc Mol]

Shame about the branch Harshad, welcome to the frustrating world of capturing Leopards.;);)
Good luck in your continuing quest in Yala NP

[Harshad Barve]

welcome to the frustrating world of capturing Leopards.;);)

Aussie way of welcome :p , Thank you

[Marina Scarr]

Harshad: If this is only your first try, look at how much you have to look forward to. I like both versions. Can't believe you only used a 70-200 for this. Good luck in future tries.

[Robert Amoruso]

I like the B&W. As discussed the branch at the hind quarters would be better not there but it is what it is. I would prune out some of the BG brush intersecting the chin if you are OK with that.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Bhai I'm glad you got your first African Leopard! I am fine with the visibility of the cat since you got the majority of the body in the clear and like that you went for the conversion here as it packs more punch than the colour version and enhances the rosette pattern.

You should definitely try coming to the Sabi Sands for excellent leopard opps