Spotted Hyena at Ngorongoro

[Claude Ostfeld]

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is also known as laughing hyena because of its distinctive "whoop" like vocalization.

Hyenas live in clans lead by a matriach. They are loving parents. Hyenas are often accused of being mere scavengers while I have seen a group of them hunt a gnu and try unsuccessfully to bring down a buffalo. Being opportunists their meals are often stolen from other predators such as cheetahs or jackals while they usually steer clear of lions unless they have the advantage of numbers..

Ngorongoro Crater. Nikon F100, Velvia 50, 80-200 IF-ED F2.8D AF-S - Coolpix 5000 scanner.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Claude, alway enjoy reading your intros, thanks. :)

I like the pose and that enquiring head stretch, analysis all those smells it can sense. Obviously it was taken a a little while ago based on the film and you had to scan the transparency, I assume, so...

Firstly I find it a little tight in the frame. Slightly less room on the rhs and more to the left and below, enough for the hyena to walk into, is this full frame (FF)? You could try to lift a little on the lhs of the face just to help the shadows and run some more sharpening over the hyena only, as it not that sharp, although there is movement in the raise paw at the front, so... You might also, if inclined, want to drop the red channel slightly, obviously a characteristic from Velvia which I love because of it's vibrancy and strong, bold colours.

Just some thoughts Claude.:)

TFS
Steve

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Claude, I like the alert expression, with focused eyes and perked up ears. Also liked the repetition of both legs crossed. Looks very soft on this monitor, but a nice picture of a spotted hyena for sure. As a field guide it remains very difficult for me to get people excited about spotted hyenas when we see them, even though I try quite hard. Many folk are prejudiced toward them, guess Walt Disney needs to make some amends after the "Lion King"
TFS
Grant

[Harshad Barve]

lovely pose and expressions here , Great advise above
TFS