Bushveld Elephant Shrew

[Pieter de Waal]

The Bushveld Elephant Shrew one of the "small five" found in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Together with around 16 species of rodents they form a very important link in the food chain in this semi desert area.

Not easy to get a clear shot as they are generally in amongst the shrubs and are quick movers. This little guy paused briefly in an opening, still had to remove a few intruding twigs in PP.

50D/EF500f4+1.4 1/200@f5.6 iso400 EC+.67 Cropped for comp and added canvas on the right.

C&C allways welcome.

[Ian Cassell]

What a nice image of a cool looking beast, Pieter! The absence of the end of his tail doesn't bother me too much as he is nicely placed in his natural habitat. Exposure is good and you managed to get a nice catchlight. I might consider a slightly tighter crop to minimize some of the OOF debris on the edges.

[Rachel Hollander]

Pieter - nice sharpness and detail. Well done shooting through the brush. I haven't seen one of these before either posted or while on safari. If it were mine I might take a little off the top.

TFS,
Rachel

[Ignacio Yufera]

I don't mind the OOF debris - it helps framing the animal, which is almost never found in the open.
Very nice sharpness and catchlight, despite being in the shade. Really cool shot.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

What a frame !! Love it as is . shows the habitat and the focus on the little cute one is perfect !!

[Robert Amoruso]

Pieter,

Well done given the obstacles of dappled light and tight framing through the brush.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Pieter, I think you have done extremely well considering the location of the shot and with such a timid creature. You could try a slightly tighter crop and remove the OOF bits on the LHS which isn't to difficult, but you may find that there isn't enough space around the subject for it to breath? Nice detail and focus is spot on, on the eye.

Well done.

TFS
Steve

[Pieter de Waal]

Thank you all for looking and for your feedback, much appreciated. I will experiment with removing some of the OOF bits for a tighter crop.

[Hilary Hann]

Pieter, really like the detail in this image, and the colours and tones have been reproduced very nicely. It is quite a delicate portrait of an interesting little creature. Personally I like the framing provided by the oof vegetation. A tight crop may reduce the environmental interest in the image. Well done.

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks Hilary I appreciate your feedback. I tried a tighter crop but also still like the oof vegetation as it is how I remember taking the shot.