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Black-backed Jackal

Portrait of a black-backed jackal

Portrait of a black-backed jackal
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Dec, 2015

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Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photograph in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is in the Kalahari Desert straddling the boundary between South Africa and Botswana

Time

It was taken at midday

Lighting

Exposure compensation +1/3. The natural light of the desert in Kgalagadi is one of the reasons that this place is so highly regarded by and popular with wildlife photographers

Equipment

Canon EOS 7D with Sigma 150-500 zoom lens zoomed to focal length 500mm, hand held, no flash

Inspiration

At midday in the desert it gets very hot, even in winter. This black-backed jackal was lying in some shade close to the side of the road and when we stopped nearby it stood up and walked beside our car. I loved the close-up of its beautiful face with my lens fully zoomed in. Jackals are loathed by sheep farmers in South Africa and, with the perception that they are scavengers, they are not the most popular animals in the wild, but I think they are very attractive animals and I find them interesting to observe

Editing

I use Lightroom to make minor adjustments to improve my images, but I do not use Photoshop.

In my camera bag

When I took this in 2014, I had a Canon EOS 7D and a Canon EOS 300D, with a Canon 18-135mm lens, a Sigma 150-500mm zoom lens and a Canon 70-300mm zoom lens. I have subsequently acquired a Canon 5D Mark III and a Canon 100-400mm lens I have some Polarising filters, a monopod and a tripod and a beanbag

Feedback

As with any wildlife photography, you have to go to the game reserves, which are usually in fairly remote locations, you need to have some long lenses and you need plenty of patience. It is also very helpful to have very sharp eyes, or a companion with sharp eyes (my wife has VERY sharp eyes) and some understanding of wild animal behaviour, because wild animals are generally well camouflaged and don't walk up to you and ask to be photographed. However, if you are patient you will get lucky at times and see amazing activity. If you get up very early in the mornings and go out late in the afternoons you will get lucky more often.

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Black-backed Jackal

Portrait of a black-backed jackal

Behind The Lens

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