Leopard in its favourite spot
Okavango Delta Botswana
Okavango Delta Botswana
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Dec, 2016Views
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Awards
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 21
People's Choice in wildanimals Photo Challenge
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Peer Award
All Star
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. This is one of the largest inland Deltas in the world covering some 15000 square kilometers. It is fed by the Kavango river that flows southward from Angola and floods the northern Kalahari Desert. We had 8 people in 2 vehicles in Moremi Game Reserve when we were confronted by a broken wooden bridge crossing a short stretch of water. I saw tyre tracks heading into the water next to the bridge so got out of my vehicle to have a closer look to see if it would be safe to cross. I had not noticed my overseas visitors from the UK and US had then decided it must be safe to get out and had all followed me. A vehicle then approached from the other side of the water and the driver shouted that we were kind of stupid and told us about the Leopard in the tree about 200 metres away on his side of the water. He also told us how we could get around the water and back to the tree.Time
This photo was taken at 13:16 so the sun was reasonable high and pictures would depend on how much light was getting through the top of the tree. We sat with this leopard for about 2 hours so the light varied as I took more shots.Lighting
Sure! You are in the hands of the Gods and there is damn little you can do about it. It was luckily a sunny day and light was filtering through the tree top. There is pretty much nothing you can do about your positioning relative to the animal or foliage that may get in your way or or attract your focus spots. All you can control is your camera settings and get them right based on natural conditions. You could try to talk to the leopard nicely and get him to show of a bit but good luck with that.Equipment
Camera was a Canon 7D and lense a Canon EF 100-400. This picture was taken at 300mm, ISO 160, F5.6, 1/400s.Inspiration
The animal silly. My inspiration is in the poem I wrote: Earth... There are few places left where one can be Where peace comes with ease and feeling free Where the heat of the sun rises from the earth Where there is natural rhythm of death and birth We're so privileged to be visitors there But uninvited and need to take care Of all that surrounds us that gives us trust Of being, just being...from dawn till dusk. Night falls gently with enveloping black The light from the fire says all is on track There's a sense of peace, of quiet, no strife But cacophony too, night creatures show life Above that chatter perhaps you will hear The grunt of the lion far away yet so clear And it's in that moment that you know why You'll come back to these stars in this wide open sky.Editing
Yes. Just a few tweaks with saturation, contrast, cast and light.In my camera bag
The equipment described above plus a Canon 15-85mm. Clearly spare batteries, memory cards and car charger.Feedback
I guess the only way is to be out there for as long as possible and have patience. For non self drive safaris you will have an expert ranger who will know where the sightings have been but what you see is timing and luck and the position and activity of the animal and the light adds even more timing and luck.
