First Roar of the Morning - Better Than Coffee
Kitambi - 2009-2018. He is missed by many, remembered by all. I photographed him very early on a cold November morning and caught his breath in mid-air....
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Kitambi - 2009-2018. He is missed by many, remembered by all. I photographed him very early on a cold November morning and caught his breath in mid-air.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture f/2.8 ISO 125 Shutter 1/200 Focal Length 200/1 
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Jan, 2019Views
1660
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in VISIBILITY OF AIR Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Genius
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
All Star
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
PRO+
PRO+
Steve-n-Ning
March 07, 2020
Thank you. We got to the zoo very early on a chill November morning. I was fortunate to catch the lion right after they let him out of his enclosure, and he was doing his morning 'chuffing'. There is another photo of him head-on with his breath visible elsewhere in my gallery.
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Steve-n-Ning
April 11, 2020
Thank you. We got to the zoo very early on a chill November morning. I was fortunate to catch the lion right after they let him out of his enclosure. He was doing his morning 'chuffing', and I caught his breath hanging in the air.
Platinum
PRO+
Steve-n-Ning
May 14, 2020
Thank you. Normally, I don't do early morning very well, but I was glad I got up early that day.
Platinum
PRO+
Steve-n-Ning
September 23, 2020
Thank you. I was fortunate to catch him early on a cold November morning and captured his breath as he did his morning chuffs.
Platinum
PRO+
Platinum
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Steve-n-Ning
August 08, 2021
Thank you. It is rare to see breath in the dry Phoenix climate. This shot on a cold early November morning made getting up early worthwhile.
Ultimate
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Steve-n-Ning
February 13, 2023
Thank you. I was waiting for Kitambe to be released from his indoor enclosure shortly after sunrise on a cold November morning. When he first comes out, he 'calls out' very loudly and the cold morning made his breath visible. It was quite a thrill.
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the Phoenix Zoo.Time
This photo was taken early morning on a rare chilly morning in Phoenix.Lighting
Natural lighting was used. The sun had just arisen, so the golden glow and the lion's breath were both in play.Equipment
This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mk IV and a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II lens. The camera was hand-held. The eagle was a fair distance away, so the focal length was 135mm. The ISO was 125 at f/2.8 and 1/125th second.Inspiration
Chilly and damp mornings are rare in Phoenix. We had gone to the zoo while the sun was coming up. The early morning light combined with the chilly temperature and moisture in the air gave an almost ethereal glow to the atmosphere. The lion had just been released from its enclosure for the day and was making its early morning chuffing sounds.Editing
Editing (cropping, highlights, shadows) was done in Adobe Lightroom.In my camera bag
My Canon EOS 5D Mark IV always has my Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens mounted on it. That is my go-to lens for the majority of my photos. For this shot, I used a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L II USM lens. I also carry several other lenses: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM, Canon EF 24-105 f/4L IS USM and a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. I have one non-Canon lens: a Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. I try to shoot with natural light all the time, but on those occasions where I need an external light source, I use either a Neewer CN-216 LED panel or a Canon Speedlite 580EX. I have tripods by Slik, 3Pod and Manfrotto. I have a Canon EOS 7D, a Canon EOS 30D and a Canon EOS 10D, all of which I still have and use as appropriate.Feedback
Timing is everything.
