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Photo Information
Copyright: Nico van Gijsen (Nico) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 199 W: 1 N: 335] (1321)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-30
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 170 - 500 APO
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-06-25 9:12
Viewed: 6300
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
It is said that in the African Bush the night belongs to the tooth and the claw. Look closely at the rump of this Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) (Afrikaans: Rooihartebees) and you will realize how thin the line is between life and death in the bush. These scratch marks are the result of lion claws in the recent past, making this on very lucky hartebeest.
During the day they spend much of the time with their backs to the wind, using smell to warn them of danger from behind and sight to see what is coming from the front. At night things are different and the tables are turned in favour of the lions as they can see, for instance, in light that is an 8th of what the human eye can see. The prey is ussually freightened into running and is then attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and killed either by a strangling it or smothering it.
This one managed to live through such a night and I tohought I'd share it with TN members. Hope you enjoy.
The male Red Hartebeest (you also get Lichtenstein's Hartebeest which occurs mainly in a small part of Eastern Africa) stands approx. 1,25 at the shoulder and weigh about 150Kg (females 1,1 m & 120Kg). It prefers the open grassland of the central parts of Africa. I photographed this on the Kgalagadi region in the Mabuasehube game reserve of Botswana during my recent trip.
eleana, Luc, horia, marhowie, LordPotty, elefantino, hester, soccer, scottevers7, ddg, RII has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Nico,
so nice photo, I like compo, light and pose a lot. Thanks and best wishes,
Elena

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2006-06-25 9:50]

Excellent image, Nico. The time of the capture couldn't be any better - gives such a nice, warm light to the subject. The way he is looking at you and the marks on his skin make it an even better picture. The note is very good, too.
All in all...Bravo and TFS!
Horia

Very nice shot Nico,
Excellent DOF isolating your subject nicely in the frame. Great pose as the animal turns toward you. Great color, exposure and detail as well. I like the evidence of attack (scars)I see, at the animals hindquarter...
Excellent note,
Very well done.

Great shot Nico.
The claw marks are clearly visible in the patch of sunlight,and the overall composition is great.
Well done.

What a lucky buck!! Not a friendly close encounter last night!
Great shot with a good light.
I love Africa.
Andrea

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 637 W: 32 N: 792] (3084)
  • [2006-06-25 16:16]

Hi Nico, great shot. Like you say one of the lucky ones. Great lighting, colours, POV and well composed. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-06-25 16:33]

A beautiful shot that also tells a story, wonderful

  • Great 
  • ciccio Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 221 W: 50 N: 338] (2751)
  • [2006-06-25 17:59]

Hi Nico, la foto es preciosa, tiene un colorido y contrastes espectaculares. La pose además es muy buena. Un saludo.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1538 W: 5 N: 2240] (12636)
  • [2006-06-26 4:41]

Bonjour Nico!

Félicitations pour cette belle composition. Le contraste est parfait et les détails excellents.
Merci.
joseph

Nico,

Very interesting subject choice. He was very lucky indeed! The composition, DOF, sharpness and detail of the subject are all great. TFS,
Sheriff

Hi Nico,

WOW! that is truely amazing. Great quality light here, and the overall composition is superb. He is one lucky Hartebeest. But he will need to be lucky more than this one time to survive to an older age. Great shot!

Scott

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 867 W: 24 N: 1008] (5507)
  • [2006-06-26 15:22]

Superbe composition Nico, l'attitude de l'animal vous regardant est magifique et le sujet est parfaitement mis en valeur au milieu de cette chaude savane. Mes compliments, Didier.

  • Great 
  • RII Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 481 W: 0 N: 895] (2862)
  • [2006-06-30 18:07]

Hi my friend Nico.
Great african postal,very nice composition, colors and point of view, good note.

Saludos.....RICARDO

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