<< Previous Next >>

For Ivan Kruys


For Ivan Kruys
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-16
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/320 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park 1, Dedications I have made [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-30 7:46
Viewed: 3796
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Blue Wildebeest / Connochaetes taurinus

Today's image I would like to dedicated to a very noble gentleman whom I personally see as one of the leaders of the Trek Nature pack, (Ivan Kruys). He has stuck to the site through thick and thin, in good times and in bad times and may I even say in sickness and in health (ha-ha sounds like the wedding formulary!). No seriously, Ivan has just always been there and stayed put. Even after Ulla left (luckily she is back) remained to tutor and advice, and shared his great knowledge with us. I don't think we always realise his great input on the site. Ivan I thank you and appreciate you for that, and Loot agreed with me on this and sends his regard. I am sure many other members share my thoughts too. I thought the eyes and ears of this lovely animal can be associated with Ivan as he is always on the look out to give advice and to listen to any member that crosses his way.

This image of the Blue Wildebeest was also taken on the same day we encountered the lion as described in my previous posting.

General Overview
Driven by their need for water and their partiality for fresh, spouting grass, blue wildebeest have an amazing ability to track down a rainstorm - even if it is many kilometres away.

Sometimes in herds of thousands, they will follow the sound of thunder, or perhaps the sight of rain clouds, until they reach the freshly fallen rain.

Tossing their massive heads about nervously and sniffing the air for the scent of predators, their humped shoulders and sloping backs rolling in a rocking-horse gait, these creatures resemble clumsy clowns of the wild. But their snorts and grunts of alarm are justifiable: they're the favourite prey of lions.

On their immense migrations, the younger, non-territorial bulls are relegated to the perimeter of the herd, often relying on the timidity of accompanying zebra for an early warning if predators are about.

Exceptionally inquisitive, blue wildebeest often stand and stare at an intruder, before suddenly whirling round and galloping off. They are tough and although normally timid, will fight ferociously when cornered.

Taken from: Animals of the Kruger Park and Lowveld - Heritage Publishing.

I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
roges, nglen, goatman04, bahadir, xTauruSx, oanaotilia, jaycee, tariq, boreocypriensis, zulfu, peter_stoeckl, Dis. Ac., jcoowanitwong, maurydv, Mikolaj has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 957 W: 0 N: 1329] (6264)
  • [2009-08-30 7:55]

Hallo Anna,

Excellent and very interesting your captures.
I have not yet seen such specimens. Thank you for this exposure.
Have a beautiful day,
Adrian

Ciao Miss Piggy, we are neighbour today, great portrait of wonderful creature, good natural colors and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2009-08-30 8:02]

Hi Anna. i have just bee wathching Wildebeest on TV as it raining outside . The i turn the computer on on you have posted one. I love the way this one has its eyes on you . Taken with sharp focusing and fine detail. All with natural olours. I argre with you on this dedication to are good friend Ivan. Well done TFs.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2009-08-30 8:12]

Hello Anna,
Great portrait of this Wildebeest. Excellent sharp details and a very nice frontal POV. Beautiful natural colours. Good composition.
Sympathic dedication.
Regards,
Peter

hello Anna
GREAT head with very good details
super sharpness and good colours
great shot
greeting lou

Hi Anna,
Excellent sharp image with great eye contact. The bright light is very well controlled and I like the close capture a lot.
TFS,
Niek

Hello Anna,

A great capture of this Wildebeest with lovely natural coloration, sharpness & excellent fine details. Very well done with care !

A great dedication/gift to a deserving & caring person like Ivan!

Best regards

Umar

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2009-08-30 10:49]

"Well, same to you!" the wildebeest seems to stay.
He seems to be in a staring contest with you. Great eye contact.
What a great close-up of this big animal, Anna!
This photo gives the feeling of a personal encounter between (wo)man and beast!
Very fine details and a wonderful presentation of his head.
TFS. : )

Hello Anna,
Beuatiful shot of this fine looking wildebeest.
Excellent details and nice composition.
TFS and regards,
bahadır

Hello Anna, superb shot of this beautiful wildebeest and great dedication to Ivan.
TFS and regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2009-08-30 15:11]

Hi Anna,

This Wildebeest is just wonderful and a marvelous dedication to Ivan. I second everything you said about him. They say everyone can be replaced - he is the exception to that rule. A beautiful close-up of this animal with outstanding details and colors. He is reminding me of my wonderful trip to Africa - an experience of a lifetime.

Jane

  • Great 
  • tariq Silver Star Critiquer [C: 28 W: 1 N: 2] (2)
  • [2009-08-30 19:43]

Hi Anna,
Its since long i left TN but did not close my account.I joined TL which is more suitable for a so called photographer of my sort.I took some break from there so just came to see how my old friends are doing and as usual they are doing the best.Nice to see you ever eager and energetic.This portrait is a very special perhaps she is looking for some photograph for passport to US.Very sharp clear .good POV nice BG and well balanced colors and contrasts.Good luck

I am always impressed with the sharpness your Sony camera produces. You must have been pretty close to this fellow. He certainly is looking at you. The exposure looks very good too.
It's a great image.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hi and Good Morning MF Anna,

Absolutely you are right on Ivan and he deservs such beautiful dedication. Excellently captured a real beauty from wonderful POV with a delightful composition and excellent details. I especially love its facial expression here.
TFS and have a nice Week!
Cheers,

Bayram

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 685 W: 0 N: 2] (43)
  • [2009-08-31 2:04]

Hello Anna, great shot of this beautiful animal and pleasan dedication to a great nature photographer, Ivan.
TFS and R's,
Mehmet

Hello Anna
I agree with you, Ivan is one of the most important and most appreciate member on TN and his knowledge is immense
wonderful animal taken with great sharpness and impressive eye contact
colors and lighting are also good
Have a good night
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2009-09-01 8:15]

Wow! thank you Anna!
A fine image of this Blue Wildebeest staring at the viewer with a certain amount of surprise, which is what I feel! The POV and lighting are superb and the sharpness couldn't be better against the OOF natural BG. Furthermore the centrally placed head is just right in this composition.
Thanks Anna and my best regards to both you and Loot!
Ivan

  • Great 
  • briGG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 195 W: 2 N: 344] (1823)
  • [2009-09-01 12:42]

Hello Anna,

very good shot, and good framing! It's not easy!
This head is very close! I've never seen this animal!
Thank you for the share!

Brigitte

Hello Anna,
a very expressive animal portrait, remarkable in its strictly symmetrical composition that delivers a frontal view of the face, a perfect side view of body, and a good glimpe of the thornbush habitat with young vegetation.
A facial expression that is quite funny to look at, too. Nice gift to our friend Ivan, I totally agree with you about his very productive and cooperative leading role here on TN, and never lacking a good sense of humour.
Thank you! With best regards,
Peter

Hello Anna,

What a great look of this "Gnu" (btw, do you use more often the word "Gnu" or "Wildebeest" to reference to this antilope? In french we call it "Gnou").

I like the fact that you wait until the antilope offered you a perfect eye contact! I like also the light giving shadows and then texture to the animal :-)

Is f/4.5 the greater aperture you can use? Because with a bigger aperture, the background should have been more blurry...

Cheers! :-)

Michel

Hello Anna,


an very nice portrait picture from this wild animal.
Fine colours, good detail.
Very nice dedication to Ivan.

Gert

Hi Anna,
Probably this Blue Wildebeest cautious eyes looks straightly to your camera lens. A wonderful picture. Also the appropriate dedication to Ivan.
JC

Hello Anna,
a nice funny dedication to our frien Ivan; a very beautiful picture of the Blue Wildebeest taken from an excellent POV with superb sharpness, marvellous broght colours, a pleasing composition with a great eye contact.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Excelente luz y sobre todo destaca el buen enfoque al motivo principal: la cabeza; incluye tembién los ojos, que como en muchos animales, su buena representación hace que la toma gane enteros. Mucho realismo !
Otra especie desconocida por los Europeos jeje.
Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2009-09-18 8:56]

Hi Anna,
what a lovely shot of this beest. Veey sharp details and lovely feature that does not exist in my land. The beauty of the shot is well seen and indeed I like the composition.
To Mr. Ivan Kruys, i totally agree with you Anna. The contributions and the knowledge shared.
Im also indebted with him alot especially in getting birds' ID.
thanks for dedicating to him,.
This image justifies his great contribution.
congratulations.

regards,
Foozi

Hello Anna! Amazing guy, wonderful eyes. GOod scene. Perfect capture. Ideal exposure. Funny effect. Well done!

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF