z06jim wrote:
Awesome set Eric...love em' all but enjoyed the Lappetfaced Vulture most...keep going back to look at him.....
Jim, thank you so much...it does have a unique look to it that I had never managed to get before, and sadly, since...but I'll take this one.
Eric
George
Thanks so much George...it is one of the nice features of an African safari...so many target species and like Forest Gump said "you never know what you are going to get"
Eric
Ted ellis wrote:
Excellent Eric. I have yet to get a kestrel shot and you get one with 8 in a tree.
Ted
Thanks Ted...believe me I was shocked to see these guys...we chased them and they kept flying away but got lucky when they landed almost all together on this one tree. We had to glide up to them as the engine would spook them..fortunately we were headed a wee bit downhill.
Eric
Martin Good wrote:
Wow, more super stuff Eric.
The one of the Leopard and cub, while not as dramatic as some of the others, is a standout for me
Thanks Martin...I'm sure you meant cheetah and cub...and I agree that is more simple...appreciate the nice words.
Eric
David Leask wrote:
Super shots Eric. I love the big cats
David
Thanks David...they are so much fun to photograph...and even after all this time, my heart races every time I see a leopard...I swear, it is a visceral experience for me.
Eric
chupacabra31 wrote:
Eric, way to catch the expressions on those Lions! Just incredible!
Thanks, they do have a way of getting their point across. She's in heat and he want to put out the flame!
Eric
PetKal wrote:
These are all exquisite images, Eric, and you seem to maintain a consistently high quality in all of your pictures that I've seen, which I think is a pretty hard thing to achieve.
The pictures of lions really puzzle me because they have a seldom seen detail, "immediacy" and closeness to them, as if you were shooting them at no more than 20 ft focusing distance.
Paul, thank you...your words are especially meaningful. I have been fairly lucky with photographing lions. In addition to loving wildlife photography, I spend quite a bit of time learning about animal behavior by reading, observing and asking experts...it has made me a better photographer as I am better able to anticipate actions-reactions and am prepared for the shot. Sometimes the animals are not so cooperative and hid behind high grass, mounds or trees but at least I have a fighting chance.
I do not believe I was as close as 20 feet. I really try to give the animals space...it allows them to act more naturally and does not induce stress...but I think you already know this and probably incorporate this in your own photography.
I am happy you have made N&W a more common place to spend some time.
Eric
waldr_p wrote:
Some top shots here Eric. I think I like the Tawny Eagle's the best, very nice shots. Paul.
Thanks Paul...it's funny to think on my early trips birds were really an afterthought and now are sought after.
Eric
and you get one with 8 in a tree. 