Terrific shots Eric! African wild dogs are fascinating; they're so social. They can move fast when they're on a hunt. They're also unfortunately critically endangered.
Has there ever been an attack on a human by another human, over jealousy about his/her wild dog shots? I went there and all I got were leopard shots. Couldn't find a dog for trying.
Second most endangered? I'd argue they are the first. Because they exist in large packs, the total number of groups is less than that of any other large predator. And if targeted the entire pack is often taken.
BTW did I mention I love the shots old friend!
Don
rolsen wrote:
Nice series, last image shows the canine-like behaviour very well IMO.
- Rane
Thanks Rane...they are a blast spend time with.
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Ted ellis wrote:
Great looking set Eric. Top tier
Thanks UT....
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hobbes382 wrote:
Terrific shots Eric! African wild dogs are fascinating; they're so social. They can move fast when they're on a hunt. They're also unfortunately critically endangered.
Love the low angle captures! Superb!
Cheers,
Hobbes
Thanks Hobbes...we were lucky to spend lots of time with the dogs at dens and also on the hunt....there is always action...often too much to keep up with.
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surgemaster wrote:
Quite a series, Eric. You got some spectacular images.
Rex
Thanks Rex...the trip rained cats and dogs...no complaints from me as you might expect.
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DonGut wrote:
Has there ever been an attack on a human by another human, over jealousy about his/her wild dog shots? I went there and all I got were leopard shots. Couldn't find a dog for trying.
Second most endangered? I'd argue they are the first. Because they exist in large packs, the total number of groups is less than that of any other large predator. And if targeted the entire pack is often taken.
BTW did I mention I love the shots old friend!
Don
Thank you Don...your cat images from your trip just after mine were over the top and I would have loved to be in that moment too. It is a shame you didn't get to see your favorite predator but of course that is the Africa gods' way of making sure you'll return. Next to Ethopian wolves they are the most endangered and of course, you are correct as to their vulnerability to disease. Whole packs are done in by rabies and distemper due to allogrooming as the method disease is spread among the pack.
Eric,
This must have been an incredible experience... some of these photos are amazingly intimate. It is as if the dogs were coming in to be pet by you...
As for the predatory set... it must have been tough to see that antelope go down... these guys are not known for a quick kill... just a relentless attack that eventually kills their prey.
AGeoJO wrote:
Eric, those are excellent images and yes, up close and personal of some of them, too. What a great set - well done!
Joshua
Thank you Joshua...getting images like these has been a dream and I can't tell you how stoked I was to be to do so. Being a big cat guy I had really never gotten "into" the dogs....I am now a convert!
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probishaw wrote:
Nice and very well captured, Eric!
Would be interested to know how you managed the "low downs". PM response OK.
Thanks,
Paul
Thanks Paul...PM sent
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drmoo wrote:
Beautiful shots!! From what I can see teeth look like a normal canine
Thanks so much. And while their teeth are "normal" canind teeth they are different than domestic dogs....their evolutionary branch separated millions of years ago from that which would become domestic dogs.
Jody Melanson wrote:
Stunning images as per usual Eric. I have Africa on my bucket list, hopefully we could shoot together some day!
Thanks Jody...I'd be honored to shoot side by side with the master! I have missed not seeing your photography...it has been an inspiration for many many years!
Eric
soupy wrote:
Wow, I was wondering if you were about to be a snack! Great shots, as usual. Good to see you.
Sue
Thanks Sue...luckily I wasn't wearing my puppy chow scented after shave
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hnilsson wrote:
I don't often vote but this is a no brainer. Love the low angle work buddy. And I have a hunch there were no remote cameras involved.
H
You are the best! Good hunch...cameras all hand held and as low as I could get.
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OwlsEyes wrote:
Eric,
This must have been an incredible experience... some of these photos are amazingly intimate. It is as if the dogs were coming in to be pet by you...
As for the predatory set... it must have been tough to see that antelope go down... these guys are not known for a quick kill... just a relentless attack that eventually kills their prey.
cheers,
bruce
Thanks Bruce...it was an incredible experience. Being able to see these guys both at rest and on the hunt was quite special. In fact, they do dispatch their prey quickly....once caught the dogs will start to rip the prey apart and quickly it will go into shock...I'm not sure there is a good way to die but the rapidity they do it is certainly more "humane" then a 10-60 minute choke hold. It's all over very quickly and the prey totally consumed within minutes. Oft times we came upon a kill that occurred less than a minute before and there was almost nothing left.
eyelaser wrote:
Thanks Jody...I'd be honored to shoot side by side with the master! I have missed not seeing your photography...it has been an inspiration for many many years!
Eric
