Bryan
Thanks for the pix picks Bryan....these were taken in Chile, adjacent to Torres Del Paine national park
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Imagemaster wrote:
Great exposures and rim lighting, Mr. CatMan.
Tony
Very, very much appreciated Tony
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birdied wrote:
Wow! Love the first one, such gorgeous light. All really amazing . 1 and 5 are my favorites.
Birdie
Thanks Birdie....I've not shot too much into the sun and for the longest time I didn't even process these....it was quite a challenge and luckily they turned out ok.
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surgemaster wrote:
What great back lit subjects, Eric. Well composed. You must have been sooo excited, then.
Rex
Thanks Rex, it was quite a thrill following this cat as it walked along the trail within the park while I was outside it. The hope was that it would jump the fence and that would have been epic but too many people came too close so she kept walking and walking and eventually disappeared from view.
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louie champan wrote:
What a terrific series Eric, beautiful.
Thanks Louie
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AGeoJO wrote:
Eric, these images are simply outstanding and YGMV!
Joshua
Thanks Joshua....it is always something quite special to spend time with wild cats...and on foot, even more so.
juankgigo wrote:
Eric, love this series man! Is this in the US?
Thanks so much....these are from Torres del Paine in Chile
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kmunroe wrote:
lovely set of cats Eric
Thanks Kenny
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Bobg657 wrote:
Great shots Eric, I'm in for the first and fifth!
Thanks for the pix picks Bob
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palmor wrote:
Great set! Where did you see them?
Thank you....these are from Chile, specifically and literally along the border fence of Torres del Paine national park
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dclark wrote:
These are beautiful encounters and images and the light is excellent. I don't understand the circumstances. You were on foot and close enough for these photos? Seems too dangerous. Were you on some high place? Only the last one looks like it may have been from a high place that may have been a bit safer. Regardless you were not eaten and the images are excellent.
Dave
Thanks Dave....a little background to give you some idea of why and how. Pumas have been hunted for many many generations as they are known to kill livestock especially sheep. As such, they will have become afraid of anything on two feet. The bipedal form signifies danger and the cats will normally stay clear of people especially during the day. This is pretty true of all the cats, here and in Africa. We are the apex diurnal predator. So, the bigger concern is not being eaten or attacked but being able to get close enough without them running away. Hunting has been over now for quite a while as tourism was found to be lucrative and so killing the cats is not done any more. Over the last 8-10 years these particular pumas have been slowly been habituated to people's presence and therefore they do not flee from people unless they get too close or feel surrounded. There are ways to approach them without causing their flight or fight response to be triggered. Unfortunately many people do not appreciate that and will get closer and closer....think approaching a snowy owl that is just sitting and doesn't fly until someone gets within a certain distance. In addition, there is plenty of prey around....the pumas' favorite is the guanaco and we regularly found remains of them scattered around.
I even had about 30 seconds where it was just a puma looking at me from about 30-40 yards away and there was no sign of aggression...it was a moment I will never forget.
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Ted ellis wrote:
Excellent series Eric, great rich backlight. All are top notch.
Thanks Ted....I was very very lucky
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Fred Amico wrote:
Wonderful images in great light, Eric!
Thanks so much Fred....it's funny that I wasn't all that happy with the light at the time.
mhnudi wrote:
Really loving that first shot! Nice set as a whole
Many thanks..it was a challenge to process these and happy they seem to have turned out alright
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genemiller wrote:
Wonderful photos, Eric! You caught amazing light, and took full advantage. Well done.
Gene
Thanks Gene..funny that I wasn’t happy with the light at the time...it took awhile for me to even attempt to process them
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Kartik P wrote:
The rimlight in 1,2&3 is amazing. What a fun encounter!!
Thanks, and yes we were so fortunate to be able to spend quality time with some special cats
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marc2307 wrote:
None of your images are loading for me ATM Eric?
Have you tried again Marc...not sure why they aren’t rendering..maybe you have an Africa filterapplied😏
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arbitrage wrote:
Very very nice work Eric. I think you have nailed the backlight processing.
TFS
Geoff
Thanks Geoff. It took quite awhile and lots of experimenting before I was happy with the results
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CJMiller wrote:
30-40 yards? Crazy, I bet you won't forget that. Your heart must have racing!
Chris
It’s funny, I don’t remember being stressed or anxious...and I really believe animals can sense your “being” which plays quite a lot to one’s ability to approach without flight or fight being evoked
Eric, the first and last images take my breath away. Gorgeous light in the first, and the detail and intimacy with the animal in that last one is stunning. Well done, as always.
jfwoodman wrote:
Eric, the first and last images take my breath away. Gorgeous light in the first, and the detail and intimacy with the animal in that last one is stunning. Well done, as always.
Jim
Thanks Jim...I was very lucky being able to capture images at various times of day and in different locales.
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anthonysemone wrote:
Eric, #6 is just utterly exquisite. Superb collection of work, Sir.
Thanks so much....we were very lucky to find her in “bed”.
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Pius Sullivan wrote:
Top notch, Eric.
Pius
Thanks Pius
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bibek wrote:
Nice set Eric. Have to visit FM more often.
thanks bibek....FM is a nice place to stop by...lots of quality to be seen
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joefish wrote:
nice set, that first one with being back lite is killer!
Many thanks....was lucky to be able to get that view.
