Dave_E wrote:
Eric what a lucky guy to see this beautiful cat, but you sure delivered some great images. You sure had great guides to get that close so often to a very rare cat. The crowds that would follow such a cat must be huge when word gets out. The eyes are magical. I hope that last shot is a big print on your wall. A beautiful low look coming right towards you beautifully exposed with just the right amount of light.
Dave
Thanks Dave…fortunately she is on a private reserve which is controlled very well. Only a few vehicles are allowed to follow her and interestingly there were two groups only interested in seeing wild dogs and so spent less than 10 minutes with her over the time we were there.
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johnohio wrote:
Congratulations !! Incredibly cool shots ! I don't think I have ever seen shots of a black one before. I can only imagine what great memories were made from that trip.
John
Thanks…I had goosebumps when I first saw her in person..sometimes you get more than you deserve…I felt that on this trip.
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Al Trujillo wrote:
I bet your face hurt for weeks after smiling so much at this encounter! What an experience that must have been!! Thank you for sharing these wonderful images of such an incredible creature!
Yes, Al, I haven’t stopped smiling even now!
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sum1sgrampa wrote:
Wow ! What a sight ! I can't even imagine the rush that must have brought. Congratulations !
Gary
Thanks Gary…I tried to dampen my expectations even to the point we might never see her….what I saw over just a few days was extraordinary. Watching her nighttime hunts was quite something and totally different than following typical colored leopards whose coats make them much easier to see on a moonlit night. She was indeed a shadow!
The term "once in a lifetime" is tossed around a lot - this is the true definition. You took full advantage and did a superb job of capturing this beautiful animal and her habitat. How did you light those incredible night shots, and how did you manage to find her in the dark??
This thread is a great example of why I come back to FM almost every day when I can.
kdacharya wrote:
Insanely awesome, what else is left say after all the other comments?
YGMV
Thanks KD..fun and productive trip.
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G.E. Smith wrote:
Eric - These are incredible. Congratulations on getting your Holy Grail. Loved every image, but the last one is over the top. What an intense stare and those eyes. Great, great job.
Greg
Many thanks Greg…was pleased we were able to get a few images when the light was decent. Much more time was shooting at ISOs 12.8
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n.v.m. wrote:
unbelievable images. you must be so proud. voted!
Thanks, I am thrilled that I had the opportunity and she delivered!
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Genes Home wrote:
What a gorgeous girl!
and your photos are simply outstanding. Great job, and super decision to grab the trip on no notice.
Thanks…the internal debate didn’t last too long but I always feel guilty leaving my family…they were all happy for me as they knew that it was something I wanted to see for a very long time. She is indeed a looker.
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Bobg657 wrote:
What an incredible group of sightings Eric, especially love the night drive shot with the dik dik! Voted!
Bob
Thanks Bob…hope she stays around the area for some time and becomes more tolerant of vehicles during the day.
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Tom In Arizona wrote:
Hi Eric...
Such a great series of photographs to showcase this elegant cat. Childhood dreams can certainly come true. Congratulations, and let us know (better yet, show us) what else you've been thinking about since you were a child.
Tom
Tom, thanks…and yes this dream did come true…I do have at least one other but not sure that’ll happen as my family has already vetoed it.
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mjgphotoz wrote:
Eric, these are absolutely incredible on all accounts, and your dream come true to boot. I echo what Morris said regarding your exposure and post processing for the underlying coat pattern. Perfectly done! YGMV.
All I can say is congratulations on a lifetime memory accomplished so perfectly!
Mary
Mary, you are too kind. Photographing her at night is particularly difficult…we try not to spotlight her directly and as a result almost all shots are at ISO12.8K and even then, underexposed quite a bit Just seeing her stalk and hunt was thrilling…goosebumps for sure.
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Lil Judd wrote:
Congratulations Eric
So very happy for you to get this opportunity
The shots are wonderful of the beautiful Giza and her mother & brother.
What an experience. I loved all of them
Lil
Thanks Lil….it was a very rewarding experience. To finally get to see and photograph something I’d only ever dreamed I’d see is to this day something I can’t believe. Hope all is well with you!
Jim Dockery wrote:
The term "once in a lifetime" is tossed around a lot - this is the true definition. You took full advantage and did a superb job of capturing this beautiful animal and her habitat. How did you light those incredible night shots, and how did you manage to find her in the dark??
This thread is a great example of why I come back to FM almost every day when I can.
Thanks Jim and yes it was one of my most memorable wildlife trips. We used hand held spot lights at night but not directly on her. If possible, we tried to have a second vehicle light her from the side. Unfortunately, she didn’t exactly cooperate. Finding her is tricky but often we would see her crossing the mostly dried up river at dusk when there was still enough natural light.,.then it was keeping her in our sights as she hunted.
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jaylee73 wrote:
Congratulations Eric. Super images. Thanks for sharing.
Jason
Thanks Jason…glad you liked them.
Eric
Only just caught this now, have been in the Serengeti for the past month.
Just a wonderful set Eric, first rate as usual.
I too share your lifelong bucket list of a melanistic leopard and also scheduled for a 2 week trip to Laikipia Wilderness for July/Aug....just a shame we had not known about each others "bucket" as it would have been nice to share a trip with you....perhaps next time.
Ronny
Thanks Ronny...fortunate to have such a striking subject!
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Sage11 wrote:
Congratulations and thank you for sharing these wonderful images.
Thank YOU...I do feel rather fortunate to have had the opportunity.
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Pius Sullivan wrote:
Amazing photo's and encounter, Eric.... top notch as always.
GMV
Pius
Thanks Pius....would have liked a bit more time with her in really nice light but just seeing her was a thrill.
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iseec wrote:
Thanks for sharing this wonderful set of pictures.
My pleasure and thank yo
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marc2307 wrote:
Only just caught this now, have been in the Serengeti for the past month.
Just a wonderful set Eric, first rate as usual.
I too share your lifelong bucket list of a melanistic leopard and also scheduled for a 2 week trip to Laikipia Wilderness for July/Aug....just a shame we had not known about each others "bucket" as it would have been nice to share a trip with you....perhaps next time.
Cheers
Marc
Hey Marc, I know you've captured some other melanistic cats so when you see her that will add to your rather impressive portfolio! Yes, it would have been nice to share this...I am hopeful that by the time you come she might have cubs and maybe just maybe be more chill around vehicles during daylight hours. A month in the Serengeti eh? That must have been epic!
Thanks for stopping by and I echo your wish we get to shoot together sometime.
