"A View to a Kill" (Part 2) Photo

Photographer’s Note

You need to look at the Workshops to fully appreciate this post. I have made a picture story.

There are thought to be approximately 50 -100 individual lions in the Ngorongoro Crater, which I don’t think seems very many. While we were driving around the crater floor we had 3 different sightings. I was fascinated by this sighting.

When we arrived, the male lion was obviously eating and we couldn’t see the females. When he had finished, the two females raced to the “kill”. I assume it was the alpha female who got there first. The other one licked the male’s face. I expect she was licking off the blood but it looked quite touching. This shot was taken just after. In sequence WS1 came first, the main post was next, and then WS2, when the male decided to leave his “concubines” to finish off the meal.

For information about the Ngorongoro Crater see here

ISO200, FL300mm,

rigoletto, snunney, fabio_ts, jwmunro, scobert, migzal, BlkDaffyDuck, Wandering_Dan, dareco, pboehringer, Floydian, velocista, Tobias__Ortmann, cbrman, ktanska, Gerrit, Cricri, pasternak, Dyerco, UlfE, JCG, PixelTerror, stego, Emile, noborders, riclopes has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rigoletto (27112) 2008-04-08 6:46

Hi Kath,
This is most probably the story of the year, with full romance, flesh and blood (Pulitzer maybe?). We hereby need to thank the optical scientists for discovering the secrets of tele objectives.
And we also thank you for this complete story of hunger and satisfaction. I must say, this is one of the moments which i regret that i cannot select "useful" for the WS added by the photographer herself. TFS,
Deniz

snunney (35880) 2008-04-08 6:47

Hello Kath,
A nice little story in pictures, any of which are worth postings though I can understand why you have selected this one. It has a great charm and poignancy about it. I like the framing and the colours, which are quite natural. Sharpness is excellent.

batalay (21422) 2008-04-08 6:53

Hello Kath,

A sensational image, which makes a more endearing story when it's taken in tandem with the images in ws. The composition is very good in all three images, and so are the colors and resolution. Most likely, before the "king" partook in his meal, a lioness hunted down the zebra. I understand the males are especially lazy, but are the first to enjoy the fruits of the kill.

Regards,

Bulent

fabio_ts (13674) 2008-04-08 6:53

Ciao Kath, a nice and original idea the WS photo-story, I've really appreciated it, obviously all the pictures are taken really well with great quality, compliments!!

have a nice evening,
Fabio.

TopGeo (22509) 2008-04-08 6:57

Hi Kath excellent shots they have interesting view of picture story, They are captured with stability clarity and detail. The colours and the choices very good.
Comliments
Georgios

jwmunro (6285) 2008-04-08 7:25

Hello Kath -

Well spotted and presented. I like this idea of a story of images and how you worked five images into one post. It appears the lighting is a bit harsh but you managed it very well. The relatively shallow DOF focuses attention on the subject and makes all of the subjects in focus. Well done

Thank you for sharing.

John

smarcell (14715) 2008-04-08 7:34

Very interesting and beautiful shot.
Stefano

scobert (5333) 2008-04-08 8:13

Hi Kath,
You could visit this area a dozen more times and you would probably never view this scene again. It looks like they are one happy family, but we both know that this is a very fleeting situation. This is an amazing and very rare glimpse of these fearsome creatures who are trying to eke out a living in this unforgiving environment. When I watch the safari shows the lions are usually fighting over food or growling at each other. You did a great job of creating this unique image of the majestic lions in a rare moment of gentleness in a savage environment. Outstanding! (I just read that Bulent said that the male lions are lazy. They don't usually participate in the hunt but they are busy protecting the pride from the disgusting hyenas).
Stan

migzal (485) 2008-04-08 8:22

Another excellent safari shot by yours. i'm impressed.
Miguel

BlkDaffyDuck (385) 2008-04-08 8:37

Hello Kath,

That's an uncredible picture. We know that's so difficult to shoot wild animals and your picture see us an incredible instant : a lion cuddly. An colors, sharpness and POV are so good too.
Your workshops are very interresting and your choice for the final picture is good.
Congratulation and TFS !

Regards,
Damien.

Tobias__Ortmann (2591) 2008-04-08 8:40

Hi kath
a new post of you but great one
nice colours very good lights and nice contrast
this scene is also nice
I also uploaded my new picture
tfs Toba

BoisBarb (9439) 2008-04-08 8:51

Moment de tendresse magique entre ce lion et cette lionne, le cadrage et la netteté sont superbes. C'est du travail de pro tout simplement
BoisBarb

Wandering_Dan (3331) 2008-04-08 9:08

Hi, Kath -

You should have added this to the Humor category! It's a fabulous shot, but it needs a bit of tweak, IMO. So I tweaked it - see my WS.

Typically, in Africa (I don't know about India) the female lions do the hunting, then the male comes along and eats what they kill. Nice job, huh? I have seen unattached males do their own hunting, though.

Best,
Dan

[workshop] [compare] +

dareco (17104) 2008-04-08 9:19

All of these pictures are very nice. Wonderful moments captured of these very beautiful animals. TFS

Photo65Net (43106) 2008-04-08 10:22

Hello Kath,
A very good catch !
I'ma amazed by your series from African parks... As in this one, every single picture adds something to the whole trip story.
Regards,
JB.

Stepan (27175) 2008-04-08 10:31

A great scene again... The WS shows the levels could have been better but except that it's ok to me. Unreal...
Stéphane

bostankorkulugu (34212) 2008-04-08 12:18

it looks like "love at first sight" to me;)... a touching moment, looks romantic somehow... i wish the two were alone in the frame...

cheers... korkut

velocista (881) 2008-04-08 13:15

olá Kath,
a great photo with a great story behind. the idea of your workshops was great. congratulations. pedro

gneufeld (15289) 2008-04-08 13:47

Hi Kath,
A cool shot of these magnificent cats in action. I love the workshop bonus shots you posted too - a wonderful series. Good perspective and great wildlife shot. TFS. Gerald

gilou530 (35992) 2008-04-08 13:52

salut kath
you had more chance than me because I did not see a lion, beautiful a scéne of family collected well here with the 300mm
well done
friendships
gilbert

lopshang (628) 2008-04-08 18:12

Hi Kath

I found you one of the great wildlife photographer in TE. I saw your each and every shot and i found that its getting better and better by every shot. Wow this one too is great in its own way. I wonder how you choose your subject.

Good composition and Great POV.

Regards,

Lopshang.

cbrman (19137) 2008-04-08 22:26

Hello Kath,

Une très belle série de cette famille de lions. Cela doit être passionnant de pouvoir observer ces fauves et leur comportement. La prise de vue semble très nette. Tu as pu profité de très bonne condition de lumière pour réaliser ces clichés.
Merci pour le partage de ce moment de vie sauvage.

A+

Dominique

ktanska (16759) 2008-04-08 22:55

Hi Kath,
You were really lucky to catch such a sight. I think they don't eat so often, but quite a lot when they catch something. Really a decisive moment shot. Triangle composition looks good.
Kari

Floydian (30970) 2008-04-09 0:45

Hello Kath,
A very nice serie you present here. The group has a strong bond and that shows here. Here is a kind of tenderness and it really shows how large the male is...very nice. Is there a slight red color cast, or was it the warm light?
Regards, Henk

vincz (19075) 2008-04-09 1:47

What a great story with all the pictures in the workshops. An excellent series in just one post.

Gerrit (36615) 2008-04-09 3:08

Hi Kath,
remarkable picture in an excellent mini-series. A great photo-story.
Regards, gerrit

Cricri (44153) 2008-04-09 3:28

Hi Kath,
C'est surement un des moments les plus beaux de cette petite famille ou la tendresse ce fait sentir, les WS bien sur sont belles et intéressante aussi, que de belle image de ce voyage, compliment
good day for you
cricri

pasternak (13848) 2008-04-09 5:23

Indeed a whole story, Kath, the moment you've captured here is wonderful and indeed touching, even though it probably all comes down to instinctive behavior.

Cheers
A.

Dyerco (9404) 2008-04-09 6:53

Hi Kath
This is a touching shot as it shows the lions interacting in their environment rather than a straight pose. The exposure and DOF is spot on.
Very well done. Thanks for the WS as well.
Phil

pboehringer (770) 2008-04-09 7:08

Kath,
impressive sequence and at moments like these I get sad that there aren't better ways to present such sequence at TE. Putting all three together as you did with the two at WS would have diluted the impression due to the limitation of 800 pixels and yet it might have been an option.
Peter

UlfE (9268) 2008-04-09 10:20

Hi Kath,

Excellent photo story. I really enjoy the way you present the course of events. Both with you funny notes and your wonderful pictures. The I'am off girls picture is superb. TFS this series of pictures!

Cheers,

Ulf

JCG (25911) 2008-04-10 0:45

Hi Kath,

A quite pretty report photographs on the meal of the king… Primacy of the male in this kind of situation !!! These poor lionesses do all the work and he does not have any more but to serve the first. Beautiful quality of the images, I like much the photograph in WS where one sees the lion of profile with his pretty mane and his cowlick. Beautiful work Kath, thank you to show us this aspect of this wild world.

With all my friendships and a very good day,

Jean-Charles

PixelTerror (87215) 2008-04-10 1:03

Hi K*th(s),
Oooh Love me tender ... Nice and touching scene, whole story with associated pictures works well but seeing only that one here it seems it's the neglected female who's about to jump on the preferred one for a serious discussion !
Have a nice day JY

stego (22500) 2008-04-10 15:08

Hi Kath,
I wish I had the talent for writing critiques of Deniz... :-) This 5 images series really deserve much more than just the usual 'good pov, excellent PP, etc.'
I remember reading a recent discussion you had with someone that mentioned a book of Blake and Mortimer in which you stated that 'comics isn't my cup of tea'. Really? The only thing missing here are the balloons with the dialogues of the lions. :D
Regards, José.

Royaldevon (6026) 2008-04-12 3:14

Hello Kath,

What an original and interesting idea!
You really have helped us to undertand a little of the unbelievable experiences and scenes that you have witnessed!

This scene, interpreted by us as very touching, just shows how intuitively resourceful the females have to be to get every possible benefit.
I have great respect for lionesses. I watched a film a few days ago where a female was protecting her cubs from a male. Initially she hid them but when the male located them, much to the surprise of the photographer, she actually attacked the male and chase him away!

Your photographs are an inspiration, Kath!
You capture the soul as well as the image!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Many thanks for your comments on my 'Oh to be in England'.

coco (28328) 2008-04-12 12:04

Hi Kath.

This is wonderful and powerful story. Somehow you have become a storyteller with these pictures and with the note.
Excellent work again.

Regards.

Angshu (34253) 2008-04-12 22:24

Indeed without checking the WSs, the picture story is not complete. I was a bit confused at first because of the colour of the prey, almost the same as the lions...so I first thought they were playing. Guess the kill was a gazelle. Wonderful set of pictures & this one, as you said is a touching scene indeed. The BG colour cast almost matches the lion's colours, could have tried tweaking with the colour balance a bit?!..Great work Kath!
Regards
Angshu

saigon (5541) 2008-04-17 8:51

bonjour KATH.
j'aime beaucoup vos photos sur les animaux d'Afrique!
je voulais te remercié aussi pour l'aide que tu m'a apporté sur le FORUM!
j'ai istallé VISTA et capture NX sans coché les cases JPEG & TIFF et maintenant tout fonctionne!
:-))
thank KATH!
amitiés....aldo.

Emile (20177) 2008-04-27 13:06

Hola Kath.
Another excellent shot of your series from Tanzania, lovely view of the lions together, a tender look while the other female lion is watching and eating, Very good sequences in your WS, very well captured.
Well done. Wish you a nice week ahead.
Cheers.

noborders (14201) 2008-05-02 4:58

Hi Kath,
... Hey, what's going on here ? It's a pity that you did not post one of those fantastic WS as "original versions", I think they are more "talking" than this one (although this one has a lot of tensions in it) : is it British "reserve" ;-)) ??
Anyway, the whole series is really superb, you are lucky to have been able to witness such a drama !
Excellent, congratulations !
Best regards,
Cath.

huahoa (3691) 2008-08-06 16:05

Hi Kath,
A very nice moment you captured !
These big cats are in love (lol)
I dream to achieve one day such safari.
Well done !
Hoa

riclopes (33159) 2008-12-10 0:36

Olá Kath, even without the full story giving more context to what we see here, this is immediately a sweet scene. The way they both stand face to face can only be interpreted as a loving moment and not as a fight. I can imagine the excitment of presencing and photographing everything that happened here. The rules of Nature are clear - The Male is in charge - why women can't understand that and complain all the time? :)))))
Very original way of presenting the whole action.
ricardo