The Skittish Giraffe

The Skittish Giraffe

KENY10D-57

March 14, 2010

Keeping with the animal theme for one more day, this time we depart the scary predators of last week's submissions and instead take a gander at the gentle giants I was able to witness in Kenya, when I was there 2 years ago. On the outskirts of Nairobi, this guy was munching along, oblivious to most of what was going on around him. However, the sound of our transport really perked him up, and he was terrified as we slowed down to get a better look. This giraffe was very skittish, not too enthralled at the prospect of being watched or being near people. But he held still long enough to get a couple shots. As I didn't have a very long lens with me, I preferred to shoot the giraffe against the backdrop of acacia trees, I thought it added a nice context to the photo. Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 185 mm

Exposure: 1/1250   f/4.5   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Lazy Cat

Lazy Cat
NCAR10D-194

February 26, 2012

Ah, Fridays spent in the sun, paws in the air,  without a care in the world.  If only life could be as easy as that.  This cat is loving the afternoon, on a secluded high-rise platform at Conservator's Center in Burlington NC.  Our final submission for this edition of Beast Week, heading into the weekend.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 185 mm

Exposure: 1/1250   f/4.5   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Thirsty Cat

Thirsty Cat
NCAR10D-171

February 26, 2012

Beast Week continues, and we're still with our big cat friend, the lion.  This adult male lion from the Conservator's Center was roaming around, looking mighty thirsty on a warm day, tongue hanging out from his big maw.  Luckily he just looked thirsty and not hungry!  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 200 mm

Exposure: 1/800   f/2.8   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Quiet Lion Queen

Quiet Lion Queen

NCAR10D-161

February 26, 2012

Beast Week hits the mid week, and not only is this picture of a particularly cool cat from the Conservator's Center, but it also sums up how I feel this morning... a bit droopy, a lazy cat.  This hunting queen was taking in the afternoon sun, unconcerned about the people staring and gawking at her.  Enjoy.

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 200 mm

Exposure: 1/2000   f/2.8   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The King

The King

NCAR12D-156

February 26, 2012

Another image for Beast Week today on Wandering Lens.  Returning to the Conservator's Center,  this regal lion male was making a loud howling, chuffing noise.  It reverberated throughout the whole center, and was described as a way for the pride to keep track of each other and coordinate movements.  While it was not a full-on roar, the noise was very loud, intimidating, and awe-inspiring.  It showed why these guys are labeled 'kings of the jungle.'  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 200 mm

Exposure: 1/1250   f/2.8   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Alpha Female

The Alpha Female

NCAR10D-148

February 26, 2012

This week is a sort of Beast Week.  A week ago, I got a chance to visit the Conservator's Center with my awesome fiancee Sarah.  This site helps rehabilitate and care for abandoned animals, mostly predators of the canine and feline nature.  And for a small modest fee you can walk around with a guide who will show you the magnificent animals that call the center home.

To kick things off, we have one of the 4 wolves that the center houses, this one being the alpha female of the pack.  She looks very vicious, a true wolf.  And she kept a firm grip on the pack, taking care of the younger two wolves.  And she is beautiful.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 185 mm

Exposure: 1/500   f/2.8   ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Moss Carpeting

Moss Carpeting

BHUT10D-198

November 19, 2010

Another photo from Bhutan to wrap up the week.  This comes to us from the National Botanical Garden, which is a bit of a misnomer because it was more akin to a National Park than a regular botanical garden.  It had hiking trails, camping spots, and picnic areas.  And the plants were not cultivated or arranged in any manner throughout the park, they were wild.  This area was beautiful; a cloud forest, the whole park was draped in ferns and moss and mushrooms.  And the cloudy day that we visited dampened the sound, so the place was ghostly quiet, and we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.  This stump of a long-forgotten tree was a microcosm of the entire forest, covered in the yellowish lichens and ferns surrounding, feeding off the constant moisture of the air.  Happy Friday, and enjoy.

 

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens: Nikon 105 mm f/2.8

Focal length: 105 mm

Exposure: 1/40   f/11   ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4