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LevT


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2018-06 (Standard Editing)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1
Location: Etosha National Park, Namibia
Date: Jun 16, 2018
Aperture: 6.3
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/320
Galleries: Nature, Animals
Date Uploaded: Jun 27, 2018

 This image was shot during a magical sunrise safari tour in Etosha National Park in Namibia. It started at about 5:30am when it was cold and pitch-dark (it is winter down there), and we could not see anything around us for a long time. I started quietly cursing myself for deciding to take this guided safari tour and not sleep in and then do a self-driving tour like the day before when we saw plenty of wildlife in broad daylight. But then we finally reached a waterhole, and - BAM! - saw a huge male lion... and all complaints and doubts flew out of the window (there were no windows on this safari jeep anyhow). The sun has not quite risen yet, but we could already see quite well, so we sat quietly and watched in awe (and shot, of course) this magnificent creature as he drank for a long while, and then finally got up and left with grace and gravitas as only true royals can do. At that point we thought the show was over, but our driver/guide knew better. He told us we had to wait, and indeed, in a few more minutes he pointed us in some direction and said another lion was coming. We could not see anything at first, but when I scanned the bush with my 100-400mm “monster” lens (it is not that big but it is 200-800mm full-frame equivalent!), I indeed saw something moving near the horizon. How our guy could see her (it was her, as we learned soon) with his naked eyes I have no idea.... In a few minutes the lioness came closer and we discovered that she was not alone, but with three adorable cubs! Yay! The group slowly made their way right at us (we were parked near the waterhole, remember?). And as on a cue, the sun finally got up above the distant hills and provided a wonderful warm contre-jour lighting. It could not possible get any better than that! I don't know how much time this magical scene lasted, the time stopped for us. I don't know how many photos I took... maybe a thousand? I just know that this is a scene I will never forget.

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 76
Avg (all users): 6.9492
Avg (commenters): 8.4444
Avg (participants): 6.6750
Avg (non-participants): 7.5263
Views since voting: 1736
Views during voting: 112
Votes: 59
Comments: 21
Favorites: 2 (view)

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 12/19/2018 01:51:53 AM
Awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 07/11/2018 11:44:04 AM
Beautiful image on many levels. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 07/09/2018 10:35:44 PM
This is just wonderful! Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-7D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 07/08/2018 10:02:22 PM
Just beautiful Lev.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D
 07/08/2018 08:06:46 PM
Gongrats Lev. You picked a good guide. The shot is pretty good too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/08/2018 01:16:07 PM
Thanks for the story and congrats on this fantastic image! The cub with her mother really is special.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 07/08/2018 01:07:55 PM
Way to go, Lev! Wow!

Congratulations on your ribbon! And, thanks bunches for the back story. Makes it even better for me!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R7
Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount
 07/08/2018 11:26:09 AM
Love the story behind this! Fabulous shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 07/08/2018 08:22:50 AM
many congrats Lev .. what a wonderful photo .. and i'm so glad you got recognized in the challenge with that ribbon .. :)
loved your story btw ... :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA
 07/08/2018 04:20:57 AM
Favourite from this FS. What an fabulous experience. I have found those early morning starts always to be worthwhile. I look forward to seeing more of the thousands you took. This for me was far and away the best in this FS.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7R III
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 07/08/2018 03:58:26 AM
Congratulations on the ribbon, Lev - easily my favourite of the challenge.

Edit to add, thank you for posting the story behind the shot - your awe and excitement adds to the photo.

Message edited by author 2018-07-08 03:59:15.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon Z6II
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
 07/07/2018 01:18:26 PM
Cute and at the same time impressive animals. Great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon Canon 1d x Mark II
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 FG HSM Art
 07/07/2018 09:11:39 AM
Awwwww!! Sweet moment.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7R III
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM
 07/06/2018 06:05:50 PM
Oh my goodness! How delightful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS II USM Lens
 07/06/2018 12:55:56 AM
great moment captured. Rare find.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D
 07/04/2018 12:47:50 PM
Beautiful nature-shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO M.Zuiko Digital ED
 07/03/2018 04:53:28 PM
just to see this scene and be so close would be a magic experience .. to be able to photograph it would take that experience into the stratosphere .. its perfect .. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 07/02/2018 01:31:33 PM
9 from me. Wonderful colors and composition... light... wonderful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Z8
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8
 07/01/2018 01:02:21 PM
That is simply adorable! Would love to see something like that in the wild some day. I like the golden light and long shadows here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 07/01/2018 09:42:51 AM
Voted earlier coming back to comment.

Great capture of a moment shared between a mother and her cub. Love the action and the details seen here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 07/01/2018 04:47:49 AM
If this doesn't get the Blue well you can buy me tissues to stem the tears, this isan absolute wonderful shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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