NikonGear'23
Images => Nature, Flora, Fauna & Landscapes => Topic started by: Anthony on May 17, 2017, 16:53:27
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The wildebeest in the water was struggling.
"Croc's got it" said our guide.
The other wildebeest continued crossing – the odds of survival had just tipped in their favour.
The crocodile's plan was to tire out the wildebeest, and then to drown it. The wildebeest's only hope of escape was to drag the croc to the shore of the river, where the croc might release its grip.
According to the exif data, the struggle lasted almost 40 minutes. The wildebeest did get free, but, fatally, a long way from the shore. Probably the croc let go of the leg in order to move in for the kill.
The croc sprang, and missed. The exhausted wildebeest turned to face its tormentor. The croc sprang again, and took a death grip. It dragged the wildebeest under the water and, a few seconds later, the struggle was over. The crocodile swam away with its prize.
The rest of the herd finished crossing, and grazed peacefully on the other side.
In the Land Cruiser, we fell silent, even our experienced guide. Watching an animal lose its life after a long struggle arouses complex emotions, perhaps more so when the animal is a mammal and the predator a prehistoric reptile.
I was a long way from the action, so these images are heavily cropped.
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The ending.
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EPIC SERIES!!!!
Holy cow, this is one memorable moment many nature photogs have on their bucket list, what a thrill it must be to witness this in person.
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Complex emotions indeed - even for those of us viewing these images in the safety of our homes. I am glad that you viewed this drama from a safe distance and from behind a long lens.
Never-the-less thank you for sharing these images with us. Their colour and composition almost makes one feel as if we were over there watching the action, as gruesome as it was.
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Look at the size of the croc ! Impressive series
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Anthony, impressive images! Really well done!
You witnessed nature first hand and I understand that it was shocking. I would be shocked too.
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Anthony, this series depicts the unforgiving condition of the wildlife. Great captures. Thanks for sharing.
Look at the size of the croc !
Oh, yeah, it is slightly oversized. ;D
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I remember those crocs all too well, evolution at it's best when it comes to survival.
They are very beautiful up close btw, here's a few from the 2009 NG safari.
Those amazing green killer eyes, totally lack any form of emotion
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3430/3816644155_142a164f0a_o.jpg)
200-400VR on D300
Their leather coat looks amazing in B&W
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4112/4964884613_a7f150a3d5_o.jpg)
200-400VR on D300
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Anthony! Amazing story in images. Impressive.
Jean, that last image is an instant classic.
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another "Wow", what a great experience. More please :)
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Very nicely captured! Nature is rough,,,
A very big Croc!
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Perfect timing - the crocodiles often miss their target - not this time !! Watching predators in action precipitates a lot of thoughts on Nature and Life itself.
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Well done ! Excellent sequence. This is nature. And "Warning - Graohic Images" oh, so American ... 👍🏻😉
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Anthony is a UK citizen ....
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Anthony is a UK citizen ....
Yes, but the warning and the "graphic" comes from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, similar to the "beeps" covering the "dirty words" 😊
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Sometimes being cautious is warranted sometimes it is a restraint one would be better off to lift in the longer run. At NG we leave this to the posting member as long as the stuff presented is adhering to our (common-sense) Site Guidelines., Only very rarely do the Moderators need to step in.
The is an analogy concerning nudity in US vs Europe film, to take an example I just read a long article on. Food for thought no matter what continent, or culture, one belongs to.
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Thank you all for your comments. In my postings from my Tanzania trip I am trying to give an idea of the experience, not just to show portraits of animals.
As for the graphic images warning, I think it is fair, even with adults, to warn if there is something which some may find shocking; or perhaps it is a form of marketing?
Jan Anne's b+w is a very striking image.
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Excellent series!
This really tells the story of nature - it is not about cuddly animals, it is about struggle, and life and death.
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Thank you Anthony, and I apologize for this aside. The latter was probably inspired from an article I read with regard to the "snowflake" generation and the acknowledgement that we were re-entering a new Victorian period.
Please continue to post images 😉
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Thanks, Simone, glad you like them.
MFloyd, no problems, I am probably on your side on the "snowflake" issue! I am glad you like the photos.
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"Croc's got it" said our guide.
Wow. What an astonishing sequence. I've frittered away a fair amount of time taking pix of our south Florida crocodiles, but they're mostly of static subjects. Congrats on recording such a dramatic presentation and thanks for sharing it here.
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shades of Attenborough ! great series captured.
Also like JA's colour crock profile - very sleek and deadly efficient.
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Thanks, keirin and Mongo, I was very fortunate to be there at the right moment.
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What's this about Americans being squeamish? We loved Bonnie and Clyde!
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That's a very dramatic sequence. The crocs I met recently were less ambitious, though plenty threatening up close. I somehow picture this one calling out, "Hey guys, over here...the water's nice."