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robbobert β€” Fiery Eyes

Published: 2007-05-29 07:15:30 +0000 UTC; Views: 1539; Favourites: 60; Downloads: 53
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Description Kinda the "crowning jewel," if you will, of my last trip to the zoo. Not the best shot I've ever takenβ€”that still belongs to [link] in my opinionβ€”but it's up there among my jaguar pics.

I was watching this girl from one window for a while as she paced around. One time she walked by me and headed up a rock slope to a higher area viewable from another window. Generally speaking, I like to stay in one place regardless of where the animal I'm photographing is because they tend to pace the same areas repeatedly and will be back near me before long. So, following that rule, I waited in my spot for her to come back around. However, she stopped up at the top, just behind a bank of rocks, and stared right back through the glass with this stunningly piercing look in her eyes. I was like and moved as quick as I could to get myself, camera tripod and all, set up in the other window to get the shot. Flipping through the shutter speeds, focusing, aiming, and composing all at the same time, all the while thinking in the back of my mind "come on now, don't you move." Kinda funny thinking about it now, but I got the shot off. Actually got 2 or 3 shots before she moved, so I guess I got set up quick enough.
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Comments: 20

Blubirdz [2008-10-27 03:56:41 +0000 UTC]

fierce

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Zoo-photographers [2008-02-09 04:26:33 +0000 UTC]

We are doing a "STRIPES AND SPOTS-animal contest!" read more here: [link]

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fireobsessedteen [2007-11-19 19:40:59 +0000 UTC]

simply gorgeous

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Sooper-Deviant [2007-06-27 00:57:19 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful shot! Was this photo taken last year? Because if it is, then this female cub must have been one of the three born at Akron Zoo (Ohio) and taken to San Antonio as part of the species survival program.

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robbobert In reply to Sooper-Deviant [2007-06-28 20:07:38 +0000 UTC]

Nope, I think this was taken in early May. Both of the jaguars have been at the zoo for about a year though, so it's possible they were born at the Akron Zoo. I know the San Antonio Zoo is very actively involved in the Species Survival Plan for many of the animals in the zoo (from jaguars, snow leopards, and tigers to spectacled bears and the ungulates), so it's very possible. Glad you like the shot.

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IfLooksCouldKill [2007-06-01 22:13:43 +0000 UTC]

Beautifully captured!

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hopeful-intentions [2007-05-31 21:47:42 +0000 UTC]

great shot...he looks like he wants to eat me XD

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shiverz [2007-05-30 22:40:54 +0000 UTC]

This photograph is gorgeous, definately magazine worthy.

I love the deep stare big cats have. The lighting is awesome in this piece, especially on the whiskers.

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shiverz In reply to shiverz [2007-05-31 22:02:47 +0000 UTC]

....The Fossa photo is SO good.

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robbobert In reply to shiverz [2007-05-31 08:33:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. Oddly, I could almost picture this being in a magazine. Certain areas of the zoo seem to get very interesting lighting at certain points of the day ([link] being another such case), and I definitely think I caught this one at just the right time. Bright light on dark backgrounds makes for cool photos.

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Serenity07 [2007-05-30 19:44:21 +0000 UTC]

I think big cats are wonderful..

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Zsantz [2007-05-29 15:42:32 +0000 UTC]

Magnificent and very fortunate for you.

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robbobert In reply to Zsantz [2007-05-31 08:37:40 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. Every once in a while I just manage to be in the [almost] right place at the right time, and it really pays off.

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Kumlay [2007-05-29 14:48:38 +0000 UTC]

Great job! I'm glad you were able to move quick enough cause this is simply stunning.

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robbobert In reply to Kumlay [2007-05-31 08:39:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks. Fortune was smiling on me that day though - I can't tell you how many times I've had similar things happen where the animal moved right as I got ready to shoot. Feels good to finally get one on film in time.

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TheFireTigress [2007-05-29 12:31:51 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful, you don't often see animals look right at you, they're usually looking off at something more interesting then some person with a camera. I love how everything is unfocused except her face, really makes it pop. Really nice, crowning jewel indeed.

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robbobert In reply to TheFireTigress [2007-05-31 08:44:38 +0000 UTC]

Yep, a lot of times I actually prefer to have the animal not looking straight into the camera, but every once in a while you just get that piercing, unnerving stare from the animal, and having them looking into the camera just makes the image pop, like you said. Works for me. Glad you like it too.

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91stang [2007-05-29 12:04:05 +0000 UTC]

awesome!

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kat-najera [2007-05-29 08:28:49 +0000 UTC]

Absolutely stunning! A pose like this belongs on a magazine!

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robbobert In reply to kat-najera [2007-05-31 08:45:58 +0000 UTC]

I can kinda see the magazine thing going on here (shows how humble I am ) Glad you like it.

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