Leopard - Kabini

Posting after a long time. Actually this is the first time I am clicking after my right hand wrist got fractured in January. Myself and Sabyasachi were in Kabini. Luckily had leopard sightings in all safaris except the last one :). During this sighting on the first evening safari, there were 3 kids in the jeep and they were jumping, shouting and playing on the mobile. So we had left all the hopes of sighting anything in that safari. While we were just about to get out to the main road, we saw this leopard resting on the tree. It was 6.15 pm and the light was bad. I had to use ISO 10000 still the shutter speed I was getting was 1/30 and there was lot of movement in the gypsy.

Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM, ISO 10000, f6.3, 1/25, hand held, slight crop from right

Comments and critiques welcome.

Even at 10,000 ISO the image looks fine in this size. I had asked for a different vehicle without other photographers as these days anyone with a long lens feels he knows everything. I have seen so many instances before as well as in this trip where the so called reputed photographers fire away from a distance, even through vegetation without realising that one needs to find the appropriate position to shoot.

This is the first time the other people in the jeep were watching a leopard in the wild. So there was all round excitation and it is not easy to get this sharp. We had some amazing sightings. I will post my leopard shot "frame grab from my C300" later to compare.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Looks good for that ISO. I like the eye contact. A little more space at the bottom would have been great. I am in Kabini this weekend. Hope to get some good sightings! Thanks for sharing.

Lovely sighting.Like the way the leopard has strategically adjusted its body between two branches for maximum comfort.Nice clarity inspite of the high ISO.Thanks for sharing.

Nice image madam.The animal looks so relaxed and comfortable.Many tourists who visit such places do not have the patience to wait and watch.Most want to quickly see a leopard or tiger and get back to their rooms!

Regards

Nice image. Richly patterned coat. Thanks for sharing.SaktiWild

Agree the image looks good for the high ISO and the lightining conditions...nice pose as well. Good to know that you had multiple leopard sightings at kabini.

TFS
Roopak

nice image with that ISO also better eye contact in given conditions. TFS

Relaxed , comfortable and carefree sitting but eyes and ears are showing alert signs for any activity around. Loved it TFS

Nice capture. Agreed with bibhav about space at Bottom. Nice DOF. It is evident from image that you are recovering well, Take care. Thanks for sharing.

wonder what thoughts he is absorbed in as the darkness spread around , what is that it is looking at in the horizon. my eyes kept drawing into it's longish face with intent eyes, and the folds at it's neck. thanks for sharing.

Subhash, I guess he might be thinking, why these humans cant leave us in peace. Gone are the days when we could take a nap without getting disturbed by gypsys driving around and people jumping and clicking for every move we make :).

Thanks all for comments.