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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty Two: On Safari -- expressing the essence of nature > Spotted hyena, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, 2006
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02-JAN-2006

Spotted hyena, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, 2006

Since it’s virtually impossible to photograph a moving animal at night -- even in a spotlight -- and get a sharp picture, I deliberately used blur to my advantage here. Such implied movement as this can be very expressive. This hyena was in a hurry as it ran in front of our vehicle, and its blurred form makes it seem all the more rushed. In this image, made at a third of a second, not only is the hyena moving, but so is the ground. That’s because I moved the camera in the same direction and speed as the hyena at the moment of exposure. In that way, I could actually define the hyena’s face and the spots, but the ground seems to be flowing under it, and its feet are all but invisible.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
1/3s f/3.6 at 68.8mm iso200 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis24-Aug-2006 22:04
Thanks, Ceci. I had made many hyena pictures, but none of them expressed their nocturnal roving as well as this one. I was very fortunate to get this image -- it was the only one of many that really expressed motion effectively.
I agree -- it has gotten a bad rap because it is a scavenger and lives off the kills of predators, and as you note, by culling the herds of sick and weak members. It does its job well, and along with lion, is the most vocal presence of the African night. Demented giggling or not.
Guest 24-Aug-2006 20:57
This is one of my favorite of your African images, Phil, of the hyena in motion, Unusual because they are hard to see in the dark of night. New research has revealed that these nocturnal canines are not simply scavengers, but powerful and efficient hunters, using teamwork to take down the weak and sick amongst its prey, which keeps herds strong. Your photo has captured the power and presence of a much maligned African animal whose unearthly cries -- a kind of demented giggling -- has given it a bad rap.
Phil Douglis26-Jan-2006 06:40
Thanks, John. I will accept all the luck I can find as a photographer. However, a wise mind once said, "luck is the residue of design." You make your own luck through expanding your chances. This was made with the FZ-30's multiple image option enabled -- I had a number of blurred frames to choose from. And this one worked the best.
John Reed 26-Jan-2006 04:30
This is the shot that reminded me of my "Jellyfish" capture. I love that you captured the Hyena's eye, with all else in motion! Probably takes a little luck, I'd guess, but hey, who's keeping score? Well done, sir.
Phil Douglis24-Jan-2006 22:04
I think you must be thinking of the roaring tiger I photographed in India in 1990. It is athttp://www.pbase.com/pnd1/image/22388831 I made that picture from the back of the elephant. I enjoyed the comparison you draw between that image and this one. This is indeed on our level. At least that tiger looked up to me, but this hyena does not. Ominous is a good phrase for the undertakers of the bush, feasting on decay.
Kal Khogali24-Jan-2006 11:36
Threatening...remids me of your image of the running tiger in one of your other galleries...can't remember where, but this one is much more ominous because it is taken at the same level, not from above. K
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