2010: Behaviour: Mammals - Highly Commended
Jürgen Ross (Germany)
A carcass-eye view
Fast, tall and with a kick that could shatter a lion's skull, adult giraffes usually have little to fear from predators. But in South Africa's Kruger National Park, one pride of lions has developed a shrewd hunting strategy. Jürgen explains: 'They pick out a giraffe and chase it towards a tarmac road. The giraffe struggles to run on the smooth surface, stumbles and falls.' It's a high-reward technique - a single giraffe feeds the lions for several days, as this one did. Here, a feeding lioness is framed by the carcass, through which she also keeps watch on the photographer.
Nikon D700 + 600mm f4 lens; 1/320 sec at f4.5; ISO 500; beanbag.
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Adult awards The thoughtful baboon Adrian Bailey
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Adult awards Lion and his little nipper Andrew Schoeman
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Adult awards Catch of the day Jordan Calame
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