Mammals of Southern Africa
Female leopard at night
I took this picture in South Luangwa National Park where night drives usually reward you with sightings of predators.
I used the spotlight from a nearby safari car as my sole source of light, to make the light softer. The fact that the beam comes from the side leaves large areas of the picture in complete darkness. I used my 500mm lens on a monopod and my D200 Nikon camera set at 200 ISO. I shot from a safari vehicle where the other people kept very still during the shot!
This female leopard is very relaxed next to cars and I have seen her on several trips.
Date: 13/10/2009
Location: South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Wafwa area, Zambia
Photographer: Arnaud Germain
