weekly Cobra's epic fail for 2015, week 52 A Christmas shoe horn and done :)

Raptor Mike said:
Very nice and fits the theme puuuurfectly. Do cheetahs purr?
I like both shoots but the eyes open one is my preferred.
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Cheers Mike It looks like the "Eyes" have it :D (Sorry)
And yes I believe they are capable of purring too.

blakester said:
Good work Chris(y)
I think I am going to buck the trend here and go for the eyes closed shot.
i particularly like the warm lighting in the shots, eyes closed additionally as the trees in the background are more diffused than the first one.
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Thanks for the feed-back Iain (y)
TBH When shooting animals I prefer to get eye contact, or at least a "full eye" profile.
Hence offering up the second image as a comparison.

However, in this, for the theme, I was trying to portray a relaxed atmosphere,
so, actually I too prefer the eyes shut. :)
 
Pinkbikerbabe said:
Companions - two cracking images, and glad you enjoyed the theme. I am going to vote for the eyes open shot, I agree they look very comfortable in each other's company.
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Thanks Mandy, I appreciate you dropping by a leaving a comment (y)
 
Cobra said:
Cheers Mike It looks like the "Eyes" have it :D (Sorry)
And yes I believe they are capable of purring too.
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We listened to a talk at a zoo years ago about them and if memory serves they don't roar but purr and sort of meow like domestic cats. I can't remember which zoo it was though.
 
Raptor Mike said:
We listened to a talk at a zoo years ago about them and if memory serves they don't roar
but purr and sort of meow like domestic cats. I can't remember which zoo it was though.
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I've also heard them, well the mum anyway, sorta "squeak" , when she had very young cubs,
to call them together / for dinner.
 
Two more lovely shots there! I'm in the eyes closed gang this time, but only because it looks like the cheetah at the back might be smiling......I'm sure its not a good idea, but I'd quite like to have cuddle up with them:woot:
 
ferg007 said:
Two more lovely shots there! I'm in the eyes closed gang this time, but only because it looks like the cheetah at the back might be smiling......I'm sure its not a good idea, but I'd quite like to have cuddle up with them:woot:
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Cheers Ferg. they always smile at me when I turn up BTW :D

As an aside they are the most biddable, and easiest to imprint, of all the "big cats"
And as such, they are used to hunt deer / large game in India and some of the UAE states too, I believe.

Thanks for dropping by (y)
 
susiejb said:
Love your choice for companions ....absolutely spot on for the theme :clap: definitely the eyes open one for me.
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Thanks for you kind comments Susie (y)
 
Hi Chris :)

Quick catch up from me...

Scenic, I'm much preferring the shot without the tree, although if the tree was to the side it would look fine, BUT I actually prefer the night shot with the building, bridge and sky, although I'd like to see the sky a bit darker lower down, I really like the contrast with the starry sky and bright bridge, a good scattering of starbursts too :)

Companions - Ahhhh back at the zoo, now how did we guess that may happen :D

Tough call, I think I'm going for the eyes closed, they look comfortable and at ease together which for me adds to the companionship element, some nice light on them this time :)
 
Dark Knight said:
Hi Chris :)

Quick catch up from me...

Scenic, I'm much preferring the shot without the tree, although if the tree was to the side it would look fine, BUT I actually prefer the night shot with the building, bridge and sky, although I'd like to see the sky a bit darker lower down, I really like the contrast with the starry sky and bright bridge, a good scattering of starbursts too :)

Companions - Ahhhh back at the zoo, now how did we guess that may happen :D

Tough call, I think I'm going for the eyes closed, they look comfortable and at ease together which for me adds to the companionship element, some nice light on them this time :)
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I do have one of the church, shot between the church and tree, so there is quite a bit of separation,
between the two.
I guess on reflection that may have been the one to post.

The low light was shot with no filters or anything, just about a 20 sec. exposure IIRC.
There was quite a lot of "light pollution, I tried to darken down the sky in P/s but it didn't really work so I left it in the end.

Companions, 'twas a fore gone conclusion, I'd get one in before too long :D
(and I'm sure that won't be the last either :D )

Cheers Dean, I appreciate you stopping by and commenting (y)
 
Cobra said:
The low light was shot with no filters or anything, just about a 20 sec. exposure IIRC.
There was quite a lot of "light pollution, I tried to darken down the sky in P/s but it didn't really work so I left it in the end.
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Guessed it would have been hard to try and darken it !!!
 
Either shot both are great. I'm starting to think you live in a zoo and if you do I'm just jealous.
Keep the big cats coming I love them
 
sr1867 said:
Either shot both are great. I'm starting to think you live in a zoo and if you do I'm just jealous.
Keep the big cats coming I love them
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Thanks Simon (y)
I'm only 20 mins away, and being a member its (far too ) easy to drop by :D
 
I'm getting worried about you Chris, you are not fulfilling your expectations of an epic fail :bat:They are 2 cracking shots for the theme, and I prefer the more relaxed look of eyes closed :clap::clap:
 
Bruja said:
I'm getting worried about you Chris, you are not fulfilling your expectations of an epic fail :bat:They are 2 cracking shots for the theme, and I prefer the more relaxed look of eyes closed :clap::clap:
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LOl There is still plenty of time for me to crash and burn :D

Thanks Jill :)
 
Scenic - like 1 with the starbursts and smoothed out water and 3 - its the shadows that make this for me. Close thing but I guess the winner from those would be 1
 
crazylady said:
Scenic - like 1 with the starbursts and smoothed out water and 3 - its the shadows that make this for me. Close thing but I guess the winner from those would be 1
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Thanks Hazel :)
 
Manc Man said:
Scenic
I like the church image with the tree, has something for eveyone.

Companions
2 very good images for companion..
Has to be #2 with eyes open.
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Thanks Darren, (y)
And it just goes to show how opinions vary doesn't it? :D
 
Companions - two lovely shots. I'm in the eyes closed camp - it makes them look so comfortable with each other
 
Dem55 said:
Companions - two lovely shots. I'm in the eyes closed camp - it makes them look so comfortable with each other
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*Sarah* said:
Hi, I'm going for the eyes shut one! It's lovely to see them chilled out enjoying the sun. I also prefer the OOF background on that one as well!
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It must be a girl thing :D
Although I too prefer the eyes shut ;)
Thanks both (y)
 
Scenic - Two very different subjects - both of which have been taken well. #1 is my preference due to there being more to look at and those super starbursts. A minor crit would be that I'd have liked a tad more exposure on the main structure on the left which would be easily sorted in pp. There seems to be a trend at the moment for fine art B&W images of urban scapes and I think this could easily be a candidate.

Companions - My vote also goes to #1 this week. There's a cuteness to the fact they've got their eyes closed. Also the shallower depth of field on the background trees strengthens the main subjects. Great shot.
 
Delta Skies said:
Scenic - Two very different subjects - both of which have been taken well. #1 is my preference due to there being more to look at and those super starbursts. A minor crit would be that I'd have liked a tad more exposure on the main structure on the left which would be easily sorted in pp. There seems to be a trend at the moment for fine art B&W images of urban scapes and I think this could easily be a candidate.
Companions - My vote also goes to #1 this week. There's a cuteness to the fact they've got their eyes closed. Also the shallower depth of field on the background trees strengthens the main subjects. Great shot.
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Well that was quite painless :D

Thanks Peter, Actually that C&C building does lend itself to quite a few processing "types"
Is this more like you had in mind?


CC_0860-2 by Chris-the-falconer, on Flickr
 
Cobra said:
Well that was quite painless :D
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I was quite disappointed actually :D

Cobra said:
Thanks Peter, Actually that C&C building does lend itself to quite a few processing "types"
Is this more like you had in mind?
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Just to get fussy I'd say yes but maybe with the brightness of sky in between the two. What this image has brought out is almost a metallic looking surface at the very bottom of the frame which I quite like.
 
Delta Skies said:
I was quite disappointed actually :D
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:D

Delta Skies said:
Just to get fussy I'd say yes but maybe with the brightness of sky in between the two. What this image has brought out is almost a metallic looking surface at the very bottom of the frame which I quite like.
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Thanks again, & I'll have a little play and see what happens (y)
 
Dark Knight said:
Oooo liking the processing on that Chris - Soooo SHINY :cool:
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Cheers Dean, actually I quite like that too, I have it as a desk top (on a 27 in monitor :D) but thought it may have been a bit radical :D



Dark Knight said:
Oh look... it's even made your Avatar blue, or is that the cold look !!!
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Yep It changes with the seasons, pink for the new year ( and sunburn or whenever I fancy it :D )
Blue coz its friggin' cold at the moment, spring it gets a little colourful ;)
Autumn a bit dull and brown etc :D
 
Cobra said:
.....

Yep It changes with the seasons, pink for the new year ( and sunburn or whenever I fancy it :D )
Blue coz its friggin' cold at the moment, spring it gets a little colourful ;)
Autumn a bit dull and brown etc :D
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Damn... the commitment to the fine detail is outstanding :LOL:
 
Hi Ya

Scenic......
Love the processing on the Old shot.....beautifully bright & shiny....very reminiscent of Ricardoforce's shots ( where's he gone anyway....not seen him on the forum for a while :thinking:

Not overly keen on the church shots...who ever decided to plant tree's right n front of them !

Companions......choices choices....I like the eye's shut image for the relaxed feel & better DOF ( blurring out the tree's)....but then again...I like the ye contact in the 2nd image.....bit of photoshop could solve the problem......:D

Glad you've made the 1st month....only another 11 to go ;)
 
blondie606 said:
Hi Ya
Scenic......
Love the processing on the Old shot.....beautifully bright & shiny....very reminiscent of Ricardoforce's shots ( where's he gone anyway....not seen him on the forum for a while :thinking:
Not overly keen on the church shots...who ever decided to plant tree's right n front of them !
Companions......choices choices....I like the eye's shut image for the relaxed feel & better DOF ( blurring out the tree's)....but then again...I like the ye contact in the 2nd image.....bit of photoshop could solve the problem......:D
Glad you've made the 1st month....only another 11 to go ;)
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LOL thanks Lynne, :D
Actually after a bit of a quiet period, I have a new job starting very soon,
which again will mean me spending a lot of time away from home, so I'm not actually
sure how much further I'll be able to go with the 52's.
I have this weeks lined up as soon as the sun shines though ;)

And yes I know, damned trees sprout up everywhere don't they? :D

The "old one" That shot is actually part of the C&C Valencia,
Which Ricco made famous with his stunner's and actually he was inspiration for trying low light shots there.
He's still about BTW, but doesn't seem to post as prolifically as he used to.
 
I'm well impressed with your fragile image Chris, perfect timing :clap:
I was hoping to capture some break free shots myself last year, but my attempts with 6 Ebay bought, Mandarin eggs failed,
got all the way to 28 days with 2 piping, but failed to break free, I was told helping could kill them, so the prepared coop remains empty.

Your companion shots look great too, #2 being my favourite, stunning !! (y)

Scenic, I think I prefer your last edit, I'm not one for urban really, but that's a very eye catching image. Great Work !!
All the best with new job BTW. (y)
 
Barney Strumble said:
I'm well impressed with your fragile image Chris, perfect timing :clap:
I was hoping to capture some break free shots myself last year, but my attempts with 6 Ebay bought, Mandarin eggs failed,
got all the way to 28 days with 2 piping, but failed to break free, I was told helping could kill them, so the prepared coop remains empty.

Your companion shots look great too, #2 being my favourite, stunning !! (y)

Scenic, I think I prefer your last edit, I'm not one for urban really, but that's a very eye catching image. Great Work !!
All the best with new job BTW. (y)
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Thanks Barney (y)
"helping out" a chick,
it depends very much what stage the chick is at,
with incubators sometimes they can force the chick to "pip" to early.
If the Yolk sac hasn't been absorbed by the chick, it will most certainly die,
never pull a chick from an egg, whatever though.
they can also get trapped by the membrane drying in the air through the "pip" hole.

If it looks distressed about about 12 hours you can gently chip away some of the shell to help it.

There is I'm sure, quite a lot of advice from more knowledgeable people,
on the webby thingy, should you decide to try again. :)
 
Cheers Chris, I think it was the membrane dried out to much, despite regular humidity and temp tests, I was told to allow 3 days before helping, by which time the two piping had given up the will.
I joined the Back yard chickens forum before incubation, but it seems wood duck eggs are not the easy'st, and best left to experienced raisers. so might try something easier this year. (y)
 
So here we have it, (the not so) "Elegant"
There is nothing quite so elegant as a female delicately eating An hors-d'oeuvre.
:D

A bit of background, a young female Hybrid, Gyr x Saker, still in her baby clothes,
and only part trained, hopefully she'll be in the air in a couple of weeks, she has work to do ;)


IMG_6364 by Chris-the-falconer, on Flickr

Maybe a tad more ?


IMG_6383 by Chris-the-falconer, on Flickr
 
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Very nice Chris. I think the first one is not so elegant as the second. Firstly because of the claw sticking out her mouth which although is pretty cool, it's not elegant Secondly because of the perch being messy.

Photographically I really like them. I like the DOF and the detail. The background is nice in the second because it's dark but not completely black. I have two very picky niggles. The perch isnt vertical in the first on and I think the catch light is a little to big in the second (I keep wondering what the building is behind you).

Very nice though, goood stuff!!
 
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