Cheetahs Running

In my previous photos of running cheetahs, I used a fast shutter to freeze the action and limit motion blur. Here's Bob in 2023, shot using a shutter speed of 1/2000s. The focus is good, there's no blurring, and we can even see his claws.

In the summer of 2024, I tried for a sense of movement and speed by using a slower shutter, panning with the cheetah, and zooming in further. On June 4, I started with a shutter speed of 1/125s for Dave and Adrienne. I suspected that would be too slow, but it was an experiment and I forged ahead. The shots of Dave were forgettable, with lots of blurry fur and too much distance thanks to only 92mm of zoom.

For Adrienne, I kept the shutter at 1/125 but zoomed to 220mm. Most shots were like this one, with too much blurry cat:

The next frame was a winner. The background and grass have streaks of speed, and her feet and tail are a little blurry with motion, but her head is pretty sharp. All four feet are off the ground and she's looking intently at the lure.

What would happen if I increased a shutter speed to 1/180s? Here's Adrienne again, a week later:

In July, I used a 1/350s shutter to capture this unknown cheetah:

Later in July, two more, also at 1/350s. I again failed to record the names so I could give them proper credit.

Adrienne's Run

After my cheetah run failure last time, I was determined to get some good shots. July 10 began with failure. Last time, a cheetah was introduced and a keeper explained its adaptations for hunting. Then the cheetah ran the course. This time, I was ready to write the name of the demo cheetah when Bob came shooting around the course while I stood with a notebook and a pen in my hands with the camera dangling.

If you like flipbooks like I do, have at it!

Fortunately, this was a twofer and I was ready when Adrienne chased the lure. My preferred spot was not accessible but I was able to stand near it. The course is U-shaped.

Here, she's outward bound.

She begins the turn and kicks up some dust. She also kicked up some grass that's visible against the background rocks in pics 8, 9, and 10.

As Adrienne continues chasing, she wipes out, recovers, and continues home.

Siblings Bob and Adrienne are notable because they are the first cheetahs to be born thanks to in vitro fertilization, and with a surrogate mom.

Columbus June 26

Here are some shots from the same day as the cheetah run that I missed.

The cheetah. She didn't want to give up the lure.

Each of the African lion ladies had a bone.

common ostrich

Aurora, looking like she's asleep.

I'm trying to figure out if reindeer have black skin or their undercoat is black. She's lying in front of a fan.

Wood thrush. It/they (I don't know how many there are in the aviary) sometimes land close to people.

A masked bobwhite calling. It's subspecies of bobwhite quail.

Cheetah Run

 My primary mission at the Columbus Zoo June 26 was to shoot the cheetah run.

[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

I blew it completely. Totally. Indisputably. I was in a great viewing spot. I had good camera settings. As I looked through the viewfinder, I didn't even see the cheetah. Shoulda reviewed my previous experience.

Debbie's Run

My pictures of Bob's run were mostly lousy, but the August 2 morning cheetah run was a two-fer. This time, I zoomed out while Debbie entertained the zoo's guests.

I was in a good spot. The cheetah comes from the left at the back and then turns toward where I was standing.

She cuts inside the lure's path.

I'll have to use a shutter faster than 1/250s to avoid motion blur.

These pictures were taken at 55mm, which is the zoom lens's minimum focal length, and I'm pretty happy with them. Seeing what Debbie was chasing and her path compared to that of the lure are good. I shot Bob at 165mm (the lens goes to 300). Let's see if I'm coordinated enough to start zoomed-in when the cat is farther away and zoom out as it approaches, while keeping it in the frame. It'll take a lot of practice, but digital film is cheap.

Bob's Run

A few weeks ago I was near the watering hole at the Columbus Zoo when the time for the cheetah run approached. I had never seen a cheetah run, so I decided to stick around and take some excellent pictures. The cheetah went by as I stood there trying to choose appropriate camera settings.

August 2 I was ready, although I had almost never shot moving animals, let alone fast ones.

Bob's not in focus, but at least I got all of him.

Close to being a fine shot.

I could claim I was trying for his feet go see which are on the ground, if any. That would be a false claim.

See ya, Bob!