Sumatran Tiger Portrait - Jalan

A Sumatran Tiger (Jalan) at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. This is one of the three brothers, that I've taken so many pictures of. This fall I've been to the Zoo in DC about 6 or 7 times, and I've spent most of the day there each time. I'd guess at this point I've spent a third, and maybe closer to 1/2 of all that time around the Big Cats (Tigers and Lions).

I've been trying to "Get to know" them as the recording keeps suggesting (you'd know what I mean if you've been to this habitat at the DC Zoo), and have tried to get them to recognize me too, if that's possible. Some of the things I've done include always wearing a hat. Making sounds to them, not loud, but a recognizable low whistle. I've also spent hours there, following them around, making eye contact with them. I spend time with them, with my camera lowered, and not ready to shoot, as if to say it's not just for the pictures, "what's up with you?" or something like that.

I also purposely blinking at them, and I've gotten blinks back, and had them look right at me, like in this shot. I was roughly 30 feet away from him in this shot. I really like these guys, and might actually get to see them up close in the next few weeks :)

The blink thing is something I do with MY cat. I can wink at her and get her to wink back. If she winks first, I wink back ;)

Nikon D70s w/ Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6G.

(DSC_3353)

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    Bill in DC, Cinny Lou Who, wru_scooby_doo, Shootin' the breeze, and 48 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. ZhenPanda (79 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shot.

  3. Wolfy (79 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful cat. Interesting your story of how you are trying to get them familiar with you.

  4. Nikographer [Jon] (79 months ago | reply)

    Thanks everyone. I've updated the description a few times since I originally posted it. I've added more. Here's a link to a video of a wild Sumatran Tiger that was on pbs yesterday. Awesome footage!

  5. Kelsana (79 months ago | reply)

    Interesting Jon. You will have to tell us how it progresses. I just got the lens you mention here and love it. I'm seeing the world through a whole different frame of reference and I'm having no problem with hand shake or blurring at 300mm. thanks for the info.

    Excellent portrait!

  6. Cinny Lou Who (79 months ago | reply)

    This is a stunning picture, with the shadows really giving it a certain "mood". It's something really special to be trying to establish a relationship with them, not just snapping pictures. I think that really comes out in your photographs.

  7. Nikographer [Jon] (79 months ago | reply)

    As an update to my getting to know the cats thing, I just heard yesterday and confirmed today, that these 3 tigers are leaving the DC Zoo this month! I'm so sad. :(

  8. Cinny Lou Who (79 months ago | reply)

    Oh man, what a bummer. :(

  9. Kelsana (79 months ago | reply)

    Oh that really is a bummer. After all the progress you are making.

  10. Rache'spics (79 months ago | reply)

    this is a beautiful portrait along with all of your other animals you must spend so much time at the zoo studying these animals to get such marvelous pictures

  11. Michael Harder (78 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic thing you are doing here. Respect ! Are the tigers gone from DC Zoo ?...I hope not.

  12. Nikographer [Jon] (78 months ago | reply)

    The three brothers are nearly gone to Denver I think, with the last one leaving today. The parents will still be at the DC Zoo (Soy and Rokan) and hopefully they'll have more cubs this year, cross your fingers!

    As an update to this, I've now been to the zoo about 15 times in 2 1/2 months, and think the animals might be recognizing me, or at least responding some. It's pretty cool. This weekend was pretty fun, and the Lion/Lioness seemed to say hi.

  13. Plejades (78 months ago | reply)

    Very impressive photo!

  14. javinated (45 months ago | reply)

    Stunning! I love the light and shadows.

  15. Hani London (45 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Flickr Big Cats, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  16. CeeCeeDotCa (44 months ago | reply)

    This would look so great in our:
    Tigers Thread!
    Hope to see you post with us in both the GROUP and the Thread

  17. hell_rider [Away] (23 months ago | reply)

    Brilliant.

    As your notes explain so very well, getting familiar with your subject always works, whether its a big cat or a run-of-the-mill human.

    Fantastic work.

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