A male leopard walks his territory through dry African woodland in the middle of the morning, head low, tail lifted in a loose curl. He did not stop for us. He moved from tree to tree at the same unhurried pace, checking scent marks and pausing only to look ahead, and I had a few seconds as he crossed open ground to frame him from nose to tail.
Leopards are solitary and territorial. A male will hold a range that overlaps the ranges of several females, and he spends a large part of each day walking it: scent-marking trees and bushes, listening and watching for rivals. Seeing one in daylight, out in the open and in no hurry, is the kind of sighting people travel a long way for.
The photograph is about his body in motion. The rosettes run in lines along his flanks and break into solid spots on his legs. One front paw is lifted mid-stride. The white tip of his tail curls over his back like a question mark. The background stays soft and earthy, all dry grass and pale trunks, so nothing pulls the eye away from him.
At large size the detail is the reward: the whiskers, the muscle in his shoulder, the texture of every spot. It suits a living room, study or office, and it is a strong gift for anyone who has been on safari or loves big cats.
THE PRINT
Archival pigment print (giclée) on museum-grade fine art paper. Limited edition of 30. Hand-signed and numbered by John Wiseman and issued with a signed certificate of authenticity.
SIZE
Image size 102 x 68 cm (40 x 27 in). Other sizes are available. Please enquire.
DELIVERY AND FRAMING
Made to order in Sydney, Australia. Shipped unframed, rolled in a protective tube. Custom framing in natural timber, black or white can be added through Bluethumb.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
John Wiseman is an award-winning Australian wildlife and nature photographer with more than 25 years in the field, photographing across six continents. Winner, Science & Nature, International Loupe Awards. Represented by IRID Gallery, Melbourne and Sydney.