This image was taken several years ago and is a favorite. Kowiachobbe Game Preserve is located in East Naples Florida and takes in rescue animals. Two years before this shot they took in two cubs that someone had as pets and could no longer handle. Kowiachobbe had enough space and made an enclosure for the two complete with a pond and a lot of native Florida plants. On this visit I was at the enclosure most of the day trying to get something unique and different. This one would hide between plants and wait for his brother to stroll by and then a playful attack.
Editing consisted of a few minor slider adjustments and some cropping. Pretty much as it came out of the camera as I had plenty of time to compose the shots I took.
Canon 7D Mark2, F5.6, 1/500 sec, ISO 640, 400mm, hand held.
6 comments posted
Mike Cohen
Great composition Tom and it would be a favorite for me as well. If this were mine, I might do a bit of dodging and burning to give the tiger's face a bit more depth and bring more attention to the eyes. I might also make all four corners of the image a similar tonality. The upper right and lower left look a bit too dark to me. All nit picks on a wonderful image. Posted: 08/01/2026 17:30:54
Tracy Kaminer
I love predator shots where they are peeking out of the foliage, so nicely done. He's so beautiful and the foliage frames him well. How much did you have to crop in, Tom? Posted: 08/05/2026 14:47:59
Judith Lesnaw
Wonderful artistic composition. I feel I could reach out and pet that lovely face. Posted: 08/08/2026 15:53:46
Polly Krauter
Those are soulful eyes. I'm a member of Oakland zoo in California, they recently brought in a rescue tiger. She is one of five tigers abandoned at a private facility after years of inadequate care. The tigers went to various zoos for care and I heard that one didn't survive. Kudos to all the game preserves and rescue groups. I think your image speaks to the need to rescue mistreated animals. Posted: 08/11/2026 00:02:04
Sharon Prislipsky
A beautiful image, Tom. I will have to keep that place in Naples in mind when I visit Florida again. We have a tiger rescue place in NW Arkansas and I have taken my grandchildren there. But they have three layers of chain link between the guests and the tigers so photos are impossible. I even tried to use the distraction removal in PS which is supposed to deal with things like chain link fences but it made a messy job of it.
I always think green should be desaturated and the luminance should be reduced. I think green is the easiest color for the human eye to see so I feel like I want to make it less obvious. Posted: 08/14/2026 21:10:17
Pamela Hoaglund
A beautiful portrait of this magnificent animal. Your focus on the face is spot on with everything on the face sharp. I love the intensity of the eyes. The framing with the foliage intensifies the glare of the tiger. I agree with Mike about the dark foliage in the two corners. Well done Posted: 08/17/2026 01:44:40
