Cheetah on the Watch

A cheetah stands alert in the grass at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., gazing intently across its surroundings. The side profile highlights the cat’s lean, athletic build, long tail, distinctive spotted coat, and dark facial markings—adaptations synonymous with the world’s fastest land animal. Photographed at 300mm, the softly blurred background helps isolate the cheetah and draw attention to its graceful form and watchful posture. #EngelPhotography #Cheetah #Acinonyx #BigCats #AnimalPortrait #WildlifePhotography #AnimalPhotography #SmithsonianNationalZoo #WashingtonDC #NaturePhotography #CheetahPhotography #NikonPhotography

Photographer James Engel

Date & Time Monday, March 4th, 2013 at 2:59 AM America/New_York

Focal Length 300mm

Shutter Speed 1/125 sec

Aperture ƒ/8

ISO 125

Location North America, The United States of America, District of Columbia, Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Animals Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Acinonyx, Cheetah

Keywords Animal Portrait, Landscapes & Nature, Photography Effects, Photography Genres, Photography Techniques, Wildlife Photography

Camera Nikon D7000

Lens Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF

Approximate Map Location

Latitude: 38.93112573
Longitude: -77.05324262
Altitude: 68.0 meters / 223.1 feet