p.56 #1 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Cats and dogs in the last 7 days...
Photographer notes... with frustrations included...
I've spent a lot of time photographing the smaller predators of North America (otters, foxes, bobcats) and some large ones like bears. Sometimes the photography is easy because the animal is large and doing its own thing, and sometimes the photography is very very hard. I say hard because it requires patience, a keen eye, a stealthy demeanor, and the capacity to hike with gear through brambles, grasses, hills, &/or long distances. As a subject, it can be rewarding to photography bobcats, but the species is very wary, blends in with its environment, and specializes in "avoidance." They are not top predators and like cheetahs often have their successful hunts spoiled by larger and more powerful animals that steal their prey. Bobcats often lose their prized gophers to coyotes, hawks, and owls that are looking to let somebody else do the work.
So, when one finds a bobcat in the field, it is exciting. I've shared a number of bobcat images in the past, but this one represents both a success and a frustration. I watched it hunt the field for about 45 minutes before finally making a safety shot. I then stayed low behind brush, walked away from the cat and parallel to its path so I could photograph it walking towards me in good light. This type of slow and methodical tracking is hard when carrying gear and with my 60 year-old frame. I positioned myself perfectly when the cat decided to walk and approach what was a relatively open field. The first cat shot here is that moment when it paused and was watching a gopher hole... it was at that point that someone in a vehicle saw me 20 meters from the road and yelled "Watcha got There?"... and here is the challenge of being an ethical and hard working nature photographer. Over an hour's effort was lost, as the cat crouched down. The "cat-crasher" in the car proceeded to stomp into pasture with no regard for me or the animal. The cat crouched down (picture #2) and then scampered off into the wilderness...
p.56 #11 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
This thread has slipped into anonymity, so I'm sharing a few from last week to bump it back to page one...
Two owl chicks and egrets in overcast light. I added a bit of a "glow" to the egrets to soften the details a touch...
p.56 #14 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
Been a while since I took the 400TC out so decided today was a good day. All images from this morning and all are Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Nice work George...
Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
p.56 #15 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
OwlsEyes wrote:
Nice work George...
Even though I now have good access to the equally beautiful Anna's and Allen's HBs... I miss the little Ruby-throats that I used to photograph in MN.
cheers,
Thank you Bruce!! Love these little guys but this is the only breed we get around here that I know of anyway!
p.56 #16 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
George DeCamp wrote:
Thank you Bruce!! Love these little guys but this is the only breed we get around here that I know of anyway!
I believe ruby-throats are the most common humingbird in the US, and definitely the one seen most throughout the midwest and east. The further south you go in the west, the greater the hummingbird diversity. We see the two species I mentioned along the central coast.
p.56 #17 · Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I found a nice flock of elegant terns fishing at low tide. This image was taken as storm clouds approached. It is of a parent feeding a fledgling... I suspect the parent is wishing that this one was ready to take care of itself.
