Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Backyard Buck
‹ PreviousWildlife GalleryNext ›

Backyard Buck

by Neil Rossmiller

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 10, 2009161 views8 comments
The reason I moved to the country when I got the chance was the daily encounters with nature like this Buck. This guy was teamed up with a smaller buck pre rut last year. He busted me before I could clear my back yard fence. The crop is about 50% to eliminate fence post and wire.

Canon 20D 400 2.8 1/400th @ f8

Thanks for looking.
Comments always welcomed.

Neil

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on December 10, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Neil, what a place to have to live with these guys close by. I am envious. I like the uniform shape of the antlers and how they sit just above the ears. A nice shot. I guess if I could have it exactly the way I want it, I would prefer more light on the face. A terrific image none-the-less. :toast:
Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments
Comment posted by Don Wagner on December 10, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Hey Neil,
Your exposure is good and your comp. is great. You need to see Utah Outdoors going thru the antlers!

Best afield,
Don
Registered on November 19, 2009, 12 Posts, 21 Comments
Comment posted by JACK NEAL on December 10, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Hi Neil,
Great backyard visitor! Love the way the buck is presented. Very clear and the colors are great. Thanks for sharing.

Jack
Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments
Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on December 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Good shot Neil. He is a good specimen. I like the glint in his eye, that his head is clear of the grasses and the overall autumn feel of this. I might be inclinded to lighten the shadows a tad - but no big deal there.
Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on December 11, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Hi Neil,

Nicely handled - again! Like you I live in a rural area and it's a wonderful privilege. This is sure a nice beast to have in your backyard!

Looks like you had some harsh light here, but it's well-handled. While I see the logic of the comments about lightening up the shadows (and if it were mine I would probably experiment with it myself), I don't find them particularly dark or troublesome. I like the "harmonious" colour palette here and the overall balance of the composition. So chalk this one up as another success!

Cheers...

Brad

PS: Another "life in the woods" anecdote - my dogs kicked up a huge fuss about 9 PM last night. When I went outside this morning I ran into fresh wolf tracks in the snow not more than 15 feet from my front door. I guess the 50 km drive to get to the nearest post office is worth it!
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Nice one Neil. Great exposure control. I have no problems with the shadows on the face and ears (plenty detail there), but the critical thing in such a case is to have one eye well lit, which is exactly what you managed to do. This is also a typical example whereby the missing virtual legs are not an issue at all, whereas with a bit wider view it would be.
Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 11, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Wonderful shot and I think the crop works very well to bring out the details in the buck, well done.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 12, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Nice vert crop and light. Like the surrounding grasses.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments