Bison in Snow

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 2, 2011429 views5 comments

Weather here in Ottawa has been unseasonably warm and all of our snow is now gone, leaving nothing but grey skies, mud and muck so I spent some time going through some photos from a winter trip to Yellowstone in 2008 where there was plenty of snow. Bison in snow are one of the most difficult subjects but I've always loved the way the snow clings to their coats and they way they just hunker down and endure the conditions so I keep trying.

Wishing everyone a happy New Year and great shooting in 2011. Cheers!

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 2, 2011 at 11:40 PM

I do love that clinging snow. These guys always look down in the mouth to me. Nice exposure on the white snow and dark bison.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 3, 2011 at 9:22 AM

Hi Joe,

That's certainly a wintery scene! I agree with Sally that your exposure looks spot on (and other techs appear good too). On the personal preference side, I think I'd prefer if this was shot from a little lower angle (tho' I recognize that this may not have been possible given the constraints you were likely under) and I do miss seeing the eyes...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this one...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 4, 2011 at 12:30 PM

I really like pics. of Bison in the snow. This is a good one. They are such survivors.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 4, 2011 at 4:24 PM

I notice the eyes are indeed visible, but somewhat lost in the detail of his snowy face. A lower perspective would have helped to make them more evident.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on January 5, 2011 at 11:00 PM

Thanks folks! I would definitely have loved to get a lower perspective but there's no way I was going to kneel down for this guy as this was one of the only times he lifted his head as high as it was. Most of the time his face was buried in the snow munching on grass.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments