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Mouthful'o'mice
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Mouthful'o'mice

by Luke Ormand

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 25, 2011194 views11 comments
THis was taken on the first day i discovered the 2nd fox den on April 20, 2011. I had been photographing a sleepy youngster when all the sudden the kit stood up and I heard a noise coming from the woods. The father (I had seen the mother when I arrived) had brought back what appears to be 3 mice (counting tails) and after grabbing this shot I left so his young could feed. This was the only time I saw him and it's unfortunate I had those OOF elements.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH lying down
f/8
1/1250s
ISO 640
-.67 EC

Cropped to 81%, sharpened, curves and levels adjustment in CS5 on 27" iMac

- Luke

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on May 26, 2011 at 2:33 PM
In this cast OOF elements don't matter IMHO! This is a very neat image and all attention should go right to the fox! Well done and thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Smith on May 26, 2011 at 7:41 PM
What a superb moment! Eyes fixed...and locked onto you...and the story told by the mouthful and alert pose. Thoroughly enjoy the large size, to soak it all in.
Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 26, 2011 at 8:05 PM
In this case it seems to me that the OOF trees emphasize the notion that we are furtively peering in through the bush and surprising this fox. Very fine capture, Luke.
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on May 27, 2011 at 12:22 AM
Another great capture in wonderful light, and I must commend your sense of judgment in backing off after this single shot to allow the young to feed in peace; in all honesty, I'm not so sure I would have backed off so soon ... I'll keep you and this situation in mind though if/whenever I'm in a similar situation ;^)
Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on May 27, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Great shot Luke! I agree with the others - the OOF elements do not, in my opinion, detract from the image. Great light and I really like the head angle, especially with the dangling tails. :toast:
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 27, 2011 at 7:20 PM
He posed nicely with that mouthful of goodies. I like this one more than the cute pup captures, for its special light and the unusual interest factor of mouse tails!
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Julia Flanagan on May 27, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Interesting look in his eyes Luke. Different than what I've seen in other fox photos. Seems perhaps a little threatening. Glad you mentioned 3 mice because I was trying to figrue out the lines coming out of his mouth. They look like Confuscious whiskers. I presumed the lines were tails but I could only see one set of feet. I think this is a neat shot despite the oof elements. It definitely gives the viewer the sense of place and that one is an on-looker catching a glimpse into the fox's life. I also think the lighting highlighting the fox overcomes the oof fg quite well.
Registered on November 13, 2003, 59 Posts, 986 Comments
Comment posted by Billy Fairburn on May 29, 2011 at 3:17 AM
Great shot Luke - nice sharpness and great behaviour. I actually like the oof branches - they give a nice frame to the scene and give a good sense of environment.

Billy :toast:
Registered on March 3, 2007, 123 Posts, 717 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Wiles on May 31, 2011 at 11:05 AM
What an advantageous moment you encountered - terrific composition! First image I have seen of fox 'bringing home the bacon' so to speak. The lighting on Mr. fox is superb; almost like a strong shaft of sunlight encompassing that small niche he is occupying.

:jump:
Registered on January 22, 2011, 43 Posts, 46 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 31, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Marvelous behavioural image, not to good for the mice though :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on June 1, 2011 at 12:11 AM
Marvelous behavioural image, not to good for the mice though :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments