Winter Lynx

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 6, 2012373 views15 comments

I had an encounter with a lynx on a snowshoe trail recently and was able to walk away with one or two shots that I'm (at least halfway) happy with. It's not a perfect shot by any stretch - the fg snow is unfortunately pretty well blown, I'd like the ears to be in better focus, and it's certainly not the sharpest shot, but I think the eyes have won me over.

As always, comments & suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Chugach State Park, Alaska
Sony A200
Sigma 70-210 @ 210mm
1/1000 sec @ f4
iso 100

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Verdon on April 6, 2012 at 10:56 PM

congrats to great shot, I know it can be just only one experience per life

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on April 6, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Considering it was a quick grab shot, I think you've got something special. Encounters with lynx in the wild are pretty rare as I understand. Certainly the ears and the tufts are classic for this species. As noted the eyes are good and the fur is reasonably sharp. Pose isn't bad either. I like the little lump of snow between the eyes. You've got something in your portfolio that not many others have, so 2 thumbs up for quick reflexes and an image to remember. I'll bet it happened pretty fast and it was over before you had much time to think. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 7, 2012 at 12:13 AM

ANY shot of a wild lynx is special, and you're being too hard on yourself here.
The face is worth it all - and the rest is fine.
Great experience!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 7, 2012 at 2:31 AM

Very cool photo. I particularly like the pose of the lynx and the way you have him/her positioned in this vertical frame. Those eyes are very intense with good clarity. He looks quite relaxed. You might be able to tweak the exposure a little here and there (eg. lower the highlights on the chin). Beautiful photo.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on April 7, 2012 at 12:18 PM

I'd be happy with this too Guy, beautiful looking cat.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on April 7, 2012 at 12:51 PM

You said it all Guy, those eyes makes this a winner!

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on April 7, 2012 at 1:46 PM

I'd be happy with any clear shot like this. Awesome. Those deep golden eyes are special.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 7, 2012 at 5:48 PM

Awesome portrait Guy!!! Especially cool because the encounter must have been so close, knowing that you used a 70-210mm to make this photo. Great posture on this beauty, and those eye's certainly do grab your attention. What a great experience this must have been

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on April 7, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Awesome image, Guy! The pose is just perfect! I really like his stare, and you're right about the eyes helping to make the image. Really nice background, too. I love the comp!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Robbie Knight on April 8, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Thanks for sharing. What a large bodied animal this is and it looks like he may have recently eaten (color around his mouth and spot mid level on the chest)...... Agree with your cmt on the sharpness but overall a very cool capture ! Absolutely love the eyes........

Registered on April 10, 2010, 30 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on April 8, 2012 at 7:48 AM

It has my vote, for the eyes as well. Pretty tough shooting closeups of canines with a small aperture, I've been in that situation plenty of times, but in a situation like this where there's one element that deserves 'the focus' (in this case the eyes), I think one almost has to convince yourself to treat it like a "macro" of sorts. Pity about the snow...but I say you have yourself a worthy keeper...and from what I understand these are rare occasions, so kudos!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on April 10, 2012 at 2:22 PM

That is awesome ! Just seeing one is special, you've come away with a really good image. The warm light on the eyes/nose and the tilted head gives it a soft dreamy feel.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on April 10, 2012 at 5:24 PM

He is (or she is) posing like professional model, also sharpness and composition so nice.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on April 10, 2012 at 9:04 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions everyone, I'll make some adjustments and move this shot from the "maybe" to the "keeper" pile.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Sulik on April 11, 2012 at 3:11 PM

Wow, what an awesome encounter! And the fact that you didn't just bring back a photo of its tail as it ran away, but an intimate portrait is fantastic. Definitely more than a little jealous!

Registered on January 7, 2009, 51 Posts, 165 Comments