Grinding the Grits!
If you're a herbivore your biggest challenge in life usually isn't finding food - it's digesting it! Bighorn Sheep, for example, are often surrounded by grasses and other browse that they feed on. But to ingest and digest that food and extract calories from it, they need a whole passel of adaptations. Some of those adaptations contribute to the ability of the sheep to grind up that fibrous food. Broad molar teeth help here, but so does a "loose" jaw that allows for a nearly lateral movement of the lower jaw over the upper jaw, and contributes to the grinding of the food. Kinda funny to watch, but pretty effective (and essential) for the sheep!
I'm pleased to announce that the Beaty Museum of Biodiversity in Vancouver, Canada will be hosting an exhibition of my photographs from May 17 through to July 22, 2012. The themed exhibition is entitled "Feast" and focuses on predator-prey relationships in the natural world. A teaser from the coming press release...(they wrote this, not me!!):
"To eat or be eaten? Through stunning photographs, internationally acclaimed nature photographer Brad Hill presents an intimate look at animals feasting in the wild. Whether in the air, on land, or in water, Brad addresses the challenge of photographing wild and unpredictable animals at one of their most fundamental behaviours."
The exhibition will feature the unveiling of a number of new Limited Edition Prints that I've just released.
So...if you're in planning on being in the Vancouver area from May to July I can think of at least ONE thing for you to do!
More information about the exhibit can be found
right here on the Beaty Museum's website or you could just
download this PDF.
Subject: Bighorn (
Ovis canadensis) ewe grinding up some food!
Location: Radium, BC, Canada
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikkor 600mm f4 VRII lens. Tripod mounted on Gitzo 1348 carbon fiber tripod with Wimberley Head. VR on an in "Normal" mode
Exposure: 1/400ss @ f8; ISO 400. -0.33 stop compensation from matrix-metered exposure setting.
Crop: Minor - this is about 90% of original image
As almost always, more info about this image (including processing details) can be found right here:
http://www.naturalart.ca/galleries/latest/.
Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!
Cheers...thanks for looking...
Brad
Comments
5 commentsI really like this image. There is something about it that reminds me of my Aunt Gert. I think it’s a resemblance in the eyes. (Aunt Gert was my Aunt by marriage, so not a real blood relative.)
Another awesome capture Brad. Congratulations on the upcoming exhibition.
Best
Pat
Love the chewing mouth and the clear eyes. Would love to be able to visit the exhibit, good luck with that!