Bighorn Ram at Rest

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 22, 2012151 views6 comments

Hi again! Here's another from my more inentional pursuit of getting some decent bighorn ram images this year.

My 7yr old son (and wildlife photographer in the making) and I hiked up to a group of bighorn rams a couple of weeks ago, and this patriarch quickly became my primary target. There were four VERY solid, mature rams in the group--in fact only a few of the group were younger rams--but this guy just had too much mass to ignore. Wouldn't you know it, he was never in the right place for us...always behind other rams or looking away or behind a tree, etc. He finally bedded down and compelled me to hike down below the group, over, and back up in a huge half-circle so I could possibly get an unobstructed angle. I may be addicted to sheep photography, but it often means some serious work!

Once I got into position, it still took me nearly 10 minutes to find an angle that allowed a (mostly) clear view of this beautiful animal through foreground vegation and surrounding rams.

This is one of my favourites of him...maybe because he only looked AT me once in 30 minutes and I was so happy I captured the moment. I like getting images of animals NOT interracting with the photographer more, but because he wasn't even giving me the choice, this one became more of a prize.

Never satisfied, are we?

This is nearly full-frame, with a slight crop from the right and bottom for better comp and to eliminate some distracting elements.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one...I need some objectivity!

Nikon D7000
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4 IF-ED VR @ 290mm
ISO 640
1/160sec @ f/5.6
-0.3EV to control highlight on top of muzzle
monopod mounted

PS If you like bighorns, please view larger...it's much nicer big! :)

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 22, 2012 at 4:46 PM

A regal pose and a royal presence displayed by this patriarch of the mountains. Your determination to get the right angle for the shot paid off. Not much else to say other than you've adhered to your continual high standards. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on May 22, 2012 at 4:50 PM

Wow! Love this image! Definitely one of my favourite bighorn images you've taken. I like the ram in the background, I think it adds to the image. One of my favourite things in the image, and you may find this surprising, is the parts of his horn that have chipped off! I honestly think it adds a lot to the image, as it really gives him some character. It also shows that he has been in some pretty tough battles, which wouldn't surprise me with those monster sized horns! Seriously, look at the thickness of those horns; they are massive! I hope we get to see this guy again, and boy do I hope it's soon!

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

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on May 22, 2012 at 8:29 PM

Great shot! The chipped horns with all that mass tell the story! Thanks for going to allthat hard work!

Jack

Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 23, 2012 at 1:47 AM

He's as majestic as they come. I like the head-on and alert stare you captured, and your right about the big one it's awesome. Sweet Portrait John

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by James Campbell on May 23, 2012 at 2:27 AM

You definately picked the right guy - those horns are impressive! The image works really well for me - his pose is lovely and the eye contact works well here. The terrain seems challenging, especially once your subject gets a little lower - I mean in terms of finding a clear view, so you did well there. If anything, a more complimentary pose from the background sheep might have added more to this, but overall excellent and well worth the effort

Registered on January 12, 2009, 48 Posts, 377 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on May 24, 2012 at 7:53 AM

This sure looks like a guy you don't wanna mess with; what an impressive horns! The overall scene comes across as a bit busy, but the shallow DOF helps in putting the focus on the ram. The fact that the ram in the BG is not overlapping with your main subject is key and is the difference between being complimentary or distracting. It must be so much fun going out shooting with your kids.

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