Yellow-Bellied Marmot

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 26, 2013126 views9 comments

Hi everyone! This photo was taken in Yellowstone during our trip last May. I know marmots aren't that exotic, but I think they are very cute and I like how they pop up from behind rocks when you least expect it.

This guy was busy protecting his corner of the rock pile from another marmot, and he stoped long enough for me to get this picture.

Nikon D300
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4 IF-ED with TC-14EII teleconverter
ISO 640
1/1600sec @ f/6.3
-1 EV
handheld
cropped to about 80% of original

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 26, 2013 at 10:05 AM

Hi Marlise: I think this is a wonderful portrait of a Marmot. The inclusion of the rocks is perfect since that where these guys hang out. Nice use of DOF and also the use of the leading line created by the rock he's on to lead the view right to the subject. Very nice image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on January 26, 2013 at 11:48 AM

I agree, great DOF and use of therock to frame the subject. Nice mellow light to have brought out the texture and wide range of fur colors, it is as if there was a soft spotlight illuminating the marmot.

Registered on January 5, 2013, 37 Posts, 261 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 26, 2013 at 10:41 PM

Very nice marmot. the color and detail are just right. I like how it is looking out of the image.

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on January 26, 2013 at 11:05 PM

Very nice Marlise. I like the pose he gave you and the rocks are an excellent platform and BG to show him off. The colors are nice and the detail is impressive. The only thing I might do is to reduce the glare on the rock to the left of the marmot.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 27, 2013 at 8:36 PM

A wonderful photo of a grizzly looking marmot Marlise

I really like this composition including the colorful rocky habitat. The marmot is posing nicely and he's sharply focused.

Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 28, 2013 at 1:40 PM

Very nicely done. I like that the pedestal rock is totally in focus and the nice pose of the marmot. The background rocks do a good job of mirroring his pose.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 30, 2013 at 3:40 AM

Nice one, Mar! You totally nailed this shot in the brief moments he posed for you! Perfect focus, great angle, nice bright expression and great detail and textures in his fur. I really like the lichen-covered rocks as well, and the fact that the face of the rock he posed on is nice and sharp is a HUGE bonus to this image, IMO.

Oh - I love that you can see his claws, too!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 31, 2013 at 7:24 AM

Marlise, nice work here. It's the good habits we form that allow us to take quick shots and still get good compositions, textures, color and that stand-out effect for our subject, and it's apparent in this image that your habits have been learned well.

Wayne

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on January 31, 2013 at 1:57 PM

Hi Marlise, I think this is a great shot, tack sharp and well composed. I especially like how the rock in the bg roughly parallels and compliments the slope of the marmots back.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments