Ermine in the Grass

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 10, 2013361 views12 comments

Another image from one of my winter highlights in Yellowstone. It was pretty difficult shooting this little fellow through some trees, hand-held, while worrying about traffic (I was standing by the road). Only a couple images turned out. This one had a different feel to it, with the stalks of grass adding a little color and more tangible surroundings to the frame.

Canon 1DX
Canon 500mm f/4
ISO 800
1/4000th
f/4

By the way, I just published a video compilation from this trip. If you have some time on your hands, you may view it here.

Max

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Elizabeth Arellano on April 10, 2013 at 12:04 PM

The colors are splendid. With the white and the contrast of the grass, excellent.

Registered on February 18, 2008, 35 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 10, 2013 at 12:08 PM

Super, white on white. I agree the stalks of grass add color and sense of place. Great capture in a "hurry up" hand held situation.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on April 10, 2013 at 1:54 PM

Good work Max, you managed to get what colour was possible in a very white environment.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Vijay Raj on April 10, 2013 at 11:13 PM

Very sweet image, I like the placement of the subject, the eyes, nose and whiskers on a pure white setting. The stalks add the right balance to the rest of the frame. The square crop works well here.

Registered on November 22, 2010, 29 Posts, 100 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 11, 2013 at 12:41 AM

Very sweet little subject in a lovely wintery setting. The direct stare is endearing and engaging. Ideally would be nice to have more tonal separation between the snow and the ermine, but you did very well with the tough shooting circumstances.

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

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on April 11, 2013 at 5:01 AM

Great shot Max. I very much agree that the grasses on the right side nicely balance the image. I'm not so crazy about the grasses on the left side though as they're all touching the subject. Depending on how fundamentalist you are about cloning, I would try to remove the grasses on the left, as well as the horizontal one - it will greatly improve the image imho.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on April 11, 2013 at 12:20 PM

Great white on white study Max in what looks like very challenging light. Good job.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on April 11, 2013 at 2:02 PM

Thanks everyone. Marsel, I'm not a "cloner," so I wouldn't remove the grass. However, I agree that it's not ideal. I do prefer the "clean" images I got of this guy without any grass, but this one presented a different look (and honestly, it was one of the sharpest shots I got).

Max

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 11, 2013 at 5:33 PM

Great Catch

I like the curious look of the weasel and the grasses on the right side. Excellent exposure work. An animal I was so hoping to encounter during our trip this year, perhaps we'll be luckier next year.

A Beauty Max!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Don Westbrook on April 11, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Great exposure choices. That face in all the white is just great.

Registered on January 4, 2013, 11 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Lewis on April 24, 2013 at 12:59 PM

Very nice Max, I like the composition as well and don't mind the grasses on the left. I do wish it was easier to make out the shape of the entire ermine, even just barely, but on my monitor I can't resolve its back from the snow. Great shot.

Registered on January 29, 2013, 9 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on April 29, 2013 at 1:50 PM

So gorgeous, I just love these little creatures..yes, it would have been better without the grasses on the left, but I'm not a 'cloner' either so I totally understand your decision. It's still a beauty and I wish it were mine

Grt, Ingrid.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments