In a field of sage...

Gallery: WildlifePosted August 28, 20132,119 views6 comments

This pronghorn buck is taking a break from his busy herding of a band of females. His sides were heaving as he allowed my approach for this capture. The breeding season will be in full swing by mid-September.

Normally I would bypass an animal lying down as too static, but here I was drawn to the soft colors of his bed, contrasting with his coat!

D3S, 200-400 @310, 1/200, f14, iso 2500, slight crop

Comments encouraged.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on August 29, 2013 at 12:34 AM

Well, I happen to like so called "static" shots. He might be resting but an eye, an ear. and I'm sure his nostrils are tuned into you. A really nice color palette of almost pastel colors and you got some terrific detail in his coat which give a great feel as to its texture. I'd put it in my portfolio.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 29, 2013 at 12:46 AM

Hey Lon. Love the detail on this pronghorn, I didn't realize they had the little tufts of hair along the neck like a necklace. Beautiful specimen in a lovely relaxed pose. A slightly tighter crop with less dof might have worked well here too, more of a portrait versus the wider view shown here. The yellow flowers at the top right tend to compete a little for my attention.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on August 29, 2013 at 10:16 AM

Gary, the necklace like tufts of hair are not a permanent feature. This is likely some messed up hair caused either by jousting with another buck or the scrape marks of rubbing against brush, which they do as a scent marking behavior. I could post a pic of that activity taken of another buck, just this week.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on August 29, 2013 at 1:52 PM

A very solid portrait Lon with excellent detail. Good choice of DOF here.

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

Comment posted by Butch Lama on August 29, 2013 at 2:49 PM

Love the clarity/details of that fur and nice setting too.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on August 29, 2013 at 5:34 PM

Beautiful image, Lon I really like the way you handle color. The soft delicate color and tone really animate your subjects. I thought the same thing when I viewed your website which was a real treat. Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments