Just Us Four

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 17, 2013171 views5 comments

Ralph Kerr's image of a bull and calf reminded me about this one I captured this summer. There is actually a fifth moose just off camera right. When I arrived at the nearby lake there was no evidence of moose until the cow and then bull stood up in some tall willows. I was in heaven when three more juveniles popped up 20 minutes later. The group browsed close together for an hour, with one taking a swim, then these two bedded down.
Cropped to approx. 70%
5DmkII
300mm 2.8 w/1.4 t.c. and monopod
ISO 500
f/7.1 @ 1/1250

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 18, 2013 at 1:02 AM

The light is slightly harsh Brad but great to see a family together like this especially with one one adult interacting with the juvie. A slight decrease in contrast and/or a bit of shadows adjustment might be of benefit. If you have more room at the top I might look at cropping the lower right corner shrubbery out in place of more up there. A beautiful scene just as is too Brad! I'm missing summer allready.

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

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on October 18, 2013 at 3:55 AM

Brad, you have good detail here on that dark fur! I like the two center ones facing each other with the one lying down and the other standing. I am not sure if the other two individuals add much, yet they do add to place them into a herd context. Also do the 4 of them form a sort of diagonal line a cross the frame, which makes for a good visual flow.

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

Comment posted by Gary Reed on October 18, 2013 at 2:04 PM

Brad, now you're just bragging. I'm still after a good moose shot from this fall. I agree with the comment to crop the bottom shrubbery. Why not make it a 16 x 9 and take the top bush off too leaving a more intimate scene with a grassy background. maybe a slight rotation to the right too as this angle gives a weird sense of balance to the standing moose.
Great find of a moose family.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on October 19, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Hi Brad, I think you did well to capture so much detail in harsh lighting. Was the fifth moose cropped out of this shot? If so I wonder what a pano may look like?

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

Comment posted by Brad Clinch on October 20, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I was stuck with rather harsh light, but will try Gary's processing ideas. Rick, unfortunately a pano is out as the fifth moose was cropped as it was partly obscured by a old snag. Thanks again.

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