Bighorn Buds II

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 24, 2014188 views10 comments

Hi all! I've managed to jump back into things on NPN in the Avian gallery of late, but haven't had the opportunity to process much on the mammal end of things. I thought I'd take a stab at an image that's been on my to-do list for...well, way too long. It was always intriguing to me but not quite compelling enough to make it up the priority list.

These guys were grazing along one of the lakes in Waterton Lakes National Park when the younger ram suddenly decided to borrow his neighbour's horn to reach an itch that must have been hard to reach on his own. I barely got my lens trained on them and a shot squeezed off and it was over, but I love the expression on the young guy in particular.

Jenaya, Marlise and I leave tomorrow for a return trip to Florida (business for me, with just enough extra time for a few outings for birds), so hopefully I'll return with some reptile pics to post!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one...please view large version if you have time!

Here's the scoop...

Nikon D7000
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4 IF-ED VR @ 260mm
ISO 1000
1/500sec @ f/5
-0.3EV
monopod

Processing Notes:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minor tweaks to tone, contrast, selective curves, rotation and crop using a combination of Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2 along with PS5

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 24, 2014 at 1:57 PM

Great behavioural shot. Love the look on the younger rams face. Looks like it felt good.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on February 24, 2014 at 2:05 PM

Hey John,

Like I said to Jenaya - nice to see "Team Launstein" back in action - welcome back!

Real interesting shot - and cool to see the younger ram getting creative in finding a way to relieve that itch. All works fine for me on this one (composition, exposure, processing, etc.) with one very small exception - it seems just a tad thin on DoF with the result that the nose of the larger ram just a bit soft. But it's the kind of thing only a very picky photographer on a critiquing forum would notice and wouldn't detract from the appreciation of the image by anyone else!

Enjoy your trip and good luck with those reptiles...cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 24, 2014 at 5:22 PM

I really like the behavior captured here John. At first, my thought was he was trying to get into the portrait and just squeezed his way in the frame. I do agree with Brad's assessment about more DOF would have improved it...but it is still a very good capture. Nice work.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 24, 2014 at 6:30 PM

Hello John

Yes, I have seen both of you participating, recently!

Great interaction, .... Enjoy the Warmer weather. I understand that there are an abundance of Birds as we approach their breeding season!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on February 24, 2014 at 7:21 PM

I think you nailed it John. The young one's expression almost says...yea, just hold still for a minute bud. The even lighting helps to keep all of the shadows open and lets that nice detail show.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on February 24, 2014 at 9:28 PM

Really like the interaction captured ..... nice detail too.

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 25, 2014 at 12:28 AM

Exquisite detail and certainly adequate dof for my taste, John, and I too love the expression on the youngster's face. Reminds me of getting a good backscratch.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on February 25, 2014 at 3:34 AM

Hi, John. Hope you enjoy your trip to Florida. Glad to have you back posting again. I'm sure finally getting settled into your new place is a huge bit of stress out of the way. As usual, I really like this particular image. You seem to have a way with the sheep. My all time favorite of yours is the one of the ram looking down on a ewe and touching noses with her. It really shows an emotional bond between the two. This one isn't quite the same but still shows a bit of interaction between the two that is more than just being in the same place at the same time. Great detail here and a nice palette of colors. But the real element displayed is your ability to press the trigger at just the right time. Fine image.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 25, 2014 at 8:03 PM

Looks good! Nice tight capture of the interaction of these two rams.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 26, 2014 at 4:28 PM

The action might be scratching an itch, but it emotionally feels like the interlocked horns are like interlocked arms...adding a neat sense of camaraderie. I agree with Brad about the nose tip, but I am not sure I would have noticed if I hadn't read his note first!

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