A Unicorn - Not

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 21, 201470 views6 comments

I was out a few mornings ago and got this image of a one antlered buck. Something I've been wanting to get but didn't have a good opportunity before. I'd been watching this guy in heavy veg for a while when he finally decided to move. Of the 2 images I got, this one is the best as the antler is highlighted the best. I, also, like that you can see the place where the missing antler was. It has a gray cap to it. I've seen this spot (the pedicle) as a red spot and assume that one is a fresh drop. About a 50% crop. I had to heavily bring back the highlights on this, add contrast, and a little clarity, vibrance, and temp. Comments and critiques are welcome and appreciated.

Tech Info

Canon EOS 60D with EF 70-200mm f/4L at 200mm
1/250th at f/6.3 and ISO 1600
tripod
Lightroom 5

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 21, 2014 at 11:19 PM

Never seen a buck just after he has shed one of his antlers. They usually shed both very close together. You were lucky to capture this. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 22, 2014 at 8:23 AM

Hello Peter

I guess its there time to shed and start over again soon. Good documentary capture.

bill

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 22, 2014 at 8:36 AM

Hey Peter,

I've seen this a few times but never managed to get a shot of it - nice bit of documentation! Tough light to deal with but you got the shot!

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Stephanie Jenkins on March 22, 2014 at 4:25 PM

Nice shot. You're right... it's great that you can see the pedicle. Very interesting. I would have cropped out the lit vegetation in the upper left. I'm a real novice with this but there's a lot going on behind him. Can the background be blurred a bit to make him stand out more?

Registered on March 8, 2014, 8 Posts, 9 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 23, 2014 at 8:50 AM

Good shot of the remaining antler and where the dropped one was. To me the BG is too busy. A tighter crop would remove the distracting stuff in the ULHC. Also, if you could darken the bright area of grass in front of the deer. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 23, 2014 at 11:32 AM

Super contrasty situation is not friend to the camera. Cool buck encounter, however!

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