"Mother & Child Reunion"

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 2, 2014179 views6 comments

Well, not really. Just the mother coming back to the den. Got back from a pilgrimage to Yellowstone a week ago. While I'm not normally a mammal person, it's impossible to resist when you're there.

The hullabaloo around this den made me embarrassed for my hobby, but I'll save that rant for elsewhere. I must admit that I was closer to these animals than would be considered appropriate-their den was right beside the road on the way to our campground, and they happened to be out on it as we drove back to the campsite on our first night. I couldn't resist taking a few images as we passed by and the rest of the paparazzi had packed it in for the night.

7D, 300mm f4 + 1.4 TC, hand held from truck window. f8, 1/250, iso 400, +1/3 exposure compensation, aperture priority. Processed in LR5 & CS6. Cropped to 8x10 aspect ratio. I would have preferred a bit more green on the top, but I didn't have it. Not sure if I should add it or not.

I'd appreciate any comments and criticisms.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on July 3, 2014 at 12:43 AM

It's nice that you got a quick drive-by opportunity, Dennis. It helped you get a family portrait that would have otherwise been tough with so much surrounding grass close to the sett. I spent some time at the den a few weeks back and due to the mother's long forays out into the sage, it was not easy getting photos in anything but midday light when she'd finally return.

I agree with your assessment of wanting more background on top (though I'm not one to add in canvas), but I'm glad to see that you got a very nice view of one of the kits at least.

I hope the rest of the trip was a success.

Max

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 3, 2014 at 9:14 AM

Great title for this and I like the intimate portrait style framing.
The lack of green above the mom doesn't bother me, detail looks great.
Interesting footnote on all the "hullabaloo", I can see why you were embarrassed.. to a point

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Nelson on July 3, 2014 at 4:11 PM

Hi Dennis,
Nice capture. The Badgers are just going about their buisness....looks like mom is giving the youngster an important message. I do wish there was a bit more room above the mothers head. Very nice natural photo.
Guy

Registered on October 12, 2012, 24 Posts, 138 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on July 3, 2014 at 9:05 PM

Dennis,

I like the badger triangle composition and the sharpness........................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 4, 2014 at 11:18 AM

The corner to corner diagonals of the face profiles against the opposite predominant diagonals of the grass stems serve to create a really pleasing compositional tension. I would not add to the top, but I do see that is would be skimpy space-wise for matting and framing.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 4, 2014 at 4:29 PM

Excellent composition, Dennis. Very sweet and intimate. I wouldn't add anything to the top, but I would add enough boder to get it successfully matted, if you are going to frame it and hang it.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

&quot;Mother & Child Reunion&quot;

Comments

"Mother & Child Reunion"