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Kicking Back
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Kicking Back

by Max Waugh

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 30, 2015384 views17 comments
This big boy was anything but relaxed when we saw him in Yellowstone's Hayden Valley last fall. A lot of rolling around in the dirt, scratching and jumping around, even though the peak of the bison rut had already passed. It was a fun spectacle to witness.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS
ISO 400
1/2000th
f/6.3

Max

Comments

17 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 30, 2015 at 3:01 PM
Incredible image - it's so impressive that it looks photoshopped (particularly the thumbnail) which I think is partially due to lighting (bright light and the big shadow). Also, I think freezing the action on such a HUGE animal (in such an unnatural position) makes it looks surreal. Either way - a really cool shot
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 30, 2015 at 5:47 PM
Great action shot. The dirt flying up from his hind legs really adds to the image. It is amazing how agile these huge animals are. If I had any nit it would be a little more room on the right.
Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on January 30, 2015 at 9:18 PM
Wow, now that's an action shot! He looks as though he's fixing to fall over forwards. Just shows how they can move. I agree with Richard, I would like a bit more room on the right, but what a great shot.
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments
Comment posted by Karen Kane on January 30, 2015 at 10:35 PM
Cool Max! Nice action shot. The kicked up dirt adds a nice touch, but at the same time, is small enough that it understates the power these guys have. Neat that he's got his tail up, must have been really agitated - would have been something to watch!
Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on January 31, 2015 at 2:27 AM
Thanks guys. I agree that a bit more room on the right would be nice, but just to the right there was the back of another bison in the frame, so I went for the "cleaner" crop.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by John Neukirch on January 31, 2015 at 7:27 AM
Talk about kicking your heels up! Great action shot of this beast, the detail of the dirt in the air is fantastic. Knowing that there was another animal just off to the right makes your choice of crop perfectly understandable. :toast:
Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 31, 2015 at 9:39 AM
An interesting image of a bison is sometimes difficult to get. They are such plodding , slow moving beasts. This is over the top. Well done.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on January 31, 2015 at 11:38 AM
Hello Max

I think the speed @ 1/2000 was great to capture the subtle details of flying debris and stop action of his other body parts. The thumbnail . looks like he was jumping and looking at him landing.

Thanks for sharing

Bill
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on January 31, 2015 at 1:49 PM
This is great Max I like the flying dirt i think it makes the shot.
Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on January 31, 2015 at 5:46 PM
A way cool catch, Max! It's pretty amazing when something this size decides to "kick up it's heels". Catching the bits of dirt flying behind him is a great addition to a fascinating image.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 31, 2015 at 8:09 PM
What an unusual photograph of a bison :eek:

Awesome capture Max :toast:
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on February 1, 2015 at 12:46 AM
Heavyweight action, Huh!
Jagdeep Rajput :toast:
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 2, 2015 at 12:55 AM
Max,

Absolutely remarkable, an amazing image. :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 2, 2015 at 3:35 PM
Fine timing, Max. My only wish would be to see the balance point of those front feet a little better, but you captured the action well.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on February 2, 2015 at 6:14 PM
This is so cool - love the pose and dirt kicked up, and the backdrop is not too shabby either :razz:
Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments
Comment posted by Josiah Launstein on February 9, 2015 at 3:42 AM
:eek: I love this picture for the awesome action, and I like how you can see all the detail in the bison's coat. The background is really cool, too!
Registered on January 26, 2013, 52 Posts, 126 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 9, 2015 at 3:51 AM
Max,
Congratulations on the "Weekly Pick", thoroughly deserved :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments