Nebraska Bighorn

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 30, 20153,163 views8 comments

I have been trying to get some images of the bighorns at Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area for the last month or more. This morning I spotted a single ram about half way up one of the buttes. I started to move up the butte with some trees between me and him. When I finally got to where I last saw him of course he was gone. Instead of following the direction he would have gone I took another trail around to the other side and climbed to the top from there. When I got to the top he was standing there staring at me. He allowed me to fire off a dozen or so shots before he decided to leave. I wish this had a better back ground, but the sky was covered with a very thin of clouds. That did help defuse the light though. Thanks for your comments and critiques.

Canon 7D
Sigma 120-400
Aperture Priority
Shutter 1/2000
Aperture f5.6
ISO400
171mm
Very little processing in lightroom 4
Cropped some from the left to remove a distracting element and a little off the top.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 30, 2015 at 8:21 PM

Like this one a lot Richard. Good detail in the rams coat and face. Also like how the plant on the right adds a bit of color to the scene and is an indicator of the environment. I would like to see just a bit more on the bottom even though the rams feed are not fully visible. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Genny K. on January 30, 2015 at 9:35 PM

Yup, I like this a lot, too! I don't think the background detracts from this at all. And like John, I like the vegetation being there. I like his stance, and how he's looking directly at you. I think a bit more room at the bottom would help balance it a bit. It's sharp and clean. Overall, spectacular!

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Kane on January 30, 2015 at 10:31 PM

Your work paid off Richard - quite the handsome guy. Agree with the other comments about a touch more room at the bottom. I think the diffuse lighting by slightly overcast sky was a benefit, and the ram stands out nicely for you

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on January 31, 2015 at 7:54 AM

A classic portrait. Well done.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 31, 2015 at 9:38 AM

Very well done. I love the plants on the right. They add a tremendous amount to the image.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 31, 2015 at 11:42 AM

Hello Richard

Good looking specimen. More room would have been great to see some lower vegetation and to its right as well.

Bill

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

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on February 1, 2015 at 1:00 PM

HI beautiful shot on the hill top with a great clean background!

Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 2, 2015 at 3:37 PM

Richard, I like this for the starkness of the composition, with the yucca plant adding line and balance as well as sense of place. Of course some textured sky would have been wonderful, but you have him in a fine pose with the off-set back legs, good eye contact and side lighting.

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