Winter Slumber

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 27, 2015177 views12 comments

Hi, it's been a while since I've posted last.

Here is a red fox that I found and photographed when I was in Wyoming recently. It was sleeping in front of this really interesting tree branch. I got lots of shots of him in different sleeping poses. I tried to wait until the tree shadow on the left went away but it was taking too long and the fox got up and walked away before the shadow moved.

But I was glad that I got the fox with one eye opened!

Full Frame

Canon EOS 5D MIII
Canon EF 500mm IS USM II + 1.4xTC
Tripod mounted. Standing in the snow and trying to be quiet

Minor saturation adjustments and sharpening of the fox's eye only.

I am wondering if you think this still works with the shadow.

Thank you very much, from Ashleigh

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 27, 2015 at 4:48 PM

Lovely light and that peeping eye really makes it special, Ashleigh!

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Clinton Bauder on March 27, 2015 at 5:04 PM

I think the lighting is excellent actually. There is plenty of light on the fox and the various shadows give lots of depth and contrast to the image. Love the catchlight on the open eye. I'd be interested in knowing the camera settings. I might wish for a bit more DOF as the branches on the tree just behind the fox are ever so subtly out of focus. I think maybe if it had been possible to get them and the fox sharp it might make a stronger image. Still excellent. Well done.

Clinton

Registered on December 8, 2009, 31 Posts, 231 Comments

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on March 27, 2015 at 5:08 PM

Im sorry I forgot my settings:

ISO 250 | 1/1000s | f/8

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 27, 2015 at 5:56 PM

Lovely colors in the fox and that peeping eye is a special addition. Well done.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on March 27, 2015 at 5:57 PM

Great find. Good lighting and backdrop.
I've been after one all winter behind my house...no shots to show yet

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 27, 2015 at 8:33 PM

Really nice Ashleigh. You handled the whites very well. Love that one eye peeking out.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 28, 2015 at 12:11 AM

You managed to get not only an open eye, but a decent catch light it it as well!! I like your exposure of the snow, showing good crystal detail. It seems you made the best of the situation and it is just too bad he was not as patient as you were in waiting for the shadows to move!

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 28, 2015 at 3:44 AM

Ashleigh,
The Fox is what counts here and it is splendid

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 28, 2015 at 11:31 AM

Ashleigh, I agree that the shadow wasn't ideal, but I'm really glad you picked up on the pattern created by the vertical branches. It makes the shot much more interesting, IMO.

Max

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

Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on March 28, 2015 at 11:59 AM

Wonderfully composed shot, great colors and such a cute open eyed look at the photographer! Love the lines of the branches leading down to the fox. Very nice work.

Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on March 29, 2015 at 1:53 AM

Great setting n beautiful frame!
I may consider toning down the bright parts of tree on the top.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 31, 2015 at 10:20 PM

Wonderful image Ashleigh, the eye is great and those branches hanging down are a nice element too.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments