Nubbins II | Bighorn Sheep One of the most sure footed animals alive! Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
| 3/04/2015 | Bighorn Sheep |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V1 with a FT-1 Adapter and an AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
| Exposure | 195mm (526mm) f/5.6 1/500s -0.33ev 100iso |
The Moment After the Click | Young Bighorn Sheep This young Bighorn Sheep came up behind me on a ridge while I was trying to capture a few images of a large ram just over the next hill in the Badlands NP. Young Bighorn Sheep are called lambs. This guy seemed too big to be called a lamb. Like most kids, he was curious. Today, he seemed to be curious about me. He kept edging his way closer and closer to me. As he came closer, I was able to capture a few nice images. Clicks! He blocked my way back off the cliff for about a half hour. He just stood there. The cliff was a couple hundred feet down on all sides so I had to wait and enjoy the view of sunrise over the Badlands. Finally, he retreated. For the whole story with all images, see The Moment After the Click | a 7 Image Story.
The Moment After the Click | a 7 Image Story When capturing wildlife images even with a pleasant background in nice light, it’s sometimes hard to know which images will be the best. The camera may be set for perfect exposure, but perfect focus may be much harder. Wildlife moves. What’s in focus one moment might not be in focus the next moment. Even in focus, their eyes might blink or wings might flutter unexpectedly. Several images are routinely required to get a few keepers. Clicks! Finally, you know you have an image or two that will tell the story. And, hopefully, you have not disturbed the wildlife. Now what? It’s time to retreat and review those images. Finally, you’ve calmed down. The calm after the quest; the moment after the click. Each of these images has its own back story on my journey.
White-tailed Deer The White-tailed Deer was walking through the woods of northern Michigan on an early spring day in late afternoon. As it walked, it would stop to look around. It spotted me even though I was using my vehicle as a bind. Then, it stood for a very long time looking at me while continually scouting the area. With all the light brown background, it was hard to know if any of my clicks were good. The trees and branches would move due to the wind. Either a branch was in the way or the deer blinked or suddenly moved. Finally, it stopped, looked, and Clicks! The deer then turned a walked away. After looking at the images in post processing, I realized only the last couple of clicks were keepers.
Common Loon At Ox Bow Bend near the Grand Tetons, clear early morning light, calm winds, and the flat waters of the Snake River helped make this image special. The long 400mm lens also helped. Even though, I had to wait quite a while for this Loon to swim closer to me as I waited at river’s edge. The river was quiet as the Loon made its way up river towards me. Although I was partially hidden behind a mound of dirt, it probably knew I was there. It did not seem to mind and almost seemed to give me a few poses. Clicks! After the clicks, I just sat there and watched as the Loon swam peaceful by.
American Bison Late April in Yellowstone NP is time for babies; American Bison babies. In this field, several Bison gave birth this afternoon. This baby Bison, called a Red Dog, is only a few minutes old while taking its first tentative steps. Mom attend to her baby and cleans it until it walks reasonably well. Clicks! Even though this was a long telephoto shoot on a windy day, this image turned out okay in post.
Raccoon This Raccoon image, captured at Everglades NP, is clearly the nicest raccoon image I have ever captured. Wild Everglade raccoons greeted our air boat as we docked on a remote island. These guys roamed around an old native American house site which is still regularly visited. They kept their distance but clearly were not afraid of us. On several occasions, they stopped which gave us an opportunity to captured several images. Clicks! The easy to carry Nikon 1 V1 and the 70-300mm lens allowed me to capture a nice image while not disturbing the raccoons. The raccoons watched as we boarded the air boat to depart.
Young Bighorn Sheep This young Bighorn Sheep came up behind me on a ridge while I was trying to capture a few images of a large ram just over the next hill in the Badlands NP. Young Bighorn Sheep are called lambs. This guy seemed too big to be called a lamb. Like most kids, he was curious. Today, he seemed to be curious about me. He kept edging his way closer and closer to me. As he came closer, I was able to capture a few nice images. Clicks! He blocked my way back off the cliff for about a half hour. He just stood there. The cliff was a couple hundred feet down on all sides so I had to wait and enjoy the view of sunrise over the Badlands. Finally, he retreated.
Cooper’s Hawk Sometimes you go to the image, sometimes the image comes to you, and sometimes the image just happens. Such was the case with this immature Cooper’s Hawk image. Also, with the leaves off the trees, it’s a bit easier to see wildlife. My walkabout along one of my favorite paths had been uneventful, which is often the case during the late fall months before winter really comes to northern Illinois. The trail winds around a small stream with many small hills up the banks. As I came up a hill, just within sight over the top of the hill, sat the immature Cooper’s Hawk. I quickly knelt down on one knee, out of the hawk’s sight. The trail parallels the stream and the tree where the hawk was perched. So, I made ready the camera and proceeded slowly along the trail. When the hawk noticed me, I stopped and backed away. Clicks!. Luckily, the light was nice. The hawk didn’t move. It had to be accustomed to people walking the trail. I’m glad to not have disturbed it. Although the Cooper’s Hawk is smaller than the Red-tailed Hawk, their sleek build and smooth plumage give them a more refined look.
American Alligator Meet the American Alligator up close and personal; eyeball to eyeball at Everglades NP. American Alligators are black; all black. Yes, I was close, but not too close, lying on my belly to capture this image. The 70-300mm set at 70mm is still 189mm after the Nikon 1 V1 crop factor. Yes, that’s still close. Clicks! After several clicks, I noticed several gators beginning to move toward me. Although gators generally move rather slowly, they can really move out fast. They were gathering on three sides around me. Time to go look at my images later in post.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category The Moment After the Click.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Wildlife | Bighorn Sheep This Bighorn Sheep image, captured in Badlands NP, really shows how they blend into their habitat. In the fall, Bighorn Sheep carry their full winter coat. They look so majestic in the early morning sun against the mountains. They seem to be more comfortable when they standing on the side of a mountain. Just walking down the road does not appeal to them. Photographing Bighorn Sheep seems much easier than some other wildlife; particularly in the national parks where they are more accustomed to seeing people. Using a vehicle as a blind and safe cover allows you to get very close without disturbing the sheep. Their symmetric lines draw the viewfinder to your eye. Also, see Bighorn Sheep | a 7 Image Story for more information and images.
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are found in western Canada and western United States. Bighorn Sheep are the largest wild sheep in North America. A large ram can weigh over 300 pounds with ewes weighing less than 150 pounds. Rams have large, tightly curled horns weighing up to 30 pounds, while ewes slightly curved, shorter horns. They are well known for their ability to climb high, steep, rocky mountain areas where they can evade predators. Their hooves are hard around the outside and soft on the inside giving them better traction on slippery rocky terrain. Their tan or brown fur with white belly, rump, and muzzle blend into the mountain background.
For the whole story with all images, see Wildlife | a 7 Image Story.
Wildlife | a 7 Image Story Picking seven wildlife images from the thousands in my database was difficult. These images were primarily chosen because they represent some of my best compositions. Like these images, many of my favorite wildlife images come from the Great American Plains and the American West with only a few from the Midwest. My favorite locations to capture wildlife images tend to be Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP, Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, and the Platte River in Nebraska. See more wildlife images in my Wildlife Portfolio.
American Bison This old Bison image, captured in the Solitude of Wind Cave NP, is one of my favorite images. He has such character in his face and head. A mature Bison makes in imposing figure. They stand 5-6 feet tall weighing 1,800 to 2,400 pounds. Bison grow a thin layer of soft fine hair and a thick outer layer of course hair. This old Bison is shedding his thick winter coat making him look very shaggy. In the fall, he’ll grow a new coat. Also, see American Bison | a 7 Image Story for more information and images. The American Bison, also call Bison Bison, is our National Mammal and symbolic of the Great Plains. It’s largest land animal in North America. At one time millions roamed in herds across the grasslands of The Great American Prairie. They can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. Just like much of the Great American Prairie has gone the way of the plow; so most of the Bison have gone. Today, small herds are live in Canada and the USA; mostly in state and national parks.
Raccoon This Raccoon image is clearly the nicest raccoon image I have ever captured and one of my favorite wildlife images. This image was captured at Everglades NP while taking a little time off during a business trip to Florida. Wild Everglade raccoons greeted our air boat as we docked on a remote island. These guys roamed around an old native American house site which is still regularly visited. They seemed thinner than the fat raccoons seen around the farms in Illinois.
Bighorn Sheep This Bighorn Sheep image, captured in Badlands NP, really shows how they blend into their habitat. In the fall, Bighorn Sheep carry their full winter coat. They look so majestic in the early morning sun against the mountains. They seem to be more comfortable when they standing on the side of a mountain. Just walking down the road does not appeal to them. Photographing Bighorn Sheep seems much easier than some other wildlife; particularly in the national parks where they are more accustomed to seeing people. Using a vehicle as a blind and safe cover allows you to get very close without disturbing the sheep. Their symmetric lines draw the viewfinder to your eye. Also, see Bighorn Sheep | a 7 Image Story for more information and images. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are found in western Canada and western United States. Bighorn Sheep are the largest wild sheep in North America.
Bugling Bull Elk Rut season in the Grand Tetons brings out the largest Bull Elk. This one could be heard bugling for miles. It’s such a unique sound of the wild. Elk an be aggressive animals; even dangerous, year-round. Females can be really aggressive in the spring when their babies are born. Males get even more aggressive in the fall during rut. See Elk | a 7 Image Story for more Elk information and images.
Pronghorn Portrait This beautiful Pronghorn roams the Badlands. The image was a simple click out the car window. Sometimes, Pronghorn will pose for the camera. Using a vehicle for a blind also helps to get closer without disturbing the critter. Pronghorn are North America’s fastest land animal. They roam the America West and The Great American Prairie. Pronghorn live in grasslands, brush lands and deserts. They migrate from a summer feeding grounds to a winter feeding grounds. Although they tend to travel in large or small herds, often they graze alone or somewhat apart from the herd. They seem so majestic alone in a field.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Wildlife.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Bighorn Sheep | Lookout Unafraid to lookout over steep mountains covered in snow, this Bighorn Sheep seems intent. For the whole story with all images, see Bighorn Sheep | a 7 Image Story.
Bighorn Sheep | Yellowstone Several herds of Bighorn Sheep roam Yellowstone NP. Actually, this herd is the largest I have ever seen in the park. This image would have been impossible if not for the Nikon 1 with the 2.7 crop factor. For the whole story with all images, see Bighorn Sheep | a 7 Image Story.
Bighorn Sheep | Juvenile Like most kids, this guy was curious. Today, he seemed to be curious about me. He kept edging his way closer and closer to me. After this image was captured, he walked up and onto the same ridge where I was standing. He stood there; blocking my exit from the ridge. I waited a long time for him to leave. For the whole story with all images, see Bighorn Sheep | a 7 Image Story.
