Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Buck with Velvet Antlers

We found this buck whitetail deer with his antlers covered in velvet.  He was resting in relatively open hardwoods but the overhead canopy didn't allow much light to penetrate.  After waiting patiently a sunbeam tracked over him for a few minutes and we were able to get this photograph.  The dark forest helps to frame the deer.  Its also nice that he was watching something in the distance and his ears are forward.
400 lens, 1/400 second at f/2.8, ISO 1000.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Duck in Flight; Wings Set

This photograph of a duck in flight was taken earlier this spring.  The drake mallard is descending with his feet down (for air brakes) and wings set as he glides to a landing.  He was coming in fast and a second later he started backpedaling with his wings to slow his speed.  Also, his altitude got low enough that the background trees were behind him and there was no longer good separation.  The low angle of the early morning sun helps to light the underside of his body.
100-400 lens at 400mm, 1/1250 second at f/5.6, ISO 500.