Still no fawns.....

gluwater

but I found their dads. Now I am not a hunter but I know some that would have been drooling today if they were with me. I got to the prarie and right as I pulled up so did a minivan full of yelling, screaming, running kids. Now I really can't be angry with them because they have just as much right to be there as I do but man were they loud. Luckily they only stayed for a short time and I went to another part of the prarie then they did. At first I thought they had scared away everything within a mile but then I spotted antlers. Then more antlers, and even more antlers. I counted at least 6 bucks, being led by the most skittish of them all but also the largest of them all. I didn't get as close to him as I would have liked but he was between a 12 and 14 pointer. It was really a sight to see. But as I got closer he went further away. It also seemed like the better the light was the smaller the bucks were. But I am happy with what I got. Enough of my rambling, here are the pics.

Master of his domain.


Which of these two do you like better? The first one has a better composition to me. The second has better light but that darn plant is right in his side.




And as the light was at it's peak only this small guy was hanging around.


So the bucks moved on and I put my macro lens on and the flash on. My attention was on the plants around me when I heard a branch break behind me. I turned around and standing not 15 feet from me was a doe staring right at me. I snapped a couple shots and she casually walked on by like I wasn't even there.

100mm f/2.8 Macro with 580 EX no croping.

dallas

I'm certainly glad that a car load of kids arrived instead of hunters. Excellent photos Nick, very well exposed, and composed...:D . I like # 2 best.

saurora

Well, who can pick just one???? These are great, Nick!!! The first one is special just because there are 3 of them and the lighting is so pretty. Also, has the buck with the large rack. But the face on #2 is so sweet! You must have been really excited, I sure would have been! Great job! I think a fawn is right around the corner....

gluwater

dallas wrote:

I'm certainly glad that a car load of kids arrived instead of hunters. Excellent photos Nick, very well exposed, and composed...:D . I like # 2 best.

Thanks William. I think I like the 2nd the best also, I just wish he was standing in better light.

gluwater

saurora wrote:

Well, who can pick just one???? These are great, Nick!!! The first one is special just because there are 3 of them and the lighting is so pretty. Also, has the buck with the large rack. But the face on #2 is so sweet! You must have been really excited, I sure would have been! Great job! I think a fawn is right around the corner....

Thank you Saurora. In the first shot I was waiting for all three to look up at me but the first one was just too hungry and kept eating the while time:D. It was the first time I have seen so many bucks in one place that I could get close to. It was definitely exciting! Well I'm off to Michigan. See you guys and girls in a couple days.

Dick on Aruba

Great Series Nick! I like the 2nd the most.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.

LCD

Well, if I had to choose one, it would be #2, but they're all great!

Thusie

Really, really nice series, #2 is super!

SirArmstrong

Really like #2. Great lighting and the plant is not an issue...it is natural. You can see the halo of the light on the antler velvet.

Harryb

The second shot is outstanding Nick.

gluwater

Thanks for looking and commenting everyone. Sorry I have not replied earlier but I was in Michigan and just got back. I have a couple from there I'll post in the next couple of days.