Reflecting Muskrat

Gallery: WildlifePosted April 25, 2010101 views6 comments

The other day I stopped to photograph a rainbow where I had spotted the previous muskrat post. There is a boardwalk that goes over a wet marsh and a mosquito ditch crosses below it. I found 3 muskrats in the ditch (including a pair that were mating) and had a blast photographing them. The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds, and this represents when all the elements came together. The only regret I have is not having my TC on (which I had taken off when it wasn't as bright to get a good SS) but now I know where to find them.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 HH from boardwalk
f/4
1/1000s
ISO 640
+.33 EC (forgot to change from cloudy setting)

Cropped to about 65%, sharpened the muskrat, lowered exposure 1/2 stop

- Luke

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Peter Vaudry on April 25, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Nice shot Luke. These guys are small and difficult to get close to. Especially when they are out of the water. You have certainly captured the environment muskrats are found in.

Registered on March 5, 2010, 12 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 25, 2010 at 5:20 PM

Nice light and I like the reflection.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on April 25, 2010 at 10:51 PM

Good job getting him in the clear, Luke. My only suggestion other than perhaps have the converter, is to move him a little out of center. I like the reflection and ripples of the water's surface.

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

Comment posted by Brad Hill on April 26, 2010 at 9:34 AM

Hey Luke,

Interesting shot. And, an interesting cropping challenge! My thinking is that a good portion of the reflection isn't adding too much to the image and is driving a crop that is a little sub-optimal. I think losing about 1/3 of the water on the bottom (and possibly shifting the muskrat to the right a little) would produce a more compelling image. At present the image does feel a little too "dead-centred" for my taste. Just my 2 cents worth...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 26, 2010 at 11:52 AM

My thoughts on croppin this were to keep it centered as I thought the blades of spartina that were coming up on either side made for a symetrical composition but the suggestions are well taken. I hope to avoid cropping issues by having the full 500 when I see them next.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 27, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Luke, I thnk Brad makes a good point on the comp, but I also think you did a good job with this. These guys are not easy. For some reason, I find them hard to photograph. Both from a comp perspective becaue they are half in the water most of the time (or in the grass) and the eye is very difficult to get sharp surrounded by all that fur. I think you did a fine job with this.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments