Twin Peeks

Gallery: WildlifePosted December 7, 2010111 views6 comments

The first little freeze of December came the day after I spotted the one river otter in the snow (previous post) this past weekend. I went back the following day.

Anyway, I didn't expect to see much, until little breaks in the real rough ice and snow began with a tiny head popping thru them each time. Then, all of a sudden the second otter appeared!! I was pumped. I scrambled but only got two shots of them together, this being the best. Really like the closeness of them... ;)

ISO-80 (hmmm), 1/250th and f-4.0. I did some different processing with this, following the Elements guidelines for posting on NPN. Hope it helped, larger posted (ehhh), C&C welcomed.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 7, 2010 at 1:35 PM

I doubt that is a hot tob they are enjoying!!! Just thought I'd try a crop and see how noisy it got.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on December 7, 2010 at 11:14 PM

I think your techs for posting show improvement, Bill. This is a fun capture, I just wish you had a closer vantage point to make them more prominent in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 8, 2010 at 7:33 AM

Thanks Lon. Yes, I agree, as in most of my wildlife/avian shots this year.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on December 8, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Interesting shot Bill, with them breaking through the ice like that. I understand the call for a tighter framing, focusing more on the fun action, yet I also like how you have framed this with the reeds at top and bottom. You did not provide camera and lens details, but as far as I can remember you use a P&S most of the time; perhaps it is time for an equipment upgrade including a longish lens?

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on December 8, 2010 at 10:27 AM

Would like to see these! Like how you got both of them looking up. I agree that a closer vantage point may have helped. Just keep heading out there!

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

Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 8, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Hi Vincent, actually it's been more of the D60 the past 9 months or so, but generally only with a 200mm, but this was indeed a Sony P&S 12X. I really only started attempting to shoot wildlife/birds this year, and let me tell you, it's been PLENTY frustrating with that equipment. I posted a thread in the discussion forum a few months ago titled something like "D90 or bust!"... I'm pretty sure that and a decent lens will come to fruition by early Spring at least.

I do like the wider comp better as well. And the very crusty ice is not helping the clarity as it combines with the noise level.

Thanks Dan, I think they have pretty much set up shop here for the winter (not certain of course), so I'm hoping to get closer!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments