Winter Fox

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 27, 2012516 views18 comments

My dad, my younger sister, and I decided to go out in search of wildlife last week. As we were driving I happened to look to the left and spotted something trotting in the snow. I saw it was a fox and got the camera gear ready. Of course he went behind a couple trees once I was ready

. After waiting a few minutes we saw him pop back out and walk straight towards us! I managed to get this image of him looking at us. I did not post the larger version because this is a substantial crop, and the smaller image seems to have turned out better. We did try various different crops, but I liked the looks of this one. I do wish the white at the bottom of the frame (snow bank) wasn't there, but I am still happy that I managed to get a picture and even spotted this guy. Hopefully I can find more fox this winter!

Thanks for looking!

Nikon D300
Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 ED VR with 1.4TC @ 490mm
ISO 400
1/800sec @ f/7.1
Exposure comp +0.3

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Mario Moreno on January 27, 2012 at 2:03 PM

This is an stunning portrait and you have done a great job with the processing. Well done !

Registered on January 24, 2012, 163 Posts, 369 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 27, 2012 at 2:58 PM

Exceptional work - a stunning portrait. Maybe not tack-sharp but still an amazing image.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on January 27, 2012 at 3:05 PM

Thanks, Mario and Sandy! I think the teleconverter took a little of the sharpness out and then the crop doesn't help either, but we did the best we could (my dad helped me on the processing on this one).

I decided to post a second crop to see which version you like better...we really couldn't decide but I liked the original just a little better personally.

Thanks in advance for your comments and "vote!"

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 27, 2012 at 3:07 PM

I think it is a fine portrait. The snow makes a very nice frame and the color of the fox stands out from the white nicely. The focus seems to be on the nose, although the eyes are fairly sharp. Nice stare.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 27, 2012 at 4:22 PM

Beautiful portrait- Like very much the expression of the guy and the vignette effect of the whites- Very well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on January 27, 2012 at 4:52 PM

A fantastic portrait, Jenaya; wonderfully framed by the white backdrop.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Margaret Summers on January 27, 2012 at 6:25 PM

This is a lovely portrait, and the snow around the eye really is cool. I wonder if this would be a candidate for something like glamour glow (Nik color efex pro) since it isn't quite sharp. Give it that moody, hazy film look.

Registered on May 24, 2011, 54 Posts, 99 Comments

Comment posted by Robbie Knight on January 27, 2012 at 6:26 PM

Nice... Definately something to hang on the wall.......

Registered on April 10, 2010, 30 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 27, 2012 at 8:43 PM

This is an awesome portrait Jenaya

The light is perfect for this situation. Personally I really like the out of focus white foreground. I bet this would make an extra-ordinary canvas print.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on January 27, 2012 at 10:47 PM

My vote is for the first image. Although they are both exceptional. Guess I like the extra color saturation which seems more like the real thing to me. Really nice portrait with the intense look. The snow around the eye and little pieces in other places really help make this a caught in the wild photo. The slsight softness to the photo doesn't bother me. Nicely done!

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 28, 2012 at 9:34 AM

Hi Jenaya,

Great expression and the slightly muted colours (presumably overcast) are excellent. The snow on the face adds a very nice touch. I prefer the crop in the original post. Softness is noticeable, but not a major issue (and could be argued it adds to the mood and feeling of the shot). Well done...

Cheers...

Brad

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 28, 2012 at 6:28 PM

Super sweet shot! Could be a little more in focus but really nice nonetheless!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 30, 2012 at 1:55 PM

Nice job, Jenaya. I think the foreground snow makes for a pleasing effect.

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

Comment posted by Tammy Hoover on January 31, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Jenaya,
This is a beautiful picture, it would hang on a wall very nicely.
Thank you for sharing.
Tammy L. Hoover

Registered on October 12, 2011, 5 Posts, 2 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 8, 2012 at 11:17 PM

A most delightful portrait.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on February 26, 2012 at 2:45 PM

Very cute fox and excellent capture. Like a photo in family album.

Thank you very much for sharing.