Sparing Sika

Gallery: WildlifePosted February 8, 201255 views3 comments

These two Sika deer were going at it for the better part of the morning that I was at this nature reserve in Seoul. They started at one side of the pond and worked their way around to the other. One thing I learned from this experience is that male Sika deer roll around in mud and whatever to make their coats dirty, which is supposed to attract female Sika, hence the reason their coats look...well...dirty.

Canon EOS 60D
Lens: Sigma DG 120-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 APO OS HSM
Focal Length: 400mm
f8.0
Shutter 1/1000
ISO640

Comments and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on February 8, 2012 at 11:12 AM

Mark, Nice capture of the action, but I would suggest a more sideways shot of these sparring sikas. The angle you have to me does not show their heads enough, specially since it appears their antlers have been removed. I would also like to see this image just a tad brighter. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on February 8, 2012 at 11:48 PM

Interesting to see them fighting without their antlers on

. Great poses here Mark, but I agree with John that a view more from the side both have been an improvement overall.

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 9, 2012 at 11:15 AM

This kind of interaction always makes for interesting captures. A lower perspective would have given a better view of the faces, and as a general princlple, it does not "diminish" the subjects by looking down on them.

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