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Botta's Pocket Gopher?
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Botta's Pocket Gopher?

by Tonia Graves

Gallery: WildlifePosted June 11, 2012135 views5 comments
Nikon D5100 w/ Tamron 28-300VC HH
ISO 400, F6.3, 1/50 sec.
RAW image processed in PSE10; no crop
Location: Tucson, AZ

Hi everyone! I don't normally get to post over here but yesterday I captured this little pocket gopher and just had to share. This was taken right next to a busy hiking trail in the evening. The pocket gopher popped its head out of the hole just as I was walking by and stayed above ground for maybe a minute or two, allowing for a few images. Comments & critiques welcome!

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on June 11, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Don't see photos of this group of mammals very often. Nicely done, it is a bit soft, but for a shot at 1/50 it is fine. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 12, 2012 at 8:13 PM
Nice close up, love those teeth and the special eyebrow decoration. It would be nice to have the nose in focus as well as the eyes, but you're clearly running out of light. Fine job under tough circumstances.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Brad Hill on June 13, 2012 at 8:24 AM
Hi Tonia,

I like the coloration of this beast's coat, and the inclusion of those huge incisors and large claws add a lot to this image. Although it's obvious this shot was captured from quite low, I'm wondering if getting even lower might have worked better?

Cheers and thanks for sharing this...

Brad
Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments
Comment posted by Tonia Graves on June 13, 2012 at 11:49 PM
Thank you everyone for your comments! This little guy/gal popped up out of the ground maybe 6 feet from me as I was walking by. Wish I had more time to change camera settings and get a lower POV but it was only above ground for a short time. (Annoyingly loud hikers gawking at it from behind me weren't helping the situation).
Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 16, 2012 at 6:20 PM
This is one of those images that when you first pull it up you just can't help but:smile:
Nice details and I like the way the gophers head's turned slightly to the side..
Better to see those knarly choppers & cute whiskas too:wink:
Great catch Tonia! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments