First Rays

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 28, 20122,689 views15 comments

The streamlined grace of a bull elk, as he lays his head back and begins to stride out always gets my attention. This capture from this morning is mostly about that posture, but also the pastel colors that last only a couple of minutes, just as the late November sun crests the horizon. Within a few more body lengths my frames were mostly all yellow as he crossed right in line with the sun! D3S, 340mm, ISO 2500,f7.1,1/200

Your impressions and suggestions are welcomed. Please check the larger view.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on November 28, 2012 at 4:48 PM

Hello Lon

VERY SWEET !! Congrats on being there & being Prepared!!!:)

The Antlers in their position really Make this Image for me. The Lighting too at his head & nose catch the morning Glow just right.

Beautiful Image... One of your BEST!!

Thanks for sharing.!!!!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 28, 2012 at 11:34 PM

Lon, this is beautiful man. The pose, the low angle, the glint in the eye, the wide open space as a backdrop, but most of all that sweet light!

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

Comment posted by Guy Runco on November 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM

Nice photo Lon - he looks very regal with his antlers thrown back and I like how the pink light's hitting the grass.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on November 29, 2012 at 6:46 AM

I agree with the others- everything looks great technically, and the light and posture are extremely striking! I am very impressed that you got this close to a bull elk (34mm on a full frame!)

But then again I'm just not from that region, so maybe they are more trusting than I thought! Anyhow, great shot!
-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 29, 2012 at 7:36 AM

Great attitude n body language, very nicely done!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 29, 2012 at 10:06 AM

Cam...it was not a placid elk...it was my fat fingers! 34mm should have read 340!

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

Comment posted by Cam Held on November 29, 2012 at 2:18 PM

Haha that makes much more sense! I was thoroughly confused! DOF and angle of view didn't look like a wide angle, but I thought I must just be going crazy haha!
-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on November 29, 2012 at 2:44 PM

What a pose, what soft light, what a shot! Absolutely gorgeous!
Grt, Ingrid.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 29, 2012 at 4:55 PM

When I first looked at this photo I thought it could be an ocean beach scene. "Beautiful Light" and you took full advantage of the breif opportunity you had to capture this image. I really like the pastel tones. Perfect body posture and nice deatil.

Sweet One Lon!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on November 29, 2012 at 8:48 PM

Stunning light and pose Lon. Perfect little catch light in his eye. Very nice!

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on December 3, 2012 at 4:55 PM

this is stunning Lon
love the proud gait, the exquisite light and the marvellous colour palette...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 4, 2012 at 10:04 PM

Super elk photo Lon. He's really got that head back, definitely needs to get somewhere in a hurry. Awesome lighting.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on December 9, 2012 at 9:30 PM

Beautiful shot Lon! Lovely light, great pose, nice action....well done.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 10, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Exquisite pose and image, Lon. I especially like the details on the elk, the open space and position of the horizon in this image. The surrounding scenery and hint of sunlight are great elements.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 26, 2013 at 5:06 PM

Love this very early light, it's pure magic Lon.
Like everything about this - Sweet shot!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments