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WC567 - Raccoon Tracks

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted January 13, 201368 views8 comments

Raccoon Tracks

Gilbert Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: November 21, 2012, 8:37 am
Equipment: iPhone 3GS
Exposure: ISO 64, 1/134th second at f/2.8 hand held
Scan: PS CS3 on Mac, 78% of frame

I rarely carry a short lens for my Nikon with me when I’m out with my 300/2.8 and 2x for birds. Instead I now rely on an old iPhone that a friend donated to me when he upgraded for those documentation shots I come upon.

I took this because I wanted to ID the animal that left these tracks by consulting one of my field guides when I got home. This turned out to be my favorite shot of the day!

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger image provided.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on January 13, 2013 at 12:57 PM

Love it and the comp is perfect in my book!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on January 13, 2013 at 4:01 PM

Great set of track impressions. . . looks like he purposely posed to make these impressions.

I like the storytelling aspect that this area was once quite muddy when visited by the raccoon, but is now dry with the mud hard and cracked. Nice comp of the tracks and I like the inclusion of the plants on the edges of the frame.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 13, 2013 at 6:38 PM

Neat shot - I wonder how old the tracks are ? Looks like quite a long time since the ground was muddy and the 'coon wandered through. Very interesting patterns from the cracks, and perfect comp to include the plant bits.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on January 13, 2013 at 10:20 PM

Excellent comp and light; and wow, what a perfect surface for tracks! That iPhone worked well for you. What lens?

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by RL Potts on January 14, 2013 at 4:02 PM

Nice. I like the enduring nature of this. Most tracks are ephemeral. These look as if they could be preserved in mudstone and discovered millions of years from now after all of the mammals have become extinct. Also, the tracks of weather and time are evident.

Registered on November 24, 2003, 188 Posts, 985 Comments

Comment posted by Lynne Doxie on January 18, 2013 at 3:02 PM

Love your placement of the tracks & the inclusion of the greenery against the barren ground. So much interesting elements is this one shot. Love the lines from the cracks in the mud.

Registered on January 12, 2013, 14 Posts, 19 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Rebmann on January 18, 2013 at 11:11 PM

I really like your image, and this is a perfect example of "it's not the gear, it's the photographer".

Paul

Registered on July 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 1, 2013 at 7:52 AM

A testament to the benefit of having your iPhone with ya at all times..
Nice side lighting that adds depth & interest. Also like the dried cracks at the various sizes, great textures.
Have a great weekend Rich

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