Coyotes Fight Over Food

The action here is intense - excellent first post! I really enjoy how they are so involved with one another - but seem to be keeping an eye on you. Exposure is spot on too

Welcome to NPN!
This is a terrific action shot. Nice view of faces, eyes, and fangs.
The flying snow adds a lot. Seems sharp, but it's hard to tell without a larger image. (See posting guidelines - we can also post a second image of 1200 pixels on the long side in the second "browse" box).
Quite tight in the frame - do you have any room to back off a bit?
Looking forward to more of your images!

Sandy

Welcome to NPN. Thanks for sharing such a dramatic first posting! The eye contact is riveting and the shapes of their pose make a good composition. I like the flying snow, too. I agree with Sandy that a little more space might be even better. I also agree it is nice to enjoy in a larger version, but that option can only be applied with the initial posting. Next time...!

What sort of facility is the Cook County Illinoi Forest Preserve? Is it a commercial or research facility or perhaps a public game park? Please note the posting guidelines ask you to make it clear if images are in a captive setting. One can indicate captive in the title with a (C).

Again, welcome and we look forward to seeing more. Please note that the success of these galleries is a two-way street. One receives feedback from others...and in return it is appropriate to offer comments back to other photographers. Note the posting guidelines suggest a goal of at least 5 comments for each posting and that is something real easy to accomplish. Just select some of the images near yours in the gallery and offer a couple of reactions. It doesn't have to be in-depth; it can be just telling what you like and sometimes ideas on how to improve.

Nice action shot Steven. I like that in th emidst of the action one of them is keeping an eye on you too.

Wow! What a striking action image Steven!!! Welcome to NPN. You will find that even with excellent images there is always scope for improvement and on this site we aim to give advise that can do just that! In this case I think the image could be improved even further by reducing contrasts selectively on those BG branches, to create a more even, less distracting appearance. That will help in focusing all the attention on the subjects. Looking forward to more of your work and comments in this gallery.

I will add my welcome to NPN. Great action shot. The thing I like most is that you are able to see the eyes of both animals. With this kind of action that is not always easy to do. There were some good suggestions already given.

Well done. Nice action with very good technicals.

I don't know if I'm allowed to respond in this box but it appears to be the only way I can reply and I think that is why the questions were posed. 1st, I thank everyone for their helpful comments.
The image was captured at a Cook County Forest Preserve in Illinois that is open to the general public. It is not a captive setting. I've been fortunate this last winter by being there several times when one of the coyote packs made their rounds. I usually wait for 3 or 4 hours, starting at daybreak and remain until the light becomes harsh.
The image is tight in the frame and I was using a prime lens with no ability to maneuver in my SUV. Next time I will consider the larger image format.
I agree with the suggestion regarding reducing the contrast of the branches in the background but, quite frankly, I don't know how restrictive this site is when it involves post processing. I've been on the forums (e.g. "hot topics") and I'm confused as to what the limits are.
I will definitely critique other images and trust my critiquing skills improve with time.

Steve Svalina

Superb shot!
Great timing.

Wow, I like all of this capture! Well done.

Great Shot!

Incredible behavior and action you captured here Steven The coyotes really look healthy, love those snarling faces and flying snow. Perhaps a bit tightly framed, but I like this composition. I am looking forward to seeing more your photography.

Ken Archer

All been said...I will reiterate:
1. fabulous action - WOW, love the expressions
2. welcome here
3. good to hear it's wild animals, makes it even more awesome
4. a bit more space all round would have worked well but I'd take this in my portfolio anyday

Excellent shot Steven! Grest action and techs look spot on.

Steven,

This is probably the best "first post" I have seen on a critique forum for a very long time.

Great action, great moment my sort of image.

Congrats on a fine WP!
Sandy

This one looks so much better colourwise and of course also a fantastic shot. Congratulations on your WP!
Grt, Ingrid.

Intense, frame-filling action with plenty of fangs! Wow, impressive image! Welcome to NPN. Congratulations on the shot and the Pick for it.

WOW!