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Madison River Bull
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Madison River Bull

by Jerry Austin

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 23, 2014159 views6 comments
This is another shot from my Yellowstone trip in September. This was one of my most memorable wildlife encounters of that trip. I saw this big guy at a distance. I immediately recognized that he was an exceptional bull. I decided to see if I could get a bit closer. He was on the far side of the Madison River. As I walked toward him, he walked toward the river. I got as close as I dared, as I didn't want to spook him. As luck or fate would have it, he continued walking toward the river and me. It turned out, he wanted a drink. The bad news is that by the time he got to the river, he was very close. Really to close for the 500mm lens. I would have preferred more space around him, but I was reluctant to back up as I feared spooking him. This, and a couple of other close encounters, really got me considering the Canon 200-400 lens. I rented that lens after I returned from Yellowstone and really loved it. I ended up purchasing the lens. So, the next time I have an encounter like this, I can zoom out. Thanks for viewing and reading this long post.

Processed using NeatImage, Photoshop CS3 and LightZone. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D
Canon 500mm f4 L IS II
1/800s
f4.0
ISO 500
Exp Comp -0.33

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 23, 2014 at 4:05 PM
Jerry, I have no problem with the size of the Elk in the frame. The closeup allowed you a DOF that you wouldn't have gotten way out long. You also kept enough of the grass in the BG to provide context. I certainly wouldn't mind this in my files! :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 23, 2014 at 8:45 PM
Beautiful shot Jerry, works for me, it looks like it could use a touch of ccw rotation but you would have to crop to do that so it might not be worth it. A vertical might have worked well here too. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 23, 2014 at 11:08 PM
Very nicely done, Jerry. The tightness of the subject does not bother me at all. I agree about the CCW rotation, though.
Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 24, 2014 at 6:24 AM
Jerry,

No problem for me with the "close up", glad to here you now have the flexibility of the 200-400 mm. Hope that unlike me you will remember that you have the zoom :smile: :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on May 24, 2014 at 5:52 PM
Hello Jerry

Well done. Nice details, and the natural catchlight. Did you get one with his head coming up and dripping the water?

Do you think your new zoom has a as good details as this 500?

Bill
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on May 24, 2014 at 7:36 PM
I did indeed, Bill. Check it out.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments