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Desert Bighorn
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Desert Bighorn

by Bob McQuade

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 22, 201484 views4 comments
D800 200-400mm @ 400mm F8 1/90 ISO 140 Tripod

Taken in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. Stumbled onto a group of a dozen sheep yesterday and I clambered up the sandstone as they kept climbing higher to rest in the shade from the noonday sun. They refused to give me any angles to get some acceptable light, always walking into the sun then retreating into harsh shade, so I figured I wouldn't get much of anything.

Was pleasantly surprised when processing this image and found the sheep reasonably sharply focused and the shade area of the sandstone rendered in wonderful pastel shades. I guess you just never know and just keep shooting!

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on November 22, 2014 at 8:14 PM
Photo shows the sheep and environment well. Glad you kept at it. Sharp and good color. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on November 23, 2014 at 1:26 AM
Bod,
Obviously a difficult shot to get, I like the result, the colours in the shadow area are very pleasing :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 24, 2014 at 2:50 PM
I like this a lot Bob, the sheep stands out nicely and it's a great setting. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 24, 2014 at 4:12 PM
He lifts away from the rock face nicely. Good catch. I think I would try to selectively underexpose the bright sunlit patch a bit, just so it did not compete so much with the rest of the scene. I agree with you that the shaded area offers super pastels!
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments