A Long Winter's Nap

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted February 16, 2015146 views3 comments

Hi all! I don't make it over to this gallery very often to post, but I sure take time regularly to soak in the incredible images posted here! I probably shouldn't drop in with an image that may be outside of the guidelines for percentage of the frame to portray the hand of man, but this image is (at least to me) all about Man and Nature. If the moderators need to move it, perhaps to wildlife or POP, I understand!

In any event, my family and I spotted this handsome red fox using a cabin in Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta) for shelter from the prevalent winter winds. I was attracted to the rich colours of the logs and the character in the non-typical background, and didn't mind the intruding pine branch even though I couldn't pull off sufficient DOF to render it sharply (I tried) so opted to go the other route and shoot wide open for better separation from the cabin.

As an aside, this particular composition was a challenge to achieve! I started with the 500mm on my full-frame body, but it was a bit tighter than I wanted, so I swapped it for the 300mm, which left too much open area on the sides of the cabin, so eventually found the winning combo (for my taste) by putting the 300mm on my crop-sensor body (resulting in 450mm equivalent). The joys of fixed focal length lenses and a decision not to risk disturbing the fox by getting out to "zoom with my feet!"

To say that this guy (yes, it is a male) had settled in for a long winter's nap is an understatement. While we watched and photographed, it started to snow. Then it started to REALLY snow, and before long it was coming down big time. The fox never so much as stirred during our entire photo session, and we left it to its peaceful slumber some time later. (If you're interested in a mid-snowstorm frame, I posted one in the Weekly Challenge recently here.

I welcome your comments and suggestions as always...please take a moment to view the LARGER version if you have time.

Thanks...

Nikon D7100
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
ISO 400
1/250sec @ f/2.8
resting on open truck window

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on February 16, 2015 at 9:15 AM

John: What a wonderful scene and moment. I actually like the color contrast provided by the branches and don't think they detract at all; in fact if they were sharp they might pull the eye away from the fox and the warm textures of the cabin. Top notch shot. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on February 16, 2015 at 5:01 PM

I love everything about this image, John. The sense of peacefulness and safety of the sleeping fox is poignant - how I would hope that every animal in the world would be able to feel the same !!! It is a bittersweet yet truly beautiful image - thank you!

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy Aron on April 8, 2015 at 6:17 PM

Fine shot, esp the way the colors of the fox echo those of the wood. My eye seems to want a little more snow to balance the rich but heavy brown hues.

Registered on February 25, 2011, 189 Posts, 1160 Comments