In Ecuador this past winter I was setting up the multi-flash set at Sachatamia Lodge and I heard some splashing in the small pond nearby. To my surprise there was this Nine-banded Armadillo swimming around trying to get out. He couldn't get out of the pond because there was slippery lining around the edges. I took some shots but I was worried that he would drown so I went to the hotel desk explained the situation and a worker came and netted the armadillo to get it out of the water. He was set free and ran off. This was kind of a grab shot, trying to keep my shutter speed up some not necessarily optimal techs.
Canon 5D3 500F4 1/2000 F4, iso 2500 handheld
Comments
10 commentsOne of a kind, Nate! Well taken and an interesting behavior shot.
Pretty good details for a grab shot. Glad the armadillo was saved from drowning
....................................Jim
Whoa, that's different! I'd be happy with any armadillo shot at this point, but this is really unique.
Max
Hello Nate
Well done GRAB!:)
First time seeing a swimming armadillo ! And great to get him Safe !
Bill
www.Billbickle.com
Interesting shot, Nate. A real eye teaser. The reflections don't seem to line up correctly, but I'm sure they are where they are supposed to be. I can see the right front leg and claws extended for the next stroke and assume that the left front is at the end of it's stroke, tucked up against the body even though the ear reflection would have me believe it's the left leg underwater. The wake has distorted and juxtaposed the ear reflection enough, except for the tip, to throw it way out of position. The snout reflection comes off at a weird angle as well, not quite 90 degrees, but close. Something strange going visually, but does it ever keep the eyes moving around in the frame. Cool capture.
Cool. It is easy to be happy with this as posted. I must admit,however, I went through some of the same contortions as Neil in trying to understand the reflections. Fine grab shot!
Nate,
This is a wonderful image and cerainly unusual.
Gkad to saced the armadillo
Nate: pretty neat for a grab shot. It's rare to see a photo of an armadillo, no less a swimmer. Glad that you went to the rescue. Richard
Nate to the Rescue . . .
This guy is at 'Flank Speed' from the looks of the wake and would have tired out quickly at this pace looking for a way out.
My first reaction was also concerning the reflections of what seem to be the ears that in no way line up properly. Can you shed any light on this. Armadillos like to swim, and they are very good at it. They have a strong dog paddle, and can even go quite a distance underwater, walking along the bottom of shallow streams and ponds. They can hold their breath for four to six minutes at a time. When they need to cross larger, deeper bodies of water, they swim across. Because their heavy shell makes it hard for them to float, they gulp air into their intestines to make them more buoyant. The ability to cross streams and rivers has helped Armadillos expand their home range.
Cool shot . . .
Thanks for your comments everyone! I agree that the reflections don't line up the way you think they would but I don't know the reason. My thought would be that what we are seeing in the water is the left leg not the right but I'm not sure. I didn't do any cloning or anything in photoshop that would have altered the reflections.