Pika Brunch

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 20, 2017560 views8 comments

Hello! I realize I haven't posted on here in almost a whole year! It's been pretty busy of late. Our family opened up a wildlife art gallery last July which has kept everyone busy!

This photo is from last August. It was my birthday and I remember we were trying to figure out what we should do. We then decided we should take a drive through Kananaskis and then end up in Banff! My family and I packed up the gear and were on our way! My dad and I had heard about some Pikas being easily accessible along our route. We stopped at the area and there were Pikas everywhere! They would dash through the rocks with their stash of greens for the winter, then race back for more. It was hard to focus on just one, but I did notice that there were a couple that weren't too shy and would run right by you. I got down low and waited for this guy to come through (he seemed to have a set route). He stopped for a few seconds on this rock, allowing me to capture this image! I am quite happy with the way it turned out and can't wait to go back this summer!!

Thank you for looking! crying

P.S. Please view the larger photo for best detail.

Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED with 1.4xTC
ISO 500
f/5.6 @ 1/500sec

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on March 20, 2017 at 1:06 PM

Jeanaya, good to hear from you. This just knocks the cute factor out of the ball park. The pika looks like it is extremely happy and content. Fantastic focus on the eye and the FOOD!!! The lichen add a nice little extra point of interest too. Hope the family business is taking off. Glad you are getting that opportunity.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 20, 2017 at 2:59 PM

Well taken! great expression on the pika. Sharpness of the face and plants make this image stand out. Thanks for sharing, glad to see your post again.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 20, 2017 at 4:20 PM

Cute little guy you managed to capture her. The greens in his mouth add a lot. I would be interested in the techs if you could post them.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 20, 2017 at 11:31 PM

Gotta love the plant in the mouth and the pose in general. It looks like the eye is barely in focus... what were your settings on this one?

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on March 21, 2017 at 4:31 AM

Jeneya,
I also love images with "silly" faces, this is a marvelous capture devil

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Skip Layman on March 22, 2017 at 12:40 PM

I love this shot of a Pica gathering for the Winter. My only suggestion would be to darken the image a bit, particularly the pica.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 558 Posts, 1704 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on March 22, 2017 at 6:16 PM

Thank you everyone! Jerry and Max, I just updated with techs!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 25, 2017 at 4:29 PM

Hi Jenaya,

These guys are so cute and so much fun - "playing with" them is a very nice way to spend a birthday!

Cute factor is huge here and I totally agree that the green foliage in the mouth adds a lot of interest (and a nice colour contrast to boot!). If I had to find minor things to be improved it would be that - for me - this one is just a tad too thin in DoF (or with the focus just a little too far forward). Specific areas that I'd have preferred a little sharper would include the front paw and the rock it's on (and perhaps just a tad more in the shoulder region). And, I agree with Skip that the pika itself would probably be a bit more eye-catching if it were a little darker (and with the mid-tones on the body separated out a little more). But I AM being picky here - as posted the image is very nice!

Finally - very nice to see representation in the Wildlife Gallery again from a member of Team Launstein - hope to see more soon!

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments