Horned Limousin heifer.

Canon 20D, Canon 17-40mm L @ 17mm, 1/500 sec @ f8, -1/3 exposure compensation, Canon 580EX @ -2/3 flash compensation.
Raw, iso 200, Handheld.

Cropped some off right-hand side and added a few millimeters to top of canvas.



Hi,

Forum seems a bit quiet today so thought I'd post another one.

Took this shot of a Highland cow out in the New Forest back in June.

I couldn't help but smile when it came up on the computer monitor back at home.Not sure if it was the quirky viewpoint or remembering how I spent the best part of an hour 'slithering' along on my back untill I was nearly lying in between his front legs

I never used to like these distorted viewpoints of animals,but my opinions have changed and they're really starting to grow on me.
I'd be interested to hear what others think regarding this.


All comments always welcome and appreciated.

Hi Justin, it's a very interesting viewpoint - I quite like it. My only nit is the cows jewelry - I would try to clone them out.

Amazing perspective and viewpoint, wish I had been there to witness you slithering along on your back, cow must be thinking what a strabge character you are

A very appealling image....

Hi Justin
what a fantastic shot and I love the view point. Were you holding a conversation with this cow, cos it looks as though it is talking to you.
John
Aberdeen

A fine image indeed, although I agree about cloning out the ear tags.

You're certainly braver than me - I wouldn't lie down in front of one of these!

I have looked at this image a few times before comment,My initial reaction was that the flash was obvious and maybe a bit overdone but it has evenly lite the subject and its a very srtiking image-2 friends of mine were nearly killed by cows and both will never work again so a word of warning for all those thinking of doing this type of image

Thanks for the warning Dave.

Over the last few years, most incidents of serious injury (or worse) by cows occurs to people who have dogs with them. So bear that in mind if you take your mutt anywhere near cows! And the advice is, if a cow should become 'aggressive', let go of your dog - the dog will easily evade the cow, and it is the dog the cow is interested in. If you hold on to the dog (by way of a lead or otherwise) neither the dog nor yourself will be able to evade the cow easily.

Even if not being aggressive, cows can be clumsily inquisitive. I certainly wouldn't lie down on the floor in front of one!

But, you got a good photo and lived to tell the tale, so alls well that ends well!!!

Dave,
If you don't mind me asking.How did the incident with your friends come about.Were they photographing it,just passing by,etc.??
Was it the same species as above.
Be interesting (and useful) to know.




Michael
That's an interesting point,thanks for sharing it.

Hi Justin

I like the angle of this one.And having the other cow to the right really helps with the composition.The ear tags dont really bother me that much, IMO it adds to the shot.

Cows are very nosey and IMO would only "attack" if they had young to pretect.But you never know ?.

Hi Justin

Great view point and good use of FF. I did something similar with a small heard of young cows who followed me over to the gate, where I was able to lay on the floor and photograph through the gate in complete safety!

David

Hi Justin,
Not a Highland cow, but a Horned Limousin heifer.
Cattle can be dangerous, mostly due to their weight. Most accidents can be avoided by the ppl concerned being aware of this. Prudence would suggest carrying a stick to be a good idea.....a sharp tap on the nose with it will remind any cattle beast that you're not to be messed with.

As to the shot; simple clean and definetly in your style Justin.

Cheers,
John

Excellent view/perspective Justin, and great clarity/detail ,

I agree with Alan regarding the extra cow within the frame, and find this shot to be full of impact

Seems there are a few of us who have had close shaves with inquisitive cows . I was once chased by about thirty of them, and took refuge under a bush . This didn't stop them trying to get me, and in the end i had to summon up all my courage and 'burst' out of the bush {waving my tripod and shouting}, and to my amazement they all ran away {phew!!}. Since then i have always checked for cows if i am planning any hide photography, as they seem to be very curious creatures, and i don't fancy meeting my end by being squashed in a ready-made body-bag

Cracking shot

Alan

John

Many thanks for the correct ID I shall make a note of that for any future encounters

Excuse my ignorance and naivety regarding this subject but just so I understand in case I face the same situation again.
Am I right to believe that all cows can be dangerous and not just the ones with huge great horns,as in this case.
At the risk of sounding daft ,I never realised their weight was the problem,the horns yes,but the weight no. I presume from yours and Dave's warnings that they can and will trample you if you upset them,as well as use there horns in an attack.
Is this correct?





Alan

Not a laughing matter I know but your story had me in stitches

Attack???
Who said attack?
Their weight is a problem because they are not aware of how it can crush smaller things.
Single cattle rarely do any harm, but when a group of them crowd round you (not attacking but merely investigating) it is always worth being aware that you can easily be crushed between them..not intentional on the cattle's part but when you have a lot of 1/2 ton clumsy animals around you accidents could happen.
Cows with calves can and do defend their offspring against anyone or thing that they deem to be a danger, in most cases standing your ground and waving your arms at them lets them know that you are the boss.
My father spent over 50 years working with cattle and would never venture into a field w/o his stick...not because he was afraid, but because he was aware of what could happen. I have worked amongst them for 20 odd years and always have a stick with me too.
Limousin cattle are noted for being docile, as are highlanders, but some folk see the horns and think fierce.

John

Thanks John.Your advice will no doubt prove very useful one day

Hi Justin, I am a fan of animal pictures taken with a wideangle lens and think this is very effective I am not sure I would have used flash as I wouldnt want to take the chance of upsetting it

Terry

Hello Justin
1.An excellent cow image, which works particularly well from the low view point.
2. John has summed up the animal dangers very well. In all my time farming with animals, the only animal which ever actually attacked me was a boar, and luckily I was faster than him. Cows are extremely curious and a little clumsy, but if you stand your ground, or run at them they will usually run away. There are however, 2 occasions when cattle might attack. Firstly, if they have a calf with them and you have a dog, they will charge at the dog - he, in turn, will run to his master for protection, so guess who gets the brunt of the cow? Secondly, bulls can and sometimes will attack mankind. I had an uncle who was killed by a bull, so be warned, if they have got very big dangly bits - make for the nearest fence!
Best wishes
Phil

"if they have got very big dangly bits - make for the nearest fence!"

And if they haven't got big dangly bits, you'll probably find that they've bought themselves a big/sporty car to make up for it.

Thanks for the advise Phil.

I must confess to knowing absolutely nothing whatsoever about cows.I've certainly learnt a few new snippets of information since posting this shot.
So at least I shall be a little wiser on my next encounter,thanks to this thread.