I had followed the boar around for about 2 whole days and it was day 3 when I had found them again and got a bit closer. The above was taken after about 3 hours 'distance- ish' trailing when they stopped to rest.
Again low, moving very slowly forward, in full frontal sight, close to the ground - wearing the same cloths as the previous days.
Distance from me to the sow about 4 meters, distance from me to a climbable tree about 2 meters (HSE always comes first ). Kneeling to take the shot. After I had taken about 20 shots I backed off in reverse as slowly as I arrived until I was at about 10 meters. She stayed there for about 20 minutes and then moved off to join the group and feed again.
200mm/Handheld
30'/F13 ( really do need the DOF)/800ASA
normal PS and a bit of S&H 95% of Frame
Posted by Tim Taylor on February 26, 2008 at 2:23 AM
I'm really enjoying your boar series and right there with you from your descriptions. We live in such a safe and tame country that it's nice to think someone might actually have to climb a tree to escape from a wild animal (glad you didn't by the way). I love this shot right down there on the ground with the sow.
Wild Boar are described under the "Dangerous Animals Act" but I have to be candid and say that (like most wild things) they would much rather just avoid us or, in this case and finally, tolerate us with a mild interest. The tree was just there in case I startled her and she decided a run at me was the only exit, she is about 20 stone, hence why a very slow frontal approach.
I have to be honest and also say that they are accustomed to seeing forestry workers and one person in particular but I will show what affect that person being present has tomorrow.
A few of you may have noticed that I have no shots of a male boar, well thats because I rarely saw them; the family groups are much easier to find.
T
Posted by Barry Southon on February 26, 2008 at 4:01 AM
Tom
Very interesting scenario and great shot. We have Wild Boar in this neck of the woods in increasing numbers so I understand. Only ever seen signs of them never sighted one.
Barry
Eastbourne
Posted by Adrian North on February 26, 2008 at 4:24 AM
Tom,
I am finding this series of images fascinating. Having, for my sins, once been an assistant pig farm manager it is wonderful to see the wild variety . It is also valuable to know how to approach and errr "de-"approach them just in case you find yourself face to face with one!
Hi Tom
Nice picture.Did you do this at the Aigas nature center? (Zoo center) I think you should state in front of your post that this is a captive animal. You have to use that big C in front of your post so the rules of posting say.
Best wishes
Frederic
Posted by Gary Beers on February 26, 2008 at 4:55 AM
I haven't been commenting on the individual images, but I too have been enjoying this series of images and the fascinating background information that comes with them.....
Posted by Paul Inglis on February 26, 2008 at 6:24 AM
Tom,
This is great and the wet nose! You can see the sleepy look in its expression particularly the eye. Fantastic series Tom, really is. Like the stories behind them too.
This was not done at " Aigas nature center? (Zoo center)", otherwise I would have stated such.
That said I do take the point that, as I have previously said, the boar are essentially in an enclosed area (all be it in a very large area) so they are living under some captivity.
It does beg the usual question...
Are the deer in Bradgate/Richmond captive and if so are the Badgers also - big grey area? I'm not being the judge of that!
T
Posted by Nick Hanson on February 26, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Just my two peneth.
Frederic,
I think that Tom should know the rules of this forum, seeing that he is one of the moderators
Also, he did state in the first image of this series where the image was taken.
Good work, a lovely shot and very impressive field work.
Re the captive discussion, most if not all the parks in Southern African have a fence and animals are moved into areas that they were historically. Should a Wild dog that has been reintroduced into the Kruger (a park the size of Wales) be seen as captive? or a Yellowstone wolf (not sure about the fence)
Do the Boar's get supplementary feeding, if one is ill is the vet called or does nature take it's course, are they rounded up at the end of the year and made into the excellent Wild Boar sausages I had on Sunday.
This is a grey area and we should not expect the photographer to have all the answers, just, as has been done, state the circumstances. I wish some of the images you see in print were as honest.
The other issue, and probably more for discussion on other fora, is why do we not have more of such area. Large fenced areas were nature is taken back to it's natural state, if we expect people to do this in Africa and India why not in the UK.
Rant over. Please send hate male re the sausages to.......
Ian Hay
Posted by Ian Andrews on February 26, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Having been in a similar position Tom, my hat's off.
Ian
Posted by eric weight on February 26, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Another fine shot and a very interesting series. I particularly enjoy reading about the circumstances surrounding the photo. It adds an extra, valuable element for those of us trying to emulate the better photogreaphers on here and I'm quite happy that you gave enough info re captivity at the beginning.
Ian I think it is appalling that you have eaten all those wild boar sausages without offering them around. Eric
Posted by Alan Bryant on February 26, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Discussion
13 repliesI had followed the boar around for about 2 whole days and it was day 3 when I had found them again and got a bit closer. The above was taken after about 3 hours 'distance- ish' trailing when they stopped to rest.
Again low, moving very slowly forward, in full frontal sight, close to the ground - wearing the same cloths as the previous days.
Distance from me to the sow about 4 meters, distance from me to a climbable tree about 2 meters (HSE always comes first
200mm/Handheld
30'/F13 ( really do need the DOF)/800ASA
normal PS and a bit of S&H 95% of Frame
Tim
Wild Boar are described under the "Dangerous Animals Act" but I have to be candid and say that (like most wild things) they would much rather just avoid us or, in this case and finally, tolerate us with a mild interest. The tree was just there in case I startled her and she decided a run at me was the only exit, she is about 20 stone, hence why a very slow frontal approach.
I have to be honest and also say that they are accustomed to seeing forestry workers and one person in particular but I will show what affect that person being present has tomorrow.
A few of you may have noticed that I have no shots of a male boar, well thats because I rarely saw them; the family groups are much easier to find.
T
Very interesting scenario and great shot. We have Wild Boar in this neck of the woods in increasing numbers so I understand. Only ever seen signs of them never sighted one.
Barry
Eastbourne
I am finding this series of images fascinating. Having, for my sins, once been an assistant pig farm manager it is wonderful to see the wild variety
Thanks for sharing
Adrian
Nice picture.Did you do this at the Aigas nature center? (Zoo center) I think you should state in front of your post that this is a captive animal. You have to use that big C in front of your post so the rules of posting say.
Best wishes
Frederic
This is great and the wet nose! You can see the sleepy look in its expression particularly the eye. Fantastic series Tom, really is. Like the stories behind them too.
This was not done at " Aigas nature center? (Zoo center)", otherwise I would have stated such.
That said I do take the point that, as I have previously said, the boar are essentially in an enclosed area (all be it in a very large area) so they are living under some captivity.
It does beg the usual question...
Are the deer in Bradgate/Richmond captive and if so are the Badgers also - big grey area? I'm not being the judge of that!
T
Frederic,
I think that Tom should know the rules of this forum, seeing that he is one of the moderators
Also, he did state in the first image of this series where the image was taken.
Re the captive discussion, most if not all the parks in Southern African have a fence and animals are moved into areas that they were historically. Should a Wild dog that has been reintroduced into the Kruger (a park the size of Wales) be seen as captive? or a Yellowstone wolf (not sure about the fence)
Do the Boar's get supplementary feeding, if one is ill is the vet called or does nature take it's course, are they rounded up at the end of the year and made into the excellent Wild Boar sausages I had on Sunday.
This is a grey area and we should not expect the photographer to have all the answers, just, as has been done, state the circumstances. I wish some of the images you see in print were as honest.
The other issue, and probably more for discussion on other fora, is why do we not have more of such area. Large fenced areas were nature is taken back to it's natural state, if we expect people to do this in Africa and India why not in the UK.
Rant over. Please send hate male re the sausages to.......
Ian Hay
Ian
Ian I think it is appalling that you have eaten all those wild boar sausages without offering them around.
Keep em coming