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Walk in the Woods, Day 2 · 10:04 AM

I went out yesterday afternoon to see if I could improve on my previous days wildlife shots. Just when I was about to give up on finding any deer, I heard them in the brush. I carefully made my way to a spot that looked promising and sat tight. They finally emerged and headed right towards me. I was very excited about some of the shots I got before I finally spooked them.

All shot with the K10D and Tamron 70-300 LD Di. The first shot is cropped to about 7Mpx, but the two portrait shots are not cropped at all. C&C always appreciated as I try to improve my skills.

Thanks for looking,
Scott

vievetrick · 11-17-2007, 01:15 PM

WOW, I never get this close or even see dear willing to have thier picture taken. Great catchs and they are sharp. Thanks for sharing

thomasjmpark · 11-17-2007, 01:19 PM

Excellent, well done

sajmmiller · 11-18-2007, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by vievetrick

WOW, I never get this close or even see dear willing to have thier picture taken. Great catchs and they are sharp. Thanks for sharing

I appreciate the comment Vievetrick!

I was surprised I was able to get that close too. My strategy was to pick a good spot where I was pretty well hidden and let them come to me. The lead doe kept sticking her nose in the air trying to get my scent. It probably helped that I use only unscented personal care products and unscented laundry soap, since I'm very allergic to fragrances. I had the camera up before they emerged from behind a cedar tree and I didn't move a muscle once they were close. I really thought the sound of the shutter would spook them, but it didn't. I used manual focus the whole time.

I'm already looking forward to the next attempt.

Scott

sajmmiller · 11-18-2007, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by thomasjmpark

Excellent, well done

Thanks thomasjmpark.

I was really trying for a buck, but this was the best I could do.....

C&C always appreciated,
Scott

scott-devon · 11-19-2007, 05:37 AM

Very nice! That third one is excellent

JCSullivan · 11-19-2007, 06:40 AM

Very very nice. I've decided I'm NOT showering before I go out in the woods. lol

**SCGushue** · 11-19-2007, 08:11 AM

Scott,

I think you did a wonderful job capturing these images. It was an improvement of the very good ones you posted before. Isn't that what it is all about?

Trying to get the next image to be better?

You certainly did it!

Deer, bears and turkeys move through my property all the time, but I almost never have a chance at getting a camera out when they are on the move.

Last year, while doing some macro work in the backyard two fawns came out of the woods, at dusk, and slowly came walking right up to me. I was quite astonished. But the only lens I had on the camera was a 180 mm lens and virtually no ambient light. Needless to say that is not a great combination. So, an opportunity was lost.

But your shots are wonderful. Makes me want to get one this year.... on sensor... that is.

Stephen

sajmmiller · 11-20-2007, 10:36 AM

scott-devon and JCSullivan,

Thank you for commenting.

Scott

sajmmiller · 11-20-2007, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by SCGushue

Scott,

I think you did a wonderful job capturing these images. It was an improvement of the very good ones you posted before. Isn't that what it is all about?

Trying to get the next image to be better?

Stephen

Stephen,

Wow, thank you for your kind words!

Yes, the challenge is what I love about photography. No matter how much we progress, there's more to learn and always room for improvement, and that's where the fun is for me.

I think there was good amount of luck involved with the photos I posted, but I'm anxious to go try again when the opportunity arises.

I really appreciate your comments, and hope that some good wildlife shooting opportunities come your way soon!

Scott

Mechan1k · 11-20-2007, 11:19 AM

I am impressed indeed.

We have had a few deer around recently ... and I realised how skittish they are ... i didn't have a chance at all.

You have done well.

sajmmiller · 11-21-2007, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by Mechan1k

I am impressed indeed.

We have had a few deer around recently ... and I realised how skittish they are ... i didn't have a chance at all.

You have done well.

Your comments are much appreciated, Simon!

Scott

mtnbearhug · 11-21-2007, 02:42 PM

Deer are so fun to photograph... I think it is thier curious nature and the expressions you can get from thier big eyes and ears..

GREAT Shots!!! Good job!!!

PaulAndAPentax · 11-22-2007, 06:08 AM

What a great reward for a hike in the woods.

weatherwise2 · 11-22-2007, 07:24 AM

Wildlife are so hard to really capture well. You have the technique down and thanks for sharing your secrets. I hope to get a good woods walk in this weekend.

sajmmiller
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11-21-2007, 02:42 PM	#13
mtnbearhug Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Emmett, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,351	Deer.. Deer are so fun to photograph... I think it is thier curious nature and the expressions you can get from thier big eyes and ears.. GREAT Shots!!! Good job!!!

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11-17-2007, 01:15 PM	#2
vievetrick Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Easthampton - Massachusetts - USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,183	WOW, I never get this close or even see dear willing to have thier picture taken. Great catchs and they are sharp. Thanks for sharing

11-17-2007, 01:19 PM	#3
thomasjmpark Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Keswick, England Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,134	Excellent, well done

11-18-2007, 03:09 PM	#4
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by vievetrick WOW, I never get this close or even see dear willing to have thier picture taken. Great catchs and they are sharp. Thanks for sharing I appreciate the comment Vievetrick! I was surprised I was able to get that close too. My strategy was to pick a good spot where I was pretty well hidden and let them come to me. The lead doe kept sticking her nose in the air trying to get my scent. It probably helped that I use only unscented personal care products and unscented laundry soap, since I'm very allergic to fragrances. I had the camera up before they emerged from behind a cedar tree and I didn't move a muscle once they were close. I really thought the sound of the shutter would spook them, but it didn't. I used manual focus the whole time. I'm already looking forward to the next attempt. Scott

11-18-2007, 03:13 PM	#5
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by thomasjmpark Excellent, well done Thanks thomasjmpark. I was really trying for a buck, but this was the best I could do..... C&C always appreciated, Scott

11-19-2007, 05:37 AM	#6
scott-devon Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,140	Very nice! That third one is excellent

11-19-2007, 06:40 AM	#7
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	Very very nice. I've decided I'm NOT showering before I go out in the woods. lol

11-19-2007, 08:11 AM	#8
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	Scott, I think you did a wonderful job capturing these images. It was an improvement of the very good ones you posted before. Isn't that what it is all about? Trying to get the next image to be better? You certainly did it! Deer, bears and turkeys move through my property all the time, but I almost never have a chance at getting a camera out when they are on the move. Last year, while doing some macro work in the backyard two fawns came out of the woods, at dusk, and slowly came walking right up to me. I was quite astonished. But the only lens I had on the camera was a 180 mm lens and virtually no ambient light. Needless to say that is not a great combination. So, an opportunity was lost. But your shots are wonderful. Makes me want to get one this year.... on sensor... that is. Stephen

11-20-2007, 10:36 AM	#9
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	scott-devon and JCSullivan, Thank you for commenting. Scott

11-20-2007, 10:50 AM	#10
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by SCGushue Scott, I think you did a wonderful job capturing these images. It was an improvement of the very good ones you posted before. Isn't that what it is all about? Trying to get the next image to be better? Stephen Stephen, Wow, thank you for your kind words! Yes, the challenge is what I love about photography. No matter how much we progress, there's more to learn and always room for improvement, and that's where the fun is for me. I think there was good amount of luck involved with the photos I posted, but I'm anxious to go try again when the opportunity arises. I really appreciate your comments, and hope that some good wildlife shooting opportunities come your way soon! Scott

11-20-2007, 11:19 AM	#11
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I am impressed indeed. We have had a few deer around recently ... and I realised how skittish they are ... i didn't have a chance at all. You have done well.

11-21-2007, 10:41 AM	#12
sajmmiller Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prescott, Arizona USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 585 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mechan1k I am impressed indeed. We have had a few deer around recently ... and I realised how skittish they are ... i didn't have a chance at all. You have done well. Your comments are much appreciated, Simon! Scott

11-22-2007, 06:08 AM	#14
PaulAndAPentax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 390	What a great reward for a hike in the woods.

11-22-2007, 07:24 AM	#15
weatherwise2 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warwick, RI Photos: Gallery Posts: 740	Wildlife are so hard to really capture well. You have the technique down and thanks for sharing your secrets. I hope to get a good woods walk in this weekend.

Walk in the Woods, Day 2

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