Inspiring Photo: Yellowstone Buffalo #13359551

Yellowstone Buffalo

Uploaded: September 24, 2012

Description

1/800 f5.6 ISO 200 400mm

Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/800 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Michael Kelly September 24, 2012

Well it was a great trip! Not to many photos as the smoke from the fires in Mont. and Idaho made shooting most things at a distance very hazy. This was one of the clearer days and the BG here is very Smokey but worked well on this shot. Will post a shot of Tetons where Dale took his sunrise shot - you can kind of tell there are mountains in the BG. Got to see a lot of great scenery even though photos were tough. Had some good food, nice drives, great places to stay, and great weather. Still sorry I had to forgo DC, but this trip made up for it a bit because Sherry and I had a great time. #1488298

Elaine Hessler September 24, 2012

Awesome picture of the buffalo! I think the haze is working to your advantage here because it really sets off the buffalo. I like how he/she appears to be looking at you out of the corner of his/her eye. The lighting and color are very nice too. #10338083

Jeff E Jensen September 24, 2012

Yup, nice shot, Mike. Too bad conditions weren't the best, but sounds like you had a great trip! #10338406

Teresa H. Hunt September 24, 2012

I'm glad you had a great trip. We missed you in DC though.

This is a great shot. Mr. Buffalo looks like he's keeping an eye on you. :) #10339233

Aimee C. Eisaman September 25, 2012

So glad you and Sherry had such a nice trip! I think this image is fantastic...very impressive clarity and I too think the smokey haze in the background adds to this image. This one looks like it belongs in an NG magazine! :~) #10340002

Michael Kelly September 25, 2012

Thanks all. I was very pleased with this shot - great lighting and a terrific BG to highlight this good looking Buffalo. Thanks Aimee. I do submit an occasional shot to NG and this may be one to do that with. So far no luck with them but the competition is very stiff. #10340725

Peter W. Marks September 25, 2012

Nothing much I can say about this one Mike; it is excellant. #10341155

Debbie E. Payne September 25, 2012

It's a great shot. Just how close were you, Michael. I know that when I go up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, I get this kind of hazy background as well. Am dying to go to RMNP soon. The colors would be great but there is so much beetle kill that images have to be taken very carefully or not at all unless you want beetle kill in the background. It is a shame but it is all part of nature. #10341361

Elaine Hessler September 25, 2012

What's beetle kill Debbie? #10341375

Michael Kelly September 25, 2012

Thanks Peter.

Thank you Debbie. I am not sure how close I was on this shot, but a number of shots I had to zoom out from my 400 all the way to 100 to get the whole animal in the frame. I was also hiding behind my truck part of the time.

This was just past the loop turn off to the North West park entrance. We had gone about 15 miles and saw huge herds but at a great distance. On the way back wee saw a large herd on the top of a ridge about 1/2 to 1 mile away. They came off the ridge down a steep slope into the river and proceeded to come right at us up a little draw about 10 feet in front of where I had parked in a little pull off area. When we stopped there was only us and a fisherman who was going to go to the river but remained with us as he did not want to end up in a buffalo stampede. From this picture you can see we did not remain alone long. #10341471

Michael Kelly September 25, 2012

Elaine a lot of the pine forests in the west suffer from a beetle infestation which kills the trees. A big problem and makes for a terrible photo BG. #10341479

Rita K. Connell September 26, 2012

Mike this is truely a excellant shot, I really like how the bg is, it really sets him off very nicely. this is the time of year to go they are nice and fat before the winter. your clarity is always spot on. going in my favorites for sure. #10342173

Dale Hardin September 26, 2012

Really good shot Mike. Nice POV and it looks great against that soft background. The other shot is where I captured a bull coming down the middle of the street last year. #10342331

lisa anderson September 26, 2012

This shot looks great! (does anyone else think NG has been going for more extreme angles in the past few years?) #10342671

Michael Kelly September 26, 2012

Thanks Rita, you made my day.

Thanks Dale - yup I remember that shot. Could be the exact spot as I think they have a regular path that they travel trough the area.

Thank you Lisa. I think they are getting a little more edgy in their shots than they used to be. #10342881

Beth Spencer September 26, 2012

That is a really great shot, I love the background as it really sets off the buffalo. I bet it seemed strange to see them cross the road, but I wonder if people there get used to it. We have deer constantly in the roads trying to bounce off cars. #10342895

Linda A. Braddock December 28, 2012

Michael, Congratulations on this Awesome Finalist! #10484177

Dale Hardin December 28, 2012

Big congrats on the finalist Mike. Hope you are up to par now. Miss you. #10484821

Donna La Mattino Pagakis December 29, 2012

Such an excellent wildlife capture Michael, congratulations!! #10486583

Rita K. Connell December 29, 2012

congratulation I love this shot! #10486658

Beth Spencer December 29, 2012

Congratulations! #10487384

Merna L. Nobile December 29, 2012

January is a month of reflection for me, I remember how privileged I was to observe all the outstanding work and beautiful photographs of the past year. For the last time this year, I would be honored to congratulate you for your spectacular work and willingness to share with all of us, Happy New Year, Merna Nobile
#10488012

Debbie E. Payne December 29, 2012

Yes, Michael -- Congratulations on this fine image as well as your second one of the plane. Glad that you submitted those BEFORE your bout with pneumonia. I just know it was no picnic in my twenties so I can only imagine what it would be like now. Hope you are on the mend #10488273

Teresa H. Hunt December 29, 2012

Congrats Mike! I hope you are on the mend #10488342

Michael Kelly January 27, 2013

Thanks Beth, Linda, Dale, Donna, Rita, Merna, Debbie, and Teresa. All mended and catching up slowly. #10541049

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