Pronghorns, deer, bison and other ungulates in the wild...

Jack Douglas

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Apr 10, 2013
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The title of the thread has “...in the wild...” and I thought your comment implied that the presence of the gopher cage was not in the wild.
It was just my attempt at a joke - I don't know anything about gopher traps!:) Good to know the thread is in the wild cause my back yard isn't exactly wild and that's where my deer were.:unsure:

Jack
 
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dcm

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Visited the peak of Mt. Evans (14,130ft) in Colorado yesterday. You can drive to the peak in the summer and it gets lots of visitors for views of Denver and other mountain ranges in the distance, such as Pikes Peak 60 miles to the south. Not really expecting a photo op, but brought the 1DX II, 11-24, and 100-400 II along just in case. Turns out mountain goats frequent the area and are accustomed to people, passing close (within 20 ft) by the viewing areas.

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dcm

Enjoy the gear you have!
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I know they weren't challenging shots but really nice to view, never the less!

Jack

Thanks. Much more fun than a zoo - the humans were somewhat fenced in, the goats were free to roam.

Mostly patience required - for a cloud to pass, a head or heads to turn, or an interesting pose - it's not like they take direction. That and composition challenges - sometimes 100mm wasn't wide enough and 400mm wasn't long enough. Here's one at 100mm.

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Lots of cell phones, including my wife. Not many cameras visible.
 
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Here is a pronghorn from a week ago in Chino Valley, Arizona (just north of Prescott). 100-400 ii with 1.4x iii extender on a 5D4. (However I am not fully satisfied with this lens - I had one before and sold it - and am switching to Nikon D850 that will arrive at my door in the next two hours, along with 24-70 and 70-200. I will then order a 500 f/5.6PF, which are all on backorder).
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AlanF

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Here is a pronghorn from a week ago in Chino Valley, Arizona (just north of Prescott). 100-400 ii with 1.4x iii extender on a 5D4. (However I am not fully satisfied with this lens - I had one before and sold it - and am switching to Nikon D850 that will arrive at my door in the next two hours, along with 24-70 and 70-200. I will then order a 500 f/5.6PF, which are all on backorder).
The D850 and 500/5.6 PF do make a great combination. Can you operate without a zoom? Nikon is really deficient. The 80-400mm is a very disappointing lens, the 200-500mm is slow, soft over 400mm and heavy. So often do I need one, switching back from birds to close up animals and insects, that I couldn't give up my 100-400mm II (I have had 3 excellent ones). The only equivalent for me is the Sony 100-400mm to match the quality of the Canon and its fast AF.
 
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Jack Douglas

CR for the Humour
Apr 10, 2013
6,980
2,602
Alberta, Canada
Here is a pronghorn from a week ago in Chino Valley, Arizona (just north of Prescott). 100-400 ii with 1.4x iii extender on a 5D4. (However I am not fully satisfied with this lens - I had one before and sold it - and am switching to Nikon D850 that will arrive at my door in the next two hours, along with 24-70 and 70-200. I will then order a 500 f/5.6PF, which are all on backorder).
View attachment 185430
Keep us posted on your activity with the new gear.

Jack
 
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Jack Douglas

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Apr 10, 2013
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Had a really fun time today when Bambi and Mama showed up in my back yard. The little one raced around having so much fun. Catching the action however placed me at my limit of ISO 12500 on this cloudy rainy day. I got some OK at 1/800 and tried 1/500 but with 800mm, no way.

I'm thrilled with the experience but not the shots.

Jack

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Jack Douglas

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Apr 10, 2013
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From my experience yesterday I've learned that for an animal racing around in poor lighting it's better to compromise on shutter speed to keep the ISO down, within reason of course. With 800mm and IS, I shot at 1/2000th, then 1/1600th, 1/1250th and then went to 1/800 and finally a few at 1/500 (those didn't cut it). Basically I never got lower than ISO 5000 but compared to 12800 with about 65% crop it made a big difference.

Jack
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Jul 29, 2012
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Nice shot, Mike.
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