My last few visits to Antelope Island have yielded a mixed bag of bird and mammal photos that I enjoy so I thought I’d share a little of what it’s like to experience the wildlife out there during late spring.
Canon 7D, 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
This take-off pose is one I’ve been after for some time so I was glad to get it from this Loggerhead Shrike, despite the foreground twig in front of the right wing-tip.
Canon 7D, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I believe this to be the same bird as in the previous photo. It had captured what I think was one of the Ichneumon wasps and toyed with it a while before dropping it. I was happy to get the wasp unobscured by the branches or the birds toes as it fell. The shrike watched where it fell and retrieved it.
Canon 7D, 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
There are presumably many pronghorn fawns on the island this time of year but I’ve found it difficult to get close to them or even to spot them at a distance – probably partially due to their instinctive behavior of lying low in the tall grasses much of the time. This one was in a playful mood and spent several minutes romping through the grass around its mother.
Canon 7D, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
This is the same fawn a few minutes later, just after nursing. It was coming out from between its mothers legs. Not the best lighting angle but I think the catch light in the eye of the fawn helps to make up for it.
Canon 7D, 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Many think of Willets as pretty bland birds but when they open their wings the color patterns are quite dramatic. I like the detail, wing position and sharpness of this image but do wish for more room in front of the bird.
Canon 7D, 1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
This photo tickles my funny-bone. I caught the Willet in mid-stride as it jumped (with an assist from its wings) from one rock to another. I especially enjoy the position of the legs and feet.
Canon 7D, 1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Coyotes are common on the island but I’ve never found them at a den until recently. The den opening is buried in the deep shade in the middle of this grassy mound. Here one of the parents and one of two pups are scoping me out.
Canon 7D, 1250, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
For a couple of minutes both pups came out of the den but soon the parent and one pup took off on an apparent hunting excursion while the other youngster stayed behind.
Canon 7D, 1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I watched the direction the two coyotes were headed and figured they’d cross the road about a quarter-mile ahead of me so I drove to the anticipated spot and sure enough – first the parent and then the pup crossed the road right in front of me. The youngster was kind enough to stop and give me a direct look before it went back into the deep grass.
Springtime on Antelope Island – nirvana for a nature photographer!
Ron
Ron these are great shots. Great use of the morning light. Also great stop action shots. I shoot a Nikon D300 and a Nikkor 70-200 2.8 on top of a 2.0 teleconverter. I am having problems getting tack sharp images like yours. I guess I may have to get a 500mm and 1.4 converter and give it a try. Thanks for shearing your setting and great photos.
Thank you Eldridge. For what it’s worth, I know of very few photographers, either Canon or Nikon shooters, who are happy with the sharpness they get using a 2x tc. Folks seem to have better luck with Nikon’s 1.7 – have you tried that? Just a thought.
Wonderful pronghorn and coyote images, these are not very easy to get, way to go.
Ron…I just found your blog and website the other day while looking up Bald Eagle photos. I absoultely love your work and have been to your sites everyday since. I am now going back and catching up on your blog entries. Your photos are inspiring to a newbie like me….thanks for the great inspiration.
I’m so pleased I stumbled across your site a couple of weeks ago!! Your photos are absolutely stunning!