A layer of fog often forms on the floor of the Centennial Valley in the last hour or so before dawn. It can be beautiful or a pain in the butt. Sometimes it’s both.
Four days ago as I was leaving camp in a foggy dawn I could barely see a herd of pronghorn crossing the dirt road in front of me. The herd consisted of about 20 does and fawns guarded by a single handsome buck. The females and youngsters trotted nervously away from the road but the buck reacted quite differently to me.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
With the herd behind him he turned to face me defiantly. He was on the right side of my pickup and when I opened the passenger-side window I heard him snort at me through the fog several times. This proud buck was very protective of his harem and he watched me intensely.
Foggy images don’t appeal to everyone and I often pass on taking shots similar to this but something about the scene told me to go for it. I twisted in my seat and fired off two bursts through the window to my right (hand-holding the 500mm lens) in the hopes of getting at least one sharp shot in these very difficult conditions. I liked this one best.
When the does and fawns were at a safe distance the buck turned away from me and rejoined the herd.
Ron
I like his defiance, fog or not!
Beautiful. Stunning. I’m running our of words, Ron… Please keep these masterpieces coming!
Gorgeous portrait!
I actually REALLY like this image for many reasons Ron–tells a great story, love the lighting and the animal is spectacular. Thanks for sharing 😉
He is a handsome fellow. I too enjoy fog. I like the shot.
I love the mystery and the elegance of fog. Photographing in it has always been an epic fail though.
The pride and beauty of the protector you captured is amazing.
Fog is sometimes fun to work with but not to drive in, love those eyelashes.
I love fog shots…there’s a very pleasing oriental quality to them. I was once challenged similarily by a BIG , black bison bull, standing in the middle of the road, protecting his ladies and their little red babies…very, very scary! Although he threatened to charge, he never did and finally, with one last snort and shake of his horns (2 miles across from tip to tip), spun around and trotted after his herd. I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt something nibbling at my elbow through the open window, but it turned out to be a battle scarred, old, white donkey…looking for a handout. He apparently hung out with the bison… like some kind of white counterpoint. Everybody needs somebody and I guess that was the best the little guy could do….
No wonder he has such a large harem—SO handsome and brave into the bargain–those “girls” got a good deal with this gorgeous guy !
Beautiful shot. “You shall not pass!”
I never miss a post, and even though I do not always comment on each, and every one
of your images, I love all of them. You are a gifted, and inspiring teacher, and
one hell of a good nature photographer… Yes Ron, you are my hero… ;-)))
I love this handsome buck, Ron!! Are you sure he was trying to threaten you? I’m wondering if he was posing for you having heard of your photographic skills!! What do you think?? I also agree with you about fog when photographing something. I love lighthouses & have visited over 300 taking many photos of each. I enjoy the ones with blue sky & sunshine but have several that to get any photo of the lighthouse it would have to be in fog. My two favorites were Montauk on Long Island and Pigeon Point in CA. They some how seem more real since that’s one of reasons they were built!! In fact at Montauk the fog horn building was quite close & was giving off it’s forlorn warning. AWESOME!!
Nice to hear the background to your amazing photos, Ron!
What a beauty. And yes, those eyelashes!!! Wish someone would defend me like that!
Simply stunning!!
I like foggy shots, but what can a man not like about foggy shots spending much of his youth on the coast of Maine!!
Great shot Ron, a defiant male protecting his harem, wonderful image! And, what a good looking buck!
“what a good looking buck!”
Agreed, Dick. This guy was in his prime and it showed.
Just Lovely Ron,
Love the frontal view…. especially the handsome markings on his chest and neck, and those long eyelashes.
Thank you, Nancy. Those eyelashes really stand out, don’t they?