{"id":26253,"date":"2014-08-29T05:34:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-29T11:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.featheredphotography.com\/blog\/?p=26253"},"modified":"2014-08-29T05:34:00","modified_gmt":"2014-08-29T11:34:00","slug":"long-tailed-weasel-in-a-rock-pile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/29\/long-tailed-weasel-in-a-rock-pile\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-tailed Weasel In A Rock Pile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weasels are among the most interesting and challenging subjects I’ve ever photographed.\u00a0 This one, from yesterday morning, fit the bill on both counts.<\/p>\n

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\"long-tailed<\/p>\n

\u00a01\/2500, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited or set up<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There were two weasels\u00a0in the pile of rocks and debris but I only got glimpses of one of them.\u00a0 Conditions were about as challenging as they come with harsh sidelight and high contrast among the deep shadows and white rocks and following this little mustelid as it hunted for prey in the crannies and\u00a0crevices was about like trying to track greased lightning.\u00a0 But dang it was fun!<\/p>\n

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\"long-tailed<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a01\/2000, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited or set up<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In 15 minutes I never did see the weasel catch prey but it wasn’t for lack of trying.\u00a0 The setting was often cluttered but I liked this nonchalant leaning pose as the weasel scanned for voles and predators.<\/p>\n

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\"red-tailed<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a01\/1600, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM, not baited or set up or called in<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Once, when this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk cruised by, it was fascinating to watch the dramatic change in demeanor of the weasel from fierce and confident predator to vulnerable and cautious potential prey.\u00a0 In an instant the tables had been temporarily turned and it was obvious that the weasel knew it.<\/p>\n

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\"long-tailed<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a01\/3200, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited or set up<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The long body and tail (the species is well-named) make it very difficult to avoid clipping the tail and at the same time\u00a0get the rest of the body in the frame and sharp with a long lens.\u00a0 Its maneuvers through the rocks and crevices meant that its face and body were often partially covered with\u00a0spider webs and other debris.\u00a0 Here you see\u00a0some of it below its left ear.<\/p>\n

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\"long-tailed<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a01\/1600, f\/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited or set up<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though I’m always<\/em> on the lookout for them, in the eight years I’ve been photographing birds I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had reasonably good opportunities with weasels so this encounter was a welcome one.\u00a0 And following this little speedster with my lens as it ran over and through the rocks was a great test of (and practice for) my skills.\u00a0\u00a0 I had a blast!<\/p>\n

Ron<\/p>\n

If you’re interested here’s three other weasel posts I’ve done in the past:<\/em><\/p>\n