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Contest Finalist in Wildlife Friends Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Our Natural Planet Photo Contest
Honorable Mention in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 9
Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 9
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Romania, one of only few countries where the European Bison still exists. They were almost extinct after the WWI but now they are making a slow comeback in Romania, Ucraina, Poland and Belarus.Time
I wanted to go the the reservation where you can find this wonderful beasts for some time but I was waiting for the first snow. I really wanted to get some shots with the bisons in the fresh white snow so when I sow the forecast I set my alarm clock for the next morning at 4 AM and headed to catch the first light at the reservation.Lighting
I wanted to use the soft light of the morning and I was lucky to get some fresh snow that night. It was still snowing a bit when I got there. I knew the bisons were active in the morning so I found a good spot where they come out of the forest to look for food and waited.Equipment
For this shot I used a Canon 5D Mk II + Canon 70-300L ISInspiration
I love these animals. The European Bison or as we call it in Romania, Zimbru, is one of our national symbols. It's featured in folk songs and legends and it's part of our culture. There are only few European Bison left in the world, but they are fighting for survival. Excessive hunting led to near extinction. Now the European Bison is making a slow comeback in protected arias. In Romania there are 4 or 5 protected arias where they can reproduce without the danger of hunting and I hope that in my life time I will get to see them roam free in big herds over the hills. I went the one of the reservations hoping to get a photo of a bison in the fresh snow. I waited in the cold morning in the snow for them to come out of the forest. I was lucky and soon a small herd of 12-15 bison came out looking for food. As I watched them, two young males started to fight. It was truly awesome. You could feel their power as they hit each other. Soon a bigger male came and ended the fight but I got a few shots and this is one of them.Editing
I kept the processing to a minimum, as the light was perfect for this type of shot.In my camera bag
I usually carry my old friend, the Canon 5D Mk II, the Canon 16-35mm L, and the 70-300mm L. I also carry filters, extra batteries, cables, etc.Feedback
To photograph wildlife you need to be patient. Very patient. And lucky :) If you want a good shot you will need to persevere. I went to the reservation 3 times to get this shot. The third time everything went great. The light was good, the show was fresh and white, the animals came out of the forest...it was perfect.