paigehill_7661

Flying Fox

Taken in Hayden Valley, Wyoming. © 2015 Bionic Cowgirl Designs.

Taken in Hayden Valley, Wyoming. © 2015 Bionic Cowgirl Designs.
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Jul, 2015

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115

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Awards

Zenith Award

Creative Winter Award

Curator's Selection

Way To Go

Top Choice

+17

Superb Composition

+16

Outstanding Creativity

+14

Absolute Masterpiece

Superior Skill

Magnificent Capture

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Behind The Lens

Location

After my second orthopedic surgery on my leg, I decided to celebrate by doing an American photo safari in Yellowstone National Park in May 2015. Driving through the park I encountered a typical Yellowstone traffic jam in Lamar Valley and saw this young fox trot across the road into a meadow, hunting for voles.

Time

This was roughly 3pm in the afternoon after driving into the west entrance.

Lighting

I caught this guy probably at the brightest time of day, around 3pm and there was hardly a cloud in the bright blue sky.

Equipment

This shot took some spur of the moment preparation. Since I was in my Subaru Outback driving into the park, I already had my Canon rebel XTi set up with my 200 mm ultrasonic lens in case I saw something worth shooting from the road. I was without a tripod, and the little fox was so close to my car I didn't want to spook him. So I quietly got out of the parked car, opened the door and used it as a screen and my mirror as a tripod. I was following him as he hopped on to a rock and he craned his head listening for prey in the tall grass. I caught him mid pounce in this picture. A lucky case of being in the right place at the right time!

Inspiration

I was following this fox through a meadow across the street, crossing the main road and then as he hopped on to a rock and paused awhile. Then he craned his head listening for prey in the tall grass, I sat perched against my car waiting for him to jump. I caught him mid pounce in this picture and then gobbling down a vole. A lucky case of being in the right place at the right time!

Editing

I did very little in terms of post processing. If anything I toned down the brightness and upped the saturation slightly in Photoshop so you could see how green the grass was.

In my camera bag

I specialize in nature and equine photography. Because I'm out all day on my feet, and shoot lots of action shots, I rarely bring a tri pod. I'll use a rock, fence post, or in this case my car.

Feedback

Always have a backup battery, your best lens, and stay as prepared and invisible as possible. Wait for the right moment, it will pay off!

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paigehill_7661

paigehill_7661

Flying Fox

Taken in Hayden Valley, Wyoming. © 2015 Bionic Cowgirl Designs.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow paigehill_7661

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