Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
www.ross.no
These clumsy and fat mammals on land are amazingly fast and agile in the ocean! This encounter ...
Read more
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
www.ross.no
These clumsy and fat mammals on land are amazingly fast and agile in the ocean! This encounter by the Seven Islands, Svalbard is from a zodiac, and they swam towards us to check us out as if this was a strange and much larger than usual member of their species. They even swam underneath the zodiac, but never did they try to intimidate or seemed nervous by our presence.
They are so large and powerful that even the polar bear will not attack a healthy walrus, unless a young is all alone. The tusks powered by their bulk (up to 2,000 kg) is enough to kill a polar bear (up to 700 kg).
It was hard to keep track and shoot, as they popped up in new places like whack-a-moles!
As with most wildlife, humans hunted this species almost to extinction, but is now growing steadily in numbers due to several decades of protection. This picture is also a great example of this as you see three different age groups – a sign of reproduction.
Despite this, the walrus is still a vulnerable species.
Read less
www.ross.no
These clumsy and fat mammals on land are amazingly fast and agile in the ocean! This encounter by the Seven Islands, Svalbard is from a zodiac, and they swam towards us to check us out as if this was a strange and much larger than usual member of their species. They even swam underneath the zodiac, but never did they try to intimidate or seemed nervous by our presence.
They are so large and powerful that even the polar bear will not attack a healthy walrus, unless a young is all alone. The tusks powered by their bulk (up to 2,000 kg) is enough to kill a polar bear (up to 700 kg).
It was hard to keep track and shoot, as they popped up in new places like whack-a-moles!
As with most wildlife, humans hunted this species almost to extinction, but is now growing steadily in numbers due to several decades of protection. This picture is also a great example of this as you see three different age groups – a sign of reproduction.
Despite this, the walrus is still a vulnerable species.
Read less
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Contest Finalist in Moments In Time Photo Contest
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award
Contest Finalist in Colossal Wildlife Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife And Water Photo Contest
Runner Up in Big Mammals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Big Mammals Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Wildlife Portraits Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Powerful Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Celebrating Nature Photo Contest Vol 2
Featured
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 27 Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Compositions 101 Photo Contest vol2
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
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MaryAnne306
March 09, 2017
What a wonderful photo! Congratulations on all your awards--well-deserved. Great description, too--thanks.
Pamelabole
March 10, 2017
Hahaha.....those faces!!!, I just love this!!! Amazing capture....lucky you to have such a thrilling experience!!!! Congrats on your finalist award!!!! : )
Pegertler
January 11, 2018
Masterful in every way. I’m guessing you’re a biologist by profession or interest. Your write up is informative and accurate and enhances an already magnificent image.
marcam10
May 16, 2018
Superb wildlife image …wonderful focus and clarity. Those little drops falling from the moustache a beautiful detail. so glad you have mentioned the revival of this once endangered animal. : )
geddersfitz
June 06, 2018
Absolutely brilliant picture, the focus and detail is awesome, very talented photographer
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Seven Islands, Svalbard, from a zodiac @80°41'16.8"N 20°52'46.3"E.Time
July 26, 2016 17:54.Lighting
An overcast, windy day with flat light.Equipment
Nikon D4S, AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1:4G ED + Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II @ 700mm/ƒ/6.3/1/640s/ISO 125 Gitzo GT5542LS Systematic tripod WIMBERLEY Head Version IIInspiration
I was hoping to encounter some walrus during my trip around Svalbard, bu that is by no means a guarantee. The weather can be extremely windy, the walrus can have moved to unknown locations - it is after all wild life. I encountered a group on land and was hoping to get some shots of them, but out of the blue several walrus popped out of the ocean like whack-a-moles and I was barely able to get this shot before they were all gone and continued on our way to the shore to take a look at the group there.Editing
Very little processing: Lighten shadows Decrease whites Some adjustments to yellows, oranges and blues Very light sharpeningIn my camera bag
Nikon D4 & D4s AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 G ED Nikon 800mm f/5.6E AF-S VR Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II Nikon Speedlight SB-910 WIMBERLEY Head Version II Gitzo GT5542LS Systematic tripod Formatt Hitech Firecrest 13 & 20 ND filters di-GPS Eco ProFessional M GPS units Zeiss lens wipes Fibercloth Eyelead sensor gel stick for sensor cleaningFeedback
Photographing wildlife from a zodiac is very challenging when using a long lens like I did here and requires some training to know where you are relative to the subject that is constantly moving and the waves rocking the zodiac. But with it you get amazingly intimate captures. I have now upgraded to an 800mm which gives me even more reach. My Wimberley Head Version II and Gitzo GT5542LS Systematic tripod are my life savers, as the gimbal responds to my every move and gives me full control and stability.