stefanozocca
FollowYoung female Ibex on the fork of Disteis (2,200 m), near the top of the Jof di Montasio (Friuli, Italy). The occasion was a trip with my third son (I have 4 ......
Read more
Young female Ibex on the fork of Disteis (2,200 m), near the top of the Jof di Montasio (Friuli, Italy). The occasion was a trip with my third son (I have 4 ...), a trip that had to be quiet and without surprises and instead has turned into one of the most exciting days of my life. The photo was taken leaning on the crest of the saddle: these beautiful animals had fun running on the edge of the ledges ...
Read less
Read less
Views
14222
Likes
Awards
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Legendary Award
Winner in Animals in Their Environment Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Animals And Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest
Featured
People's Choice in Wild Animals in Habitat Photo Challenge
People's Choice in More than 200 Peer Awards Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Unconventional Perspectives Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Standing On The Edge Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Art of Wildlife Photography Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Lifes Largest Moments Photo Contest
Runner Up in Rule Of Thirds Photography Contest
Contest Finalist in Rule Of Thirds Photography Contest
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Jaw Dropping
Great Find
Genius
Virtuoso
One Of A Kind
Love it
Top Ranks
Categories
scruffyherbert
November 21, 2013
This is a belting shot. Absolutely fantastic and well done for being a finalist. Great, great shot.
Firtreemanor
November 22, 2013
You could wait a lifetime for a shot like that... Glad you didn't have too! Nice Job!
AndyIves
November 24, 2013
Stunning shot. As an inexperienced mountaineer I have been fortunate enough to have seen a few shots like this of Chamois but never been quick enough to operate with the camera. The Ibex seems to be saying "Follow me if you dare"
dawnwiesinger
November 25, 2013
I love the this capture, right place and right time. If this was a "happy accident" its a great example of the rule of thirds. You might try doing a little more post processing it would help give this image a little more impact. Good Job here!
jefflaidlaw
November 29, 2013
I dont even want to think about where you had to be standing for this one. Great shot, well done
mclaybaugh
December 07, 2013
I would have been so excited that I would have fallen out of the saddle. Congrats
CaptureLifeUK
July 04, 2014
Outstanding photograph, I have to disagree with a previous comment about adding more post processing to add impact! It's an ibex on the edge of a mountain ledge it's got all the visual impact it needs and then some exactly as it is!
Superb work and well deserved runner up and finalist positions...
Superb work and well deserved runner up and finalist positions...
kathleenweetman
August 12, 2014
Stunning and needs no additions..it is the complete package.The shot is amazing in its composition Stefano. I love it and have voted...good luck kathleen
ernestosantos
November 15, 2014
awesome shot! congrats. agree with previous comnents in that for me this one looks best without heavy post.
artifarti2012
December 13, 2014
Outstanding image...I love everything about it...the light and the hazy background...and how you have captured this beautiful animal balancing where it is....but it's that 'look' that I love the most, it's almost saying 'Are you still there?' Stunning! :-)
itsnickelwell
December 19, 2014
This is amazing! Not only the image but the story it tells! Beautiful capture Stefan!
PatricaK
February 07, 2015
This is such an amazing photo. The look on his/her face. Great shot. Thanks for sharing your story.
gerrytaylor
February 13, 2015
Are you sure you were not a goat in your previous life!!!! To have captured this would have taken some skill, determination. Thanks for the photo.
DeniseBeverly
February 27, 2015
This shot reminds me of an old favorite book, Hinds Feet on High Places. excellent shot, I may have commented before, I cannot remember.
TraceElementsPhotography
March 14, 2015
This photo is deserving of winning the "Standing on the Edge" contest! I can't imagine any other photo better and more appropriate for the subject than this! So happy for you to have had this opportunity.
modelmeemaw
August 20, 2015
oh wow...I would never get this shot, too afraid of heights! It really is outstanding!
thrimage
August 21, 2015
how the ****.. These things must have wings.. Tip one: Never follow a mountian goat.
Nitka
April 04, 2016
Wow! What a shot! Amazing!...:-) Congratulations on your latest win! well deserved..:-)
oliviagalls
October 16, 2016
This is a stunning image, and perfectly portrays animals in their environment, amazing image!
oskarkunt
January 28, 2022
Youtube > "Ibex defies gravity" // Thanks for all the additional information!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
The fork of Disteis, about 2,200 meters near the top of the Jof di Montasio in Friuli, Venezia Giulia, Italy / 46°25?N 13°25?ETime
Early afternoon.Lighting
The day was presented immediately with low clouds and a little sun. I waited a few rays famished in the clouds to take the picture.Equipment
Nikon D800, Nikkor AI 135 mm XIF settings: 1/1600 s, f/8, ISO 400 I want to point out that this is a 70s lens, not an autofocus.Inspiration
This shot was the highlight of a beautiful day up on the mountains with my 13-year-old son Pietro. On that saddle, I knew I had the opportunity to admire these beautiful creatures — the Ibex. I decided to take my son with me to let him experience the thrill of meeting these wild animals in their natural environment. The ibex were particularly numerous and “sociable”. Naturally, I had with me all my camera equipment already. These animals walked towards the edges fast—without fear nor uncertainty, making everything look easy and absolutely not dangerous. But it was, and I was afraid for them! As soon as I realized this, I began to take pictures with my trusty Nikon and the fantastic AI 135mm. Prodded by my son, I safely positioned myself on the edge of the ravine so I could capture the ibex balancing on the narrow ledge above the abyss. Just as I was framing an ibex a few meters from me in the viewfinder, the ibex turns to me and stares at me—as if to check if I was following! That was the magic moment of the shot, and I thank Mother Nature for serving this moment up to me on a silver platter, and for allowing me to spend an unforgettable day in the company of my son.Editing
The only post-production treatment I did was to slightly increase the contrast and brightness to reduce the effect of haze.In my camera bag
My Nikon D800, and 3 Nikkor AI lens: 24mm 2,8 - 135mm f2,8 - 300mm f4,5. A monopod is always with me.Feedback
One of the things that I can recommend though is to carefully observe the behavior of the subject, to understand the best spot to portray them. That day, I took about fifty pictures of the ibex, but only one has left its mark, and it was one that more that I studied and tried. For the rest, I am a very “instinctive” photographer, and very sensitive to the type of light that is created at certain times of the day, or in the presence of particular weather conditions. Clouds are fundamental to me, for example.