Coyote stare – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
For the most part yesterday I photographed the furry animals of Antelope Island State Park starting off with a pack of three coyotes just waking up from the night with golden light shining on them. One of the coyotes got up, gave me a stare, stretched and then laid back down again.
Injured Coyote resting in grasses – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
One of the coyotes laying down was an injured coyote I had seen and photographed two days before closer to the park entrance, the coyotes nose was swollen but it looked a bit better than it had on the 16th. It looks rather painful to me.
Profile of an injured Coyote – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
This is what the coyote’s nose looked like on the 16th where the injury looked fresh. The coyotes on the island act like they are also starting to think about breeding and during that time there are fights for mates. Coyotes will grab whatever they can when they are fighting and I suspect that this one had its muzzle bitten and will probably bear the scars for the rest of its life.
Coyote resting in the grasses – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
Another one of the coyotes just seemed to be enjoying the warming rays of the sun. They are such beautiful creatures even when most of their body is hidden. Besides, I feel like I can never have enough coyote images. Ever.
American Bison cow scratching her neck – Nikon D810, f10, 1/800, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
The bison were on the move yesterday and I saw herds in many locations on the island. There was a herd of about 30 in one area that were close enough to photograph, some times they were too close to do full body images so I opted to take some close ups. This cow was scratching her neck on a boulder and I liked the look she had on her face.
You might have noticed I didn’t included my ISO with my techs and the reason for that is that I don’t think I am getting accurate readings when I view my file properties. I know I wasn’t shooting at ISO 900 on one of the coyotes shots but that is what my file properties say. ISO 900 isn’t even an ISO I can select, nor is ISO 560. I must have inadvertently changed a setting some where and now I need to figure out how to get it back where I want it.
Anyway, life is good.
Mia
Beautiful shots of the coyotes and the Bison Mia. Do you think the injury on the one coyote is from a bite of some sort or possibly a bullet? It looks pretty bad. Any thoughts? Glad you discovered the auto ISO problem 😉
Great series of photos and associated narrative
I love the intense look and beauty of the coyote in your first image. His intelligence shines through. Coyotes are beautiful animals. They are moving east and a few have made their way to Central Park. I find this (happily) exciting.
The weather is so strange these days. I am sorry you’re not enjoying a good winter. Since January we’ve had light blanketings of snow on Long Island and the temperature has been perfect. I completely understand your worry about what summer will bring. With the changes in weather patterns extremes are becoming the norm.
I agree that you can’t have too many coyote images. They are a truly beautiful animal.
MIA,
Is it possible the ISO has been switched to auto?
Really enjoying your winter images. Its so cold and snow covered up here in Ontario these days!
But yes, life is good! Glen
Glen,
After I published my post this morning I checked and sure enough I had accidentally turned on auto ISO. Got that fixed now!
I have followed your weather in Ontario and have been a little envious of the snow you have gotten. It hasn’t truly been winter here and today it is supposed to get to 62°F, way warmer than it should be. We are going to have problems here this summer if this warm trend continues.
The Coyote resting in grass is a beautiful animal. See if you accidentally turned auto ISO on. I get ISO numbers like yours when auto iso is on. Also, if it is on, you may be able to see AUTO ISO ON in the viewfinder when taking a shot.
Thanks Dave. I love those Coyotes!
After I published my post this morning I checked and sure enough I had accidentally turned on auto ISO. Got that fixed now!