Early spring buck Pronghorn portrait – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was able to get out into the field yesterday morning and while I was on Antelope Island State Park I took a series of spring buck Pronghorn photos. It had been a long time since I was close enough to take any Pronghorn photos and to my delight I was able to take portraits of him at first.
In this photo the background is the dry lake bed of the Great Salt Lake. Not that many years ago I would have had water in the background at this same location. Our amazing hypersaline lake is drying up though. I won’t go into all the reasons why it is drying up this morning because it upsets me.
Spring buck Pronghorn close up – Nikon D500, f8, 1/3200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the buck Pronghorn turned around to head across the road I was able to take this portrait of him that had the shadow of his left horn on his right horn. It was about the same time that I took this image that I noticed that the buck was shedding his thick winter coat.
Spring buck Pronghorn starting to shed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the Pronghorn buck walked across the road I was able to take full body images of his out in the grasses on the west side of the road.
I truly enjoyed having this buck Pronghorn in my viewfinder yesterday morning. Even though finding and photographing birds is my primary focus when I am in the field I love taking photos of the other creatures I find too.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Pronghorn photos plus facts and information about this species.
Terrific pics. Along with your bird images, I think your animal images, like these, really define your skill. The color, detail, use of light and composition of each shot speaks to your skill as a wildlife photographer. I look forward to your posts every day. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful images! I am having to track you down again, thank heavens for email notice.
Beautiful set, Mia! I was at Bear River MBR yesterday and should have stopped at Antelope Island on the way home.
What an amazing series. I am so very glad that you were close enough for portraiture. And ache for the disappearing lake.
Wow, to have it so close as to take portraits would be thrilling.