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Community => Photo & Video => Topic started by: Bean Counter on September 25, 2010, 12:48:31 AM

Title: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Bean Counter on September 25, 2010, 12:48:31 AM: Well it happened today for the first time in my life as an outdoorsman--I found my way amidst several bull elk bugling and battling for territory. These photos taken in the White Mountains of Arizona. Just north of the Salt River Canyon. I had at least three bugling elk, and I found their watering hole. Nice that I could finally smell them for a change. The smaller satellite bull let me walk, nearly upright, camera in hand, to about 25 yards from him. Third bull was behind me, up on a cliff, and behind some trees. I probably interrupted what would have been an interesting fight.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Bean Counter on September 25, 2010, 12:53:21 AM: Any idea what the big boy would score? 330?
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Lowedog on September 25, 2010, 12:57:08 AM: Hard to tell with those pics but I think 330 would be conservative. Very cool to be among them when they are rutting!
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: boneaddict on September 25, 2010, 06:55:51 AM: I think 330 is a great conservative guess. Probably would tape a little better. FUN bean counter. I love that country down there.
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Bean Counter on September 25, 2010, 10:03:52 AM: Quote from: Lowedog on September 25, 2010, 12:57:08 AM
Hard to tell with those pics...

But what he's really trying to say is: Your camera sucks, Bean Counter!

LOL alright--better lenses on the way, I promise. These were with the wife's Canon Rebel XTi with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens.
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Decker on September 26, 2010, 01:48:17 AM: I have noticed with that lens that the auto focus can be somewhat inaccurate. (Don't get me wrong, I have one and it's a great unit, especially for the price.) If I had to guess though, I would not say that the lens is the cause of the blurriness. Even with a narrow depth of field at f/1.8 I don't think the auto focus is going to miss at that distance. Due to the same fuzziness on both pictures (and the nature of large antlered animals) I would say the culprit is most likely low light :yike: and the auto feature setting the exposure too long for a hand-held shot.

Really nice bull, and I would say 330 is definitely a good way to avoid ground-shrinkage. (I would guess he's in the 345-350 area)
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: Bean Counter on September 26, 2010, 09:44:31 AM: Thanks for the tips, Decker! I had plenty of time to switch to manual focus and try a few of those out so I will definitely do that next time.

I'd better take note, esp when I make a December trip to the Kaibab and photograph some Mullies in the rut. I can just imagine the :nono: :spank_butt: I'll get from Bone if I put up blurry pics of those!
Title: Re: Wet Dreams in the White Mountains
Post by: MtnMuley on September 28, 2010, 04:24:35 PM: Great pics Bean Counter. Solid 350 gross imo.