p.1 #1 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Since Thang posted a couple of shots from Sunday evening's encounter with the Bobcat and his prey, the "cat's out of the bag" on that encounter. So, here's my offering from the same outing. I was wrapping up a slow Osprey day at El Dorado, but was able to join Thang on his Bobcat safari at SJWS on the way home. Thanks, Thang! I owe you big time!
Get ready for another long story, boys and girls.
This Bobcat captured a Coot, only to have it escape three times. At certain points during this encounter, it got really comical as I watched the Coot at ground level run towards me with its wings flapping and pass by me just a foot and a half away. And a few seconds later, have the Bobcat do the same.
#1 Bobcat emerging out of the brush with his prey. The lighting was harsh where the openings in the brush cast streaks of strong light.
The Coot escapes and they blow by me on a narrow trail just a foot and a half away. Working with slow shutter speed due to low light, I didn't have keepers of this due to motion blur.
#7 The action was fast and furious. Working with a 300 mm fixed lens proved too much at this distance. Couldn't keep them both in the frame. Things happening too fast to try and back up during this sequence.
#13 The stand-off. Who'll blink first? (I had a shot after this where he's licking his chops with the tounge out, but a stalk of grass is going across his right eye. )
I guess the Coot blinked first because there was a quick chase and a cloud of dust when he got snagged. Couldn't freeze the action due to the slow shutter speed so ended up recording motion blurs.
#14 Making sure that the Coot is dead this time. Notice the limp neck.
I don't think I'll ever get an opportunity like this again. And that kills me because this encounter exposed the shortcommings of both my equipment and skill.
Shooting with my D2X, I stayed with an ISO of 400. (Kept my aperature at 4-4.5 for most of the series for a respectable DOF. Shutter speeds went from around 1/160 in the sunny part of the trail to 1/80 or so in the shaded parts. Thank goodness for VR). I've been wanting a D3 for the high ISO for just this type of situation.
Skill-wise, it was tight with a fixed focal lens and fast action, but I didn't mange to keep both the Coot and Bobcat in the frame. Reflex not fast enough. Old age or just lack of skill?
I guess I'll just have to kick myself over and over for a long time to come.
Well, once again thanks for staying with me on a long story.
p.1 #6 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Just a fantastic series. The story enhances the photographs.
There is something very moving about the last photo in the series, with long
and winding road fading into the distance. To me it says "I am on my way home with the rewards of a hard day."
p.1 #8 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
fantastic sequence Ken. Man you got some awesome looks on this encounter.
btw, the difference between f/2.8 and f/4 is not that much Ken in terms of DOF. If your lens is sharp at wide open, I would not hesitate to shoot at f/2.8 for situations like this -- give that a try.
p.1 #10 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Really enjoyed this series. Don`t be so hard on yourself relating to the technical aspect. This is very entertaining photography. Much more so than perfect photos of nothing, if you know what I mean. Take care. Bob
p.1 #11 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Wonderful Series, this is such a rarely seen let alone photographed part of nature that to have you witness this and share it with us is really stupendous.
I think you did very well! I really like numbers 6 and 10 and then the last is my favorite of all
Larry
p.1 #12 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Ken,
this is a great set. You did well. I would have missed all of it. My reflexes are so bad.
Get the D3s - will do even better in low light.
I can handle Bobcat shots - no raccoon shots can be handled at this point. And I'm glad there's no blood etc - because I can't take any of that at this point either.
This is a great set & you did well.
Lil
Nov 18, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Martin Good Offline • • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #13 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
I think you captured some great action here Ken. Good to reflect on what you might have done better, learn from it and move on to the next shot. Enjoyed your narrative too!
Martin
p.1 #14 · Cat's (Bobcat) outta da bag! (Coot, too!)
Wow great action series Ken, I was cheering for the old coot all the way. You have some wonderful individual shots as well as a great story. 4 and 12 are my favourites.
Things happening too fast to try and back up during this sequence. 
