Frosty Pronghorn

[Teton Chuck]

This buck pronghorn was on the National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole. The temperature was quite cold which resulted in the ice on his ears and hair.

[Nicks Pics]

Very nice shot Chuck. Brrr, what chilly ears! How close were you here or what was the lens length?

[KHarmon]

I'm with Nicks Pics on this one. I have stalked and hunted prong horns in New Mexico in years past. You were either shooting a really long lens or got incredibly lucky to get that close. All the guys I chased around New Mexico were skittish and could see , hear, and smell us from a million miles away.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Suzan J]

Hello Chuck: This is a nice portrait with a lovely blurred background. Poor little fellow needs a hat.

[terrib]

Very nice portrait, Chuck! I, too, have never gotten close enough to get a good shot of a Pronghorn, long lens or not. Great job!

[Downrigger]

Very nice, Chuck. Great shot and well-presented.

[FrankMi]

Simply beautiful!

To what do you attest your ability to get in this close and not have the Pronghorn looking at you? Are they not feeling threatened in the refuge or are these specific animals familiar with your presence Chuck?

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks to all for the comments. To answer some of your questions. The animal in this shot was probable between 35 and 40 yards away. I took it with a 400 mm lens. There were 61 pronghorn in the herd. Most of them were over 100 yards away. I used my car as a blind. I saw what direction they were moving, then parked the car along the side of the road and waited for them to come by. I placed a bean bag in the window and hand held the camera. After a bit another car pulled up behind me, the people got out, and that was the end of the photography.

These pronghorn are not used to people being nearby. They are part of a herd of about 100 that failed to migrate out of Jackson Hole in the fall. Now they are trapped in a place where the snow can get very deep. In the past, most of the pronghorn that do not migrate die during the winter. I hope that is not the fate of the animals. I am always careful not to cause the animals I photograph in the winter to move because of me. They are on a very tight energy budget.

I have a few more shots I can post if anyone is interested.

[Wavelength]

Very very nice

[NorthernFocus]

Nice shot, Chuck. I'm always amazed how wildlife make it in extreme weather. Poor guy.

[FrankMi]

Thanks to all for the comments. To answer some of your questions. The animal in this shot was probable between 35 and 40 yards away. I took it with a 400 mm lens. There were 61 pronghorn in the herd. Most of them were over 100 yards away. I used my car as a blind. I saw what direction they were moving, then parked the car along the side of the road and waited for them to come by. I placed a bean bag in the window and hand held the camera. After a bit another car pulled up behind me, the people got out, and that was the end of the photography.

These pronghorn are not used to people being nearby. They are part of a herd of about 100 that failed to migrate out of Jackson Hole in the fall. Now they are trapped in a place where the snow can get very deep. In the past, most of the pronghorn that do not migrate die during the winter. I hope that is not the fate of the animals. I am always careful not to cause the animals I photograph in the winter to move because of me. They are on a very tight energy budget.

I have a few more shots I can post if anyone is interested.

How you obtained that shot is very interesting and I'd very much love to see your other images Chuck!

[csa mt]

Chuck, lovely shot indeed! I'm with you about stressing animals by our presence in the winter. They need every bit of energy they have, simply to survive; and if we cause them to panic & run, unfortunately that uses up the energy they so desperately need. Thanks for being kind to them, even if the others behind you were not!

[IzzieK]

This is a very beautiful shot, as usual coming from you forage...and yes, I am with the fan club of those wanting to see more of what you shot that day...

[Rita]

A very beautiful image. Like your strategy on how you took the shot.