The last time I had this much attention focused on me, I was taking media calls during a crisis affecting my former company. Let me explain.
The lowering sun finally brought out a mule buck to a distant ridge. It was just the two of us on a quiet nite. He focused intently while I found a space between the trees to shoot. After a long gaze, he slowly wandered off into the bush.
I quickly moved to the other side of the ridge and found him again. He watched me closely as I took more photos.
Though he was quite far off it became almost uncomfortable as he stood motionless staring me down. This was definitely gawking. Nevertheless, the experience was much more enjoyable than answering probing media questions. It definitely helps to be on the fun side of the camera lens!
The setting sun soon disappeared and I decided it was time to do the same.
Later as I was driving, the thot occurred to me that perhaps I was a little vain. Truth be told I had never looked behind me to see if there was a fine-looking doe strutting her stuff. I guess I’ll never know.
GuillaumeGuillaume says:
It’s excellent !
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lylekrahn says:
Thank you.
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mflahertyphoto says:
Great shots of a really fine specimen Lyle. Beautiful light on his flanks especially on the second one.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. I was so fortunate to part of that beautiful scene – the light was just gorgeous and I was hoping to capture some part of it.
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Seenorway says:
I particularly fancied the last picture in the serie! Beautiful!
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lylekrahn says:
I was so pleased that he waited so I could get the last few shots in before darkness – fun evening. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Seenorway says:
Patience is a nessessary virtue being a nature photographer, I think –
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lylekrahn says:
Yes and I could l do with more of it but I’m slowly getting better.
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grizzliesview says:
OH WOWwwwWWWW!!!!! Outstanding Captures – Just really GREAT!! I recently returned from a trip out to capture some Mule Deer shots; They are not always easily photographed! These are great! Love the silhouette shots! Great adventure!!
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much. Perhaps if I knew more about animal behaviour it wouldn’t seem this way, but it their skittishness seems so inconsistent. So when they pose, I just take it.
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Ian Beattie says:
Great series of shots
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks – it was fun to be there to capture it.
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melodylowes says:
Maybe your apparel was ravishing? 🙂 Most likely it was the World Record buck standing just behind your left shoulder – too bad you never turned around….
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lylekrahn says:
The ravishing apparel is an amusing thot! Next time I’m definitely turning around.
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mekala rodrigo says:
Lovely colours and captures. 🙂
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. The sunset was quite beautiful that nite.
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sagescenery says:
Very majestic…beautiful shots!!!
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. He was polite enough to pose so nicely for me.
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photographybycalliec says:
Awesome shots, looks a bit cold over there. The set of images create a sense of being there,till the sun disappeared with the silhouette ending the series. Excellent
Cheers callie
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. I’m guessing it’s certainly a lot colder than Australia but when the sun is shining and there’s no wind it can still be beautiful to be out taking photos.
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photographybycalliec says:
Yes its been 43 for the past few days,at least in the cool you can layer up with warm clothes. The snow adds beauty to photos.
Cheers Callie
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lylekrahn says:
Yikes – 43 is too way too hot for me. Try to stay cool.
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Ad-libb3d says:
Fantastic shots, especially the third amidst the setting sun. Well captured, sir.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much. Appreciate you stopping by.
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under the skies of arkansas says:
lol there probably was a fine-looking doe strutting her stuff
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lylekrahn says:
I’m going with that theory – it’s more fun.
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Mark Young says:
Great shots.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much – appreciate the comment.
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Phil Lanoue says:
Wow did you ever get the hard Double Os!! What an intent look on this magnificent animal!
Super images, that last one especially is a stunner!
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lylekrahn says:
High praise coming from you! He definitely had me locked in – at least that way I didn’t end up with a butt shot.
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FeyGirl says:
What a beautiful experience… Such a gorgeous, magnificent creature.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks – it was a real please to share his company. I wish the sun could have stayed at sunset mode for longer.
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Adeline Berg says:
That is awesome! Were you never afraid? He could have made mince meat out of you (I know, a bad cliche’!). These pictures remind me of the time when we were driving back to Clear Lake from Audy Lake. It was already quite dark. We came upon a huge-racked moose who was traveling down the road in the same direction. Finally he stopped, heaved that huge rack around to stare at us as if to say, this is my territory. We decided to back up – kept doing so until we no longer could see his eyes warning us to leave, waited a while and gingerly drove hopefully past his territory. It was quite an experience!
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lylekrahn says:
A bull moose is definitely not a creature to underestimate. Interesting story. We encountered a buffalo one time that stood his ground in the middle of the road – we didn’t claim the right of way. In this case I was never afraid – too busy trying to get the shot but then I was a lot further away than what it appears in the photos.
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hannele says:
“fun side of the camera lens”, well said. 😀 the photos are incredible! beautiful light and beautiful animal. the silhouette might be my favourite… thanks for sharing!
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lylekrahn says:
Yes it’s much more fun taking the photos! I was pleased to get three quite different photos out of the relatively short encounter. Thanks for commenting.
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Gunta says:
Nice rack.
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lylekrahn says:
It is. Thanks for stopping by.
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Beth says:
Beautiful light, beautiful animal, and great compositions!
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much. It was a thrill to be there to catch the moment.
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rachel bar says:
Not sure what I enjoy more, the photos or your post titles. Great!
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lylekrahn says:
I’m glad you think they both measure up. It’s fun playing around with them.
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Mike Powell says:
Your photos amaze me and your prose amuses me. Who could ask for anything more? Such a beautiful animal and such beautiful light–and you showcased them both wonderfully.
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lylekrahn says:
Who could ask for a higher compliment? After finding the porcupine earlier in the afternoon I made one more pass to see if there was a buck and was so fortunate to find this guy in great light.
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TBM says:
Wonderful photos. Animals–wouldn’t you love to know what they’re thinking.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. I would love to know what they’re thinking but since I don’t I get the fun of making it up!
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vanbraman says:
I like the second picture the best. I especially like the sun reflecting off the body of the deer.
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lylekrahn says:
That is my favourite too. The light was more beautiful than the photo in that moment.
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eclectic faerie says:
beautiful! funny thought about the doe, wonder if they met up later?
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks. Let’s just say they did meet up and maybe pick up the story another time!
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MikeW says:
Yep, showed your prose on this one too. Nicely written in addition to the usual sterling photography. Looked like he might charge there for a moment!
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lylekrahn says:
Really appreciate the comments. Hmm – never thot about charging! They are usually in so much hurry to get away.
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yourothermotherhere says:
The photos are absolutely fabulous. The commentary spot on. The last line? Perfect.
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lylekrahn says:
Thanks so much – I certainly enjoyed the experience. The last line was a late addition that seemed to work out.
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yourothermotherhere says:
It did–very well!
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artsifrtsy says:
Awesome shots! I am surprised at how often they make eye contact – he’s gorgeous.
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lylekrahn says:
He is gorgeous and I really didn’t mind the eye contact! I’m assuming since he was a long way off, he was probably trying to figure out what was going on with relatively poor eyesight. Glad you liked it.
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