There is something about being alone or hanging out on the edges.
It struck me the other day that there aren’t a lot of group shots of animals hanging around my computer. I obviously focus on individuals when I shoot wildlife. I wonder why?
Maybe it’s a hang over from trying to avoid the dreaded ‘grip and grin’ photos in my old public relations pursuits – the world definitely needs more photos of guys in dark suits and forced smiles hanging on to a big cheque! Or maybe it’s childhood memories of trying to sneak out of the obligatory family gathering shots.
Getting a group shot of people or animals to look good requires a special touch or the results are far worse than predictable.
I did find one interesting group shot of geese. But even then, it’s the gosling that broke out of formation that makes the photo for me.
I wonder which one of these geese is the interesting one?
I like to photograph the individuals that often hang out at the edges or walk alone on the trail.
Walking the trail alone.
I like to think they are more interesting ones – the outliers. Perhaps I am pursuing my own kind.
Here’s to the outliers … who find normal just a little boring.
A voracious appetite drove this young grizzly as he travelled alone.
Buffalo often seem to be alone even when they’re in a group.
Krahnpix 
Great pictures!
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Thanks so much. It was fun to take them.
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Everyone assumes that gosling is a male–why is that? Love the photo–the light, the color–they are just right to set off that little lone bird. My next favorite is the grizzly, for the individual and humorous facial expression you captured. Your favorite is the bison, but seeing in its face and body the strain of its struggle through that snow makes me very uncomfortable (maybe because I can tolerate snow’s beauty best when seen through the window of a cozy log cabin).
Now what was it that drew me to THIS post of yours in particular? (“Nyuk, nyuk”, she said in Three-Stoogese.)
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I didn’t notice the male assumption until you pointed it out. Amusing. As always, I am fascinated why people like different photos. The strain and struggle that made you uncomfortable actually drew me in – I am sometimes surprised when there is any agreement on photos. That, of course, leads back to the outlier theme – one that I keep coming back to and it seems we both enjoy. I appreciate the comments.
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Hey Lyle the first image is very Dances with Wolves
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Interesting – I never thot of it that way.
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Great captures you have there… but my favorite of the lot has to be the grizzly 🙂
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Thanks. I’m pretty partial to any Grizzly photo.
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Great shots, Lyle! I especially love the bison in the snow and the brown bear images. Awesome work.
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Thank you. I especially like the last bison shot – it was an impressive animal.
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Absolutely: great shot, great composition and beautiful animal in its prime. I love it.
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Such excellent wildlife images, and I think you’re on to something about being attracted to this type. I think group animal shots are often somewhat disorganized looking, except when they’re moving all with the same purpose, as in a migration.
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Thanks. I think loners and outliers will continue to be the way to go.
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I am the sort of person who gets along with everyone, but my favorite people, and my best friends, are the slightly eccentric ones. If I were a duck, I feel like I’d be friends with the one swimming off next to him mom. Great photo.
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Yes, I understand the attraction to the slightly eccentric ones. I have been able to live vicariously through many interesting people.
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Dear Lyle, Why have you left out that great shot of the hawk?That would have really made my day.Lovely shots my friend.Thanks a million.Regards, Ganesh.
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Glad you liked the shots. Since I used my best shot of a hawk on the last post, I didn’t want to repeat it again. I really like hawks so I’ll keep trying to get more.
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Such gorgeous portraits… It’s always fascinating to see and read about some members of certain species who decide, for whatever reason, to go it alone.
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Thanks. Yes it is interesting to see which ones go alone and which ones work together as a unit.
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I think individual shots show a bit more of the majesty, or personality of the animal – I don’t shoot a lot of groups either. It’s hard to get them all to line up and hold still 🙂
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So true. I like the way you describe the lining up and holding still part!
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They can be so uncooperative 🙂
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I love all your shots – but especially am drawn to the little gosling doing his own thing. I wonder if he;s a poetic type?? 🙂
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Oh you can count on it!!
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Great shots. It’s hard to imagine for me the patience you need to have yo take a good shot of wildlife as I have very little! 🙂
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Thanks. Patience is definitely not one of my virtues but I end up pursuing the shots I really like. Sometimes it happens quickly and sometimes there’s long droughts.
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Oh dear, the big check photo! Wow does that bring back memories of my local news photo days plus I also worked for a PR firm. The other one was the phony ‘blue print’ shot. Guys at a groundbreaking of some new building supposedly looking over blue prints of the project. Yikes!
Loved the pics and commentary. The buffalo in the snow is a stunner!
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Sorry to bring back the bad memories – I’m still trying to expunge mine!
Glad you liked the post – that buffalo was a special one for me.
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I love all the pictures, but the last one’s my favourite! The text below is great too 🙂 it’s sad and fun and true!
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Glad you liked the photos and text. The last photo is my favourite as well.
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Wow, amazing shots!!!
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Thank you – I appreciate that.
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Here’s to the rhythm of a different drummer!
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Normal is definitely over rated.
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Did you read the book? I love the light in the picture of the deer.
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Yes I enjoyed the book. I was fortunate to get that light on the deer – it was much different than the usual.
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Ok I’m partial to the grizzly!!! Hmmmm wonder why… But little gosling is so cute as well… Kodiak’s favorite color too…
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I agree. I’m partial to the grizzly as well but still like the others including that little gosling.
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These photos are incredible–they really reinforce the sense of rugged individualism that permeates your text (it’s not unique to Canada, but seems to be pervasive there, at least on the prairie). Your text reminds me of the old Apple advertising campaign entitled “Think Different.” Yes, I realize that the title has a grammatical error and should be “Think DIfferently,” but I have always loved the text of the commercial that aired as part of the campaign (and I have used a Mac computer since 1991)
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. But the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Here’s to the outlier and I am happy to count myself as one of them.
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Thanks. You brought back some fond memories with that ad text. It was particularly well put together and fun to listen to but then I have always been partial to Mac computers as well.
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Outstanding, Lyle! Outstanding, indeed!!!
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I appreciate that.
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Great photos , each and everyone of them ! But i fell in love, with the little geese swimming next to his mom. // Maria
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Thanks. When I was going through my photos again, the geese photo intrigued me. I had forgotten about that particular one.
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