Spring Billy Goat

Spring Billy

Awesome shot. Love the head tilt and position. It is amazing the difference between the summer and winter coat. Looks like someone started taking a pair of shears to this guy.

That is a remarkable image, Tony! How close were you to the goat? I feel like I can reach out and touch him.

Lou

Glad you like it!

I was about 35 yards with a 120-300, 2.8 sigma hsm ex, on a tripod and foba super ballhead. . some goats, for about a month, frequent an area that is easy to access. They leave about now, when the nanny's start dropping their young of the year. I was in the same area yesterday and there were only four goats there, one nanny and her triplets from last year. She was not bread last fall, she likely did not cycle last fall due to her having three kids!

I usually can slip into a few spots, undetected and just wait for the goats to cross. Once they know you are there they go about their business. I usually spend three to 10 hours just among them. I wish I had more time to process images, I've got lots more! I plan to do the same later this summer but in the high country and after they shed out. The only thing is that they tend to move around a lot more in the summer, especially the billys!

Take care and I'm realy glad you like the shot!

Hey Tony,

Awesome shot! Can you tell me a bit about the Foba Super Ball Head? I am in the market this summer for when I head out West.

How do you like the Sigma 120-300? Have you used an extender with it?

Cheers
James

the foba is a great head for big, heavy stuff. I dont recomend it as a landscape head, it's too big and to weildy. I got it used, with an extra plate on ebay for 250 bucks! It looked brand new when i got it. . . I would not recomend it if its your only head, unless your going to use big glass or shoot wildlife all the time.


For shooting wildlife with gloves on, its the best because of it's big levers, and rock solid hold.

that 120-300 sig is a good lens, I'd buy it again. I got it for photographing sports and rodeos mainly. I use in now more for wildlife. I think I'll sell it when I buy the 200-400mm f/4 nikon.

Great shot! The head tilt makes it. And thanks for the info on your equipment. I am bidding on some lenses but have stayed away from Sigma lenses since I have not tried them. You have made me take a second look. Thanks

i own at least one good lens from each of the major third party makers (tamron, tokina, sigma). I think each makes at least one or two real good lenses, if not more. I have found that you have to find the right one, and the right model. I think quality control is a missing element in the third party stuff.

I also own the 100-300 f/4 hsm sig, it's okay too, but shot wide open it's a little soft. One thing about sigma, that i dont see in other brands, including my nikon lenses, is the colors. the 120-300 that I own adds green and I dont like that, but I live with it for it's zoom capabilites. I think nikon should make one to compliment the 200-400mm f4.

I never mate any tele converters to my third party lenses, they just dont need the help - LOL. That said, I've read where guys are getting away with it on the 500 4.5 sig.

Keep in mind that the 120-300 is big and heavy, and you does not have a rear internal filter holder! It does accept front filters if you can find them, it's a 105mm piece of glass!