I live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and can easily be up there at sunrise for the wonderful morning light. Cades Cove, with it's scenery and wildlife is my favorite stomping grounds. These from this past weekend, all shot in RAW, converted in Nikon Capture; processed with Paint Shop Pro9.

First Light. Just after sunrise with Nikon D70, 18-70DX. 1/800th sec.; f11; Circular Polarizer.



It's always dark in the shadows of the forest, especially with backlighting. Nikon 80-200 f2.8 AF ED. 800 ISO.



If you looked closely, there's a tiny spot below the doe's nose. I started to clone it out until I took a closer look at 100%:



And this big fellow gave me a respectful bow. Shot with 80-200 at 1600 ISO; f2.8; 1/100th sec. on a monopod.



I'm just an amateur hobbyist and don't have the top pro equipment but just try to have fun and enjoy nature with what I have.

Regards,

Dick:)

Dick ...these are wonderful and the detail is first rate. Slight red cast on the last one, but that is easily corrected in photoshop. First rate shot none the less. Great work.......oh...and I have seen stuff from hobbyest that would turn a pro's eyes green. Just because somone gets paid for their shots. Dosnt always mean they have the biggest heart towards photogrpahy. Your work here is VERY good...and full of emotion...which (to me) is what photography is all about.

Roman

Hey Dick,

Thanks for sharing your shots. I envy you guys who live in such proximity to wildlife. The closest we get are squirrels and pigeons (and the occasional hawk or falcon). I am very much looking forward to my wife's and my next trip to New Hampshire in a couple of weeks.

Your pics are great. I have strong preferances to the top two images. The forest shot is my favorite. Well done.

-JM

Thank you, Roman & James. I sincerely appreciate your replies and comments.

Roman,
I especially appreciate your comment about emotion in a photograph. I don't know that it's something I consciouly do but there is a difference in photographing a scene or critter that excites me or have a particular sense of feeling toward or affinity with. I take more than my share of vacation pics and family snapshots but when I go to the Smokies for photography, I'm in a place that has special meaning to me. I guess it's drawn from my family heritage both as pioneers and Cherokee ancestry.

That last buck is a little too warm and I do need to tone it down a bit. Thanks.

James,
I am fortunate to live near the Smokies, with it's scenery and wildlife. It's a special place. I don't even have to go that far for critters as they hang around my house, too. Our subdivision lots are large (I've got almost two acres) and is surrounded by woods and countryside, though we're in the city limits of Sevierville and less than 1/4 mile from the main highway leading into the Smokies. I have resident raccoons and possums who make nightly trips to my back porch to finish off the cat's food and a small herd of deer.

I've been watching one of my doe neighbors all Summer as she'd separated herself from the others. I was sure she had a fawn nearby but hadn't seen it. A few weeks ago, just at sunrise, I spotted her and twin fawns browsing outside my front window. Grabbing my camera, which fortunately had the telephoto and still set at 800 ISO from the day before, I sneaked around back and caught her and the 'kids' just as they took flight. These aren't very good technically but what a show!





Mama could have easily cleared an 8' fence with that leap!



I'm glad you enjoyed the doe in the forest and First Light. Thank you! That was most enjoyable morning.

Best regards,

Dick:)

Hi Dick

I like the last image of the deer and two fawns following after her. That is a great capture! You were lucky that you could get a fast enough shutter speed to get the image.

Lou

Hi Dick!
It's great to see a familiar face on this forum. I love your nature/Smokies shots and that first image is no exception. The colors are so beautiful and the image so peaceful. Nothing compares to a morning spent with nature as the sun rises. Your deer/wildlife shots always make me envious in a good sort of way! I've often mumbled to myself, "man, that Richard is either one heck of a photographer or just a lucky guy." Now, I know that it takes a little of both -- luck puts a person into a situation, but it is skill in knowing how to interact with the situation to unleash its beauty.