Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
The gopher tortoise which lives in my front yard was out today and I couldn't resist grabbing the camera and having a tortoise opt. So I laid down in the grass to get to his level
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/...e818e9e4_c.jpgDSC_7061 by plh, on Flickr
Re: Close Encpunters of the Tortoise Kind
He walked towards me and suddenly I was staring down the lens at him.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/...ed4b22a5_c.jpgDSC_7066 by phusband56, on Flickr
Re: Close Encpunters of the Tortoise Kind
Re: Close Encpunters of the Tortoise Kind
Re: Close Encpunters of the Tortoise Kind
Great shots Pat! Our turtles are all hibernating now, good to see some out in the winter. Do you feed them? Or they find their own foods? How long have you had them? I think this tortoise likes you!
Barb
Re: Close Encpunters of the Tortoise Kind
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Disgirl
Great shots Pat! Our turtles are all hibernating now, good to see some out in the winter. Do you feed them? Or they find their own foods? How long have you had them? I think this tortoise likes you!
Barb
I was really surprised to have this guy come right up to the lens Barb. Maybe he saw his reflection and thought it may be a foe or possible mate. He is a wild tortoise but lives close to the house. I do not feed him but since he eats various plant in the front yard I do not use fertilizers. He really like to eat right after I mow the yard.
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
I'm Jealous! It would be great to have tortoises like that here in my yard in CT!:) Very cool candid shots Pat!. I have always found gopher torts to be a challenge to photo as they seem to always come out in harsh light. Got some very nice shots there.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/...b92e1ba1_c.jpg
I really like the glimpse of the claws in this one. thats why they are such keen diggers.
al
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Al, they have some serious claws and thanks on the kind words on the photos. :D I am rather happy with some of the pictures. He actually did come up to me a third time and I offered him some tender grass but he seems more interested in my fingers so I withdrew my hand.
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Great shots Pat. How big is he?
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rudustin
Great shots Pat. How big is he?
He is good sized Rufus, sort of like a fat football. Bet he weights between 5 to 7 lbs...and it is a male.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
blueluv
Great photos Pat.
Thanks Chris :)
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/...ed4b22a5_b.jpg
DSC_7066 by phusband56, on Flickr
This is a great shot because the DOF is very narrow that it renders the background very well. You must have been quite close to pull that off at f/5.6
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/...b92e1ba1_b.jpg
DSC_7074 by phusband56, on Flickr
While the first shot was a great one, this shot is compositionally the best shot and most pleasing. The diagonal subject translates well here and the top right part of it's shell brings you on to the shot and transitions well in to the subjects face.
Great shots overall and I am glad you got down on the ground to take these shots :)
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Thanks Ricardo, in the first photo the tortoise walked right up to the lens. So yes, close lol. It just seemed the right thing to do to be at the same level with the tortoise. I am overall quite happy with this series of pics.
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Second Hand Pat
Thanks Ricardo, in the first photo the tortoise walked right up to the lens. So yes, close lol. It just seemed the right thing to do to be at the same level with the tortoise. I am overall quite happy with this series of pics.
How do you feel you could have improved?
Re: Close Encounters of the Tortoise Kind
Well, I tried to keep the tortoise with the sun on it to avoid the shadows. The tortoise had a different agenda.