Rocky Mountain Goat
“Overlooking the Kingdom” – Mt. Evans, CO – Kipp Schoen – Featured Photographer
Getting a great photo of wildlife is very difficult. Getting a spectacular photo of wildlife showing their environment can be darn near impossible. Well when it works out this is what it looks like. Shooting in both large format film cameras and high resolution digital cameras Kipp covers it all. After reading his full write up below, view his amazing landscapes at www.schoenphotography.com.
Enter Kipp:
Mount Evans (west of Denver) is a 14,265 foot peak that features dramatic views and a wide variety of alpine wildlife, including the sure-footed mountain goat. On this particular August day I had set out with the objective of capturing a mountain goat image that featured both the goat and the surrounding environment. I decided to focus on late afternoon and evening shots to benefit from improved lighting. On the way toward the summit of the mountain I spotted a small group of mountain goats with two mothers and two kids. I carefully approached the group and they moved over toward the side of the mountain. I was using a 50-500mm zoom, so I knew I would not have to approach too close to get the type of image I was after. After slowly following the group for an hour or so and getting a number of decent shots, the group descended over an abrupt ridge. As I approached the ridge, I could see down into a deep gorge below with a wonderful blue lake. I also noticed a dramatic mountain ridge to the west and that the sun was peeking through the broken clouds – just the scene I was after. At that moment the two kids hopped onto a large boulder overlooking the gorge and started to frolic. I quickly shot a couple of frames, but couldn’t get the composition that I wanted as they were constantly moving, but I did get a chance to prepare and be ready to shoot. Suddenly, one of the mother goats chased the two kids from the perch and hopped onto the rock herself. I immediately took two shots as she posed and gazed into the gorge. As quickly as that she turned and hoped back down. I immediately checked my LCD to see it I had gotten the shot. The focus was good and the composition got the goat with the dramatic backdrop. It even had a fringe of backlighting on the goat’s fur. Eureka!
Camera: Canon 5D Mark II
Lens: Sigma 50-500mm IS
ISO: 400
Details: handheld
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It is such a fantastic view – I wonder if the goat thinks so too?
I love the intelligent look on the goat mum’s face as she gazes down thoughtfully…almost as if she’s thinking…when these kids are grown up, I’ll be free again!
That’s wonderful shot! Love it:)
Persistence got you a stunning picture.
What a great composition
Fabulous. We wish we could stand where the goat is. Beautiful image!
Bella and DiDi
Marvellous picture. How lucky you were to witness such magnificent sight.
Absolutely breathtaking… What a beautiful image, on so many levels!!
Fabulous shot! Makes one gasp for breath…
He really did get his goat. Great shot.
This is one of my favorites, but then I love animals. I wonder what that goat is thinking?
Sensational! almost surreal. Now he just needs a good brushing…
J
I’m a writer. So I definitely appreciate the visual arts, because it’s something I cannot do.
I’ve been following Photobotos for some time now. I’ve concluded that photographers are a very patient class of artists.
Well well done!
A one in a million image. Just mind blowing!
Beautiful…
Congratulations…. it’s great when it all comes together. Great shot.
A very fine capture indeed.
Spectacular shot! Its in the sweet spot when it comes to composition, content and color.
This is a fabulous shot – sun sinking low in the sky, mountain goat surveying his kingdom, shedding the final remnants of his winter coat.
Great shot. And yes, so many of them come from being prepared when the moment appears!
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“Many moons pass over big river” since I heard the name “Mt. Evans” when I passed nearby it on a tour. This goat is definitely lord of all he surveys – I doubt if a mountain lion could follow him up and he’d be a fool if he tried. As with everyone else: wonderful shot.
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Simply amazing work.
Wonderful …. beautiful animal … he are really the king!
Patience pays off! I’ve been on Mt. Evans but didn’t see a scene like this! Thanks for sharing!
Gorge-ous!
The 3D effect is stunning