I hate being unprepared

I took a walk in Mammoth Cave National Park this morning, and as it was just after dawn, I put a really fast lens on the camera, an 85mm f1.2. It's a great lens for drawing in lots of light in low light situations, and I was hoping to get a few shots of the deer before the crowds showed up and sent them deeper into the woods.

Well, I got some good deer shots, but also, this fellow just popped up off the ground and landed in a tree, just about 50 feet away, and sat there watching me with my piddly, no-zoom 85mm lens.

Zoom or not...
you got a beautiful shot.
Is the bird an owl?

I hope that you share some deer pix too.

Originally Posted by xocats

Zoom or not...
you got a beautiful shot.

Is the bird an owl?

I hope that you share some deer pix too.

Click to expand...

Yes, it's a Barred Owl, what we call a "Hoot Owl" around these parts.

Here are the first deer I saw this morning, and they saw me long before I saw them. There are actually 2 deer in this picture, a doe and her fawn. She apparently was just watching, waiting for me to do something so she could figure out what I was.



Once I did move, they were just a blur as they hightailed out of town.

These two came wandering in a bit later, and they just didn't seem to concerned with my presence at all.

Oh Mike...
what a wonderfully lush area to walk and take photos.
I look forward to seeing more.

Those are beautiful shots.

Great Job Mike!...
I envy you!...

oh wow! I LOVE owls

what an exciting animal to have land within sight! I've only ever encountered one, and he was just hanging out by the road in broad daylight, they're such gorgeous animals. (my house is plastered with them, and I mean...plastered)

brill pictures

i liked playing spot the second deer in the first deer pic

Beautiful pictures! (I was playing "spot the deer", too)

Still a wonderful shot of the owl, Mike!
I was playing "spot the deer" too. They sure know how to blend in, eh?

Those are beautiful pictures Mike. I still cannot understand how anyone could shoot and kill one of those beautiful animals. They take my breath away when I encounter them.

Very nice pictures. I love the owl!

Adding to the consensus here- they're great photos! The green is so intense, I love it! And that's pretty neat you spotted that owl..

How wonderful to come across these beautiful animals in their natural habitat and to take such great photos!