Racoon Kit

[Meesh Fink]

Enjoy & appreciate nature's beautiful gifts while they last. Found a mama racoon today slumped in a tree (likely distemper), and two kits living further up the tree in a hollow space. There are no rehabbers here, Division of Wildlife said the kits are old enough to possibly survive on their own. :( I am considering dropping a handful of dogfood at the base of their tree for a while, even if they will only be fattened up for the bobcats.

7D, 400mm f/5.6, tripod & gimbal, ISO 320, f/6.3, 1/800

Tech notes: Exposed to the right, post consisted of bringing down the tree bark exposure slightly, desaturating the blue sky (it was horrid aqua), and brushing in some sharpness on his face. Cropped lightly for comp.

C&C very welcome. To me the fur detail looks a bit harsh.

[Keith McHugh]

Nice shot. Looks like it was in the middle of the day by the harsh lighting. I think you did a good job with what you had to work with. Sometimes you just have to take the photo when the wildlife are cooperating. Is it me, or is it's right ear blurry? Maybe a slight boost in DOF, but otherwise good shot.

[Meesh Fink]

Nice shot. Looks like it was in the middle of the day by the harsh lighting. I think you did a good job with what you had to work with. Sometimes you just have to take the photo when the wildlife are cooperating. Is it me, or is it's right ear blurry? Maybe a slight boost in DOF, but otherwise good shot.

Actually, it was 6:15 PM, just as the shadows were creeping up their tree. :) It's typical Colorado sunshine - bright and harsh.

I agree with you about DOF. Something to improve upon tomorrow. Thanks for the comments!

[Alfred Forns]

Good comment on the light Keith !! Does look harsh and maybe a slight over sharpening makes it more prominent !!

Wish you could have worked around some for a more even bg with all tree if possible, like the pose but the little bit of sky does detract !!! .. glad you placed the lens on a tripod, makes a difference !!! ... don't be shy and leave some comments for others, feedback to others will help you just as much !!! Looking forward to the next one !!!

[Lance Peters]

to add to the above - might just lighten and sharpen the eyes a tad>
Looking forward to seeing more :)

[Peter Farrell]

A very nice capture, I agree with previous comments. Racoon doesn't look un healthy, just tired. Wish the best for her and the youngsters.
Peter

[Meesh Fink]

Good comment on the light Keith !! Does look harsh and maybe a slight over sharpening makes it more prominent !!

Wish you could have worked around some for a more even bg with all tree if possible, like the pose but the little bit of sky does detract !!! .. glad you placed the lens on a tripod, makes a difference !!! ... don't be shy and leave some comments for others, feedback to others will help you just as much !!! Looking forward to the next one !!!

Thanks Alfred - could be over sharpened and/or too much contrast?

I didn't like that patch of sky at all either... This tree is prominent on a steep canyon side, and there aren't many options to get nice trees behind it, but perhaps there will be a better angle or the kits will venture a little further out this evening. :)

[Meesh Fink]

to add to the above - might just lighten and sharpen the eyes a tad>
Looking forward to seeing more :)

Thank you, Lance. I think that's a great idea.

[Meesh Fink]

A very nice capture, I agree with previous comments. Racoon doesn't look un healthy, just tired. Wish the best for her and the youngsters.
Peter

Thanks Peter! :D I am so interested to see if they are any perkier today. Hopefully they found my small offering of kibble. My husband read an article in the Gunnison paper just yesterday about this year being especially bad for distemper in racoons. Mom should have conferred immunity to the kits so they may survive if they avoid predation. I will be watching these two to see what happens.

[Harold Davis]

such a nice capture, i think a little more pp would make this better. i sure hope it's not sick. hope all ends well!!