Tasty

[Steve Canuel]

Watched this coyote catch and eat a prairie dog. Must be quite delicious as this was just one of four licking the face shots I got from the encounter. Taken at 7:30pm, dust in the air contributed to the heavy color cast. Been on a portrait crop kick lately, this one cropped from a landscape format. 20D, 500/4 +1.4xTC, f6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 200, -1.3 EC, HH from vehicle, removed a very bright grass stalk from front of body.

[Hilary Hann]

I like the way you've captured the tongue wrapping around the muzzle, very nice. I'm not convinced that the vertical crop makes the image stronger but not seeing the landscape will go with what you think works best for your image. The background works well, probably would prefer not to have the large oof foreground clump of light grass as it does draw the eye.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Steve, certainly 'Tasty' in many respects.

As Hilary has mention, the curled tongue around the nose is a very nice touch and just adds that little bit extra to the image. Still away and viewing on laptop, so I can't really comment on the 'heavy colour cast', but as presented, initial reaction is, I like it, but may review when back home. Having the very defused rich tones and hues of the BG really does help to define & isolate the subject well.

Personally I might be tempted to lose some of the content at the foot and certainly to the RHS as the space either side I feel is a little imbalanced, but again, cropping is a personal thing. Might be nice Steve to post the landscape version later, once you have more comments, just to see the comparison?

TFS
Steve

[Morkel Erasmus]

crystal clear here and love the way the colours enhance the animal
agree on Steve's crop suggestions

is this an old file? I see a 20D in there...be interesting to know how you feel about this camera...I am getting one as part of a "Canon package" I'm taking over from someone and was wondering if it would be worthwhile to keep as a backup or to rather let go for a few bucks?

[Ken Watkins]

Steve,

Very nice indeed, these look so much like jackals except for the lack of back markings.

Great light and beautiful tongue, I might consider removing the main grass stem above the back.

[Steve Canuel]

crystal clear here and love the way the colours enhance the animal
agree on Steve's crop suggestions

is this an old file? I see a 20D in there...be interesting to know how you feel about this camera...I am getting one as part of a "Canon package" I'm taking over from someone and was wondering if it would be worthwhile to keep as a backup or to rather let go for a few bucks?

Thanks for the comments Morkel. Regarding the 20D, I'd say if you don't currently have a backup, I'd keep the 20D (unless you're saving up for something else you'd rather have). Given the closeness you sometimes get to your subjects, and with some decent light, I think you could easily get some keepers with it as a second camera. Just be prepared for how small that LCD is going to look compared to your 7D. Here's a sample (100% crop) taken under a similar setup to yours.

[Steve Canuel]

Hilary, Steve, and Ken,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Some good options given.

[Jay Gould]

Steve, I would love to see how much you can crop down to the head without losing too much IQ. The head/tongue is what this image is all about for me. TFS

[Steve Canuel]

Steve, I would love to see how much you can crop down to the head without losing too much IQ. The head/tongue is what this image is all about for me. TFS

Bigger crop than I prefer on the OP but here's an attempt for you Jay. Would've loved to get some detail in that nose!

[Jay Gould]

Thanks Steve,

Definitely softens it a bit - doesn't bother me; might bother others.

Interesting how the grass line pops up on the shoulder.

I wonder if a small boost in L&C might give it a bit of punch that seems to be lost.

Overall I like your RP.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Brilliant action here ! Very cute looks indeed ! Agree with the suggestions on the crop .

[Harshad Barve]

Excellent image and I liked it as posted
TFS

[Dumay de Boulle]

Gorgeous light and very nice with the OOF foreground...My taste to a tee...Very nice Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Steve - I like the OP and the tongue makes it. I think Steve's suggestions on the crop are worth a look.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Canuel]

Rakesh, Harshad, Dumay, and Rachel,
Thank you all for the comments.