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The Alpha Ram
1st PlaceThe Alpha Ram
hahn23


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Rule of Thirds III (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO
Date: Apr 18, 2007
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 250
Shutter: 1/500s
Galleries: Nature, Animals
Date Uploaded: Apr 18, 2007

 Bighorn ram on MacGregor Mountain.
+++++++
Thanks everyone, for your votes and comments. I am very delighted to win my first blue ribbon here. I am humbled by the experience. Wildlife photography is a lot about luck. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. This alpha bighorn ram allowed me to stand on his mountain for a short time, at an elevation equal to his. This is rare. The smile on his face is not a smile. These magnificent creatures have a gland under their upper lip which detects pheromones. He was "sniffing" me to detect if I was friend or foe. His herd of ewes was grazing immediately behind me. Thanks again, for the blue ribbon! I am truly honored!

outtakes:




Statistics
Place: 1 out of 380
Avg (all users): 7.1463
Avg (commenters): 8.3571
Avg (participants): 7.0135
Avg (non-participants): 7.2556
Views since voting: 12338
Views during voting: 289
Votes: 164
Comments: 42
Favorites: 14 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/31/2007 11:12:31 AM
I love your wild life work! This is spectacular!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/05/2007 05:24:13 PM
Well done...congratulations on winning the blue ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2007 02:57:05 AM
Amazing capture - excellent DOF, and composition. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 08:58:37 PM
Simply perfect... Congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 08:36:11 PM
wow, very nice capture. After spending the first 20 years of my life in Colorado and even a cabin up near Winter Park I have only once gotten to see "wild" big horns.

Up on the edge of Estes on the side of the road. As I tried to get a little closer they were making some movements that I didn't feel were friendly so I stepped back lol.

They are amazing animals and it is even more amazing that you got so close to them. Great job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 08:21:56 PM
Congrats on your blue! He must have know you'd win as he's smiling in the picture! Great photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 05:07:45 PM
Beautiful! The entire set is just awesome. Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 05:03:28 PM
Richard, great shot of a regal animal. Congrats on your Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 04:16:51 PM
A moving image captured with perfection. Congratulations on your well earned Blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 04:11:28 PM
What an awesome set of photos of this Ram. Mega congratulations not only for a fine capture but for your ribbon!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 02:52:01 PM
Congratulations on your ribbon! You got some amazing shots out of that encounter, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 02:20:25 PM
amazing Richard, Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 02:01:18 PM
Beautifully done. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:11:40 PM
Richard - Excellent image. I continue to be jealous your 'backyard'!

Message edited by author 2007-05-02 13:12:08.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 09:38:07 AM
Ecellent capture and perfect for the challenge.
Congratulations on first place!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 02:34:47 AM
Congrats on blue, fantastic shot.

Jack
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:57:24 AM
Deleted comment by request of the photographer.

eyewave

Message edited by author 2007-09-19 08:05:55.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:20:59 AM
Wow, gorgeous shot! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:19:05 AM
I had suspected this to win the challenge.
The ram is smiling!!!!!!! great & amazing photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:46:06 AM
Congrats, Richard! Your wildlife shots are always amazing, and this time you really nailed the specific challenge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:32:40 AM
WTG, Richard! Big congrats on your blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:26:49 AM
Say cheese. Love the expression on the Ram.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:21:49 AM
Great shot Richard, and congratulations on your well deserved "Blue" Van

Message edited by author 2007-05-03 09:16:59.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:21:37 AM
Great shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:21:18 AM
Congratulations I said it was a winner
Great image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:06:17 AM
Congratulations on the blue, great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/01/2007 08:55:34 PM
Hmmm... it doesn't *look* like this was taken in a zoo... ;-)

Edit: Congratulations on your blue ribbon!

Message edited by author 2007-05-02 00:12:06.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/01/2007 05:43:18 PM
almost looks like a stone texture.. nice sharpness and great use of DOF and the rule! 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2007 10:18:35 PM
Nice and sharp. Excellent shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2007 08:45:11 PM
This is beautiful and one of my top picks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2007 07:11:29 PM
wow! what a beauty I love the detail of the Ram and the softness of the background a 10 from me well done
My favorite out of the images I have seen and judged I am sure this will do well for you
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/30/2007 02:47:25 PM
Well done from what I've seen so far you'll get a top place ribbon. Nice composition, well placed focal point you nailed rule of thirds with placement on image and focal point. Wish you the best and look forward to more of your images. psart
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2007 03:30:28 PM
i like the dof a lot. nice capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/27/2007 01:15:42 PM
Wonderful clarity and pleasing DOF. He kind of looks like he is making faces at you though. Very nice!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2007 03:42:29 PM
is that real? it looks stuffed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2007 11:20:01 AM
This is just a fantastic shot. Super focus on the Ram and the colours of the blured background really makes him stand out. I think it is hard to get this sharpness in pastle shades ( Which I like because its seems more natural and true to life) but you have done it beautifully = 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/26/2007 09:19:06 AM
Great image...very crisp. Is he smiling at you?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2007 02:57:04 PM
Pretty good shot image quality wise, good enough for 7 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2007 02:25:58 PM
LOL, "say cheese."

Beautiful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2007 07:27:50 AM
beautiful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2007 12:54:32 AM
good shot! did he let you get that close, or is that a super zoom?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 04/25/2007 12:21:34 AM
Super Badass picture. Very sharp image, well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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