Voles - Breakfast of Champions

Artist: Jay Ryser
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Card: US$4.66
Print: from US$19.95

Voles - Breakfast of Champions

We had a nice snow last night, so I was out early this morning chasing coyotes. I was also testing a new lens – the Sigma 150-50. Since i can’t afford the 500mm f/4.5, the 150-50 seemed like it might be a reasonable compromise with a longer focal length until I can afford it.

The coyotes made it pretty easy for me today – there were 3 of them just off the parking lot, and they didn’t seem too troubled to have me around (strength in numbers, I assume).

The highlight of the morning was watching this big female hunt and consume a vole (field mouse). Nothing like 500mm to bring the view a little closer, too – this is almost full-frame, minor cropping done to help composition.

Coyote (Canis latrans)
Crown Hill Park
Lakewood, CO
Sony A700
Sigma 150-500
Giottos tripod, Acratech ballhead, Wimberley Sidekick

ISO500, 420mm, 1/320sec, f/6.3

Voles - Breakfast of Champions belongs to the following groups:

Colorful Colorado, Exotic Mammals, Nature's Wonders, Wild Nature Photography & Writing and Wolves & Wild Kin Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Voles - Breakfast of Champions by Jay Ryser

Rosina Lamberti

Gorgeous capture :)
Jay Ryser replied

Thanks Rosina
Krys Bailey

Oh dear … poor little vole…. but sentiments aside – a great shot!
Jay Ryser replied

And she worked at him for a while, too
Eivor Kuchta

I like the blue morning light. Great capture of the action!
Jay Ryser replied

I have the whole sequence on my site
Torfinn Johann...

Gorgeous capture! I can recommend the 50-500. I have used it for over a year now, and like it a lot. I used that one on my carduelis flammea shot.
Jay Ryser replied

The sharpness seems to be OK, the HSM seems a little slow, and it’s a bit slow (well, compared to the 300/2.8), but so far I think I like it
Kane Slater

Nice. But “Voles differ from “true mice” by their plumper bodies, smaller eyes and ears, shorter legs and tails, and noses which are considerably more blunt.”
—“Mammals of Algonquin Provincial Park”

Judging by the plumpness and tail lenghth, I’d say that you are correct that it’s a Vole, but not a Field Mouse.
Jay Ryser replied

Now, I thought voles and “field mice” were the same thing.

But this guy was a big one – took her a while to get him down.
Lois Bryan

Well done, Jay!!!!! Great capture!!!!
Jay Ryser replied

Thanks Lois
Marleia Main

Yum Yum!! Nice capture :)))
Simon Muirhead

this is amazing!
Charlie08

And just how does one get to this “parking lot”..LOL Great awesome capture as always Jay
Jay Ryser replied

It’s a magical Parking Lot!

Nah – in reality, you take a right on Kipling, then the first left.
Deborah H. Benoit

Awesome lighting and capture of this beauty having a tasty meal!!!
Marvin Collins

Great work Jay, very well done!!
Anne Smyth

this is wonderful – all the hours and studies paying off!!!
cdudak

Awesome shot
Jonathan Bartlett

How you liking the 150-500? A monster I’m sure!
Great shot.
Jay Ryser replied

I think I like the 150-500. My default lens is the 300/2.8, and that’s a heavy chunk of glass to lug around!

The 150-500 is lighter (relatively speaking – it’s still 3.5-4 pounds), but the HSM seems a little slower than the 300/2.8 with the screw drive motor (but it’s a much brighter lens – f/2.8 vs f/6.3), and the focus had some difficulty locking on at times (I suspect for the same reason).

You need a LOT of light to use this lens – sunny mornings and evenings, compared to the 300/2.8 that I can practically use in the dark. It’s going to be a specialized lens, I think, but I DO like the extra reach of 500mm.
Lori Peters

Awesome, Jay. xo
C J Hummel - ...

Grewat capture, yes I am with Krys about poor little vole, but that is nature, the coyote has a hard time as it is in winter.

Tiny weeny criticism, you have a strong blue colour cast, which is expected sometimes with snow scenes, which could be easily corrected with PS this would really raise the quality
Jay Ryser replied

I actually did 2 versions from the RAW file – this and one with a little warmer WB. I kinda like this one better – conveys the cold temp better (15F). I might post the alternate too just to compare.
lallymac

Gorgeous portfolio – welcome to the Sony Shooters Group Looking forward to seeing your work there.
Jay Ryser replied

Thanks – I just added a couple of photos
Denzil

Great capture – both of you!!!
Kasey Cline

Too cool Jay! Looks like you finally got it! But knowing you, you are probably still not happy!!! He looks like he is enjoying his breakfast…Congrats on the lens!
Jay Ryser replied

Ahh, you know me too well. I think I can do better.
Wanda Raines

Wonderful natural capture.
LindaR

excellent shot ~ xx
Arla M. Ruggles 29 days ago

Outstanding shot. Great tones!
Jay Ryser replied 29 days ago

Thanks Arla
fortner 29 days ago

Great shot Jay!!! The slower lenses ( thats what I have ) are a bit frustrating at times for sure. The bottom line is that you need light !! Never throw away or forget about that 300 – 2.8, I’d give almost anything to have one.
Jay Ryser replied 29 days ago

I quickly got rid of the slow lens – I’d frame up a shot, hit the shutter button, and the autofocus would start hunting again. I lost so many shots that way I gave up and use the 300/2.8 almost exclusively now, with and without a TC.
Arla M. Ruggles 29 days ago

Congratulations!
This beautiful image is featured on Wild Nature Photography & Writing
(2009.NOV.28)
Jay Ryser replied 29 days ago

And thanks again!