This month's theme, selected by last month's winner, scottashley, is Living on the Edge. From Scott, "Life in the wild is often about living on the edge. With winter coming on, survival for most animals is a matter of keeping warm and finding enough food. Predators must track down or scavenge enough food to avoid starvation. Their prey must outrun, outfly or out-swim predators to see another sunrise. Some animals live in harsh conditions where survival is a day-to-day struggle. Others live in rugged, steep environments where a careless step can mean death.

Photos for this month's contest should capture animals living on the edge—in harsh environment, harsh conditions, dangerous circumstances, pursuing or being pursued—to survive.

NO captive animals, please, since they are living in controlled environments."

RULES:
--Post up to 7 images but only one image/post
--Include shooting info so we can learn from each other
--Previously posted images are welcome - but not previous contest winners
--When posting please do so by hitting the ‘reply’ link below this top post, not the reply link to another post.
--Include a title in the subject line
--Capture must be shot with a Nikon camera and any lens
--Comments are welcome but NO public critiquing, i.e., how to make it better. This is a contest so PM's are a better way to offer feedback
--WARNING posts that do not meet the spirit of the challenge cannot qualify as finalists, and may or may not be removed by the moderators

The top images will be selected by the previous months winner and be included in a poll for members to vote for the winning photo. The winning image with be added to the Wildlife Contest Winners Gallery

Good Luck

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

Please Visit My Gallery and my website at www.richarddubiel.com
Richard

This photo was taken in February this year, during an exceptionally cold spell in Croatia, with temperatures under -20°C.
The river in the picture froze almost entirely, leaving only a narrow passage for the swans.





D700, Sigma 150-500mm at FL 500 mm, F 6.7, 1/1500 s, ISO 200

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Between the frozen river and the snowy banks these swans chose the latter. They were exceptionally meek and endearing.



Nikon 1 V1, FL 10mm, F/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 100

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As we all know, eagles would rather wait for another eagle to catch a fish and take it away than to catch one on their own. An eagle is always on the edge trying to get enough to eat with other eagles around.
Nikon D800, 400 mm f/2.8 lens, 1/2500 @ f/5.6, ISO 400, -0.3 EV

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Wow, what splendid images. Thanks for sharing.

Richard

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>>"As we all know, eagles would rather wait for another eagle to catch a fish and take it away than to catch one on their own."<<

Not unlike some humans, eh Tom?

Charlie

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Fantastic capture

BertC

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I photographed this flock of American Robins feeding on crab apples during a snowstorm using a Nikon D300, 70-200 Nikkor, F14 @ 1/125 ISO 200.

Bill Marchel
www.BillMARCHEL.com

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Gorgeous image...ah, timing is everything and your captured it beautifully.

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Coyotes survive the harsh Yellowstone winters by "Mousing". The deep snow does not keep the busy mice and voles from going about their business of surviving. With their keen hearing, some predators, such as this coyote, can hear their prey scurrying around under the snow. When they think they have a fix on the little guys exact location, they leap high into the air, and come down face-first into the snow, and catch the unsuspecting rodents. This fellow was successful with this leap, but the follow-on shots will not be posted, in deference to the faint-of-heart!

D80/Nikon 80-400mm/400mm @ F5.6/1/250 sec/ISO 320




Kelly

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Would really like a look at a larger image of this.

Charlie

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Shot from a airboat in Central Florida
Camera: Nikon D7000
Lens and Filters: Tamron 28-270mm
Film and/or ISO: ISO 200
Aperture: f/8
Shutter speed: 1/1000

BertC

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I appologize for the double-post! I tried editing my original, but didn't know there was a time-limit to editing a post!
I loaded the first post of this photo from my Gallery, thinking the large version would be perfect for the forum, but it is too small. So, if the moderator would please pull the first post, I would appreciate it!

This is a coyote looking for a meal in the frozen foods section. I may try this technique the next time I go down the frozen food isle at the grocery store.

D80/Nikon 80-400mm/400mm at F5.6/SS at 1/250th/ISO 320

Kelly

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I was witness to this interesting encounter between a young wolf and a band of big horn rams in Yellowstone a couple of years ago. The rams did not seem too concerned with only this one wolf. They stood their ground, and the wolf eventually decided not to press the issue with them. Lucky for them the other 6-7 wolves of his pack, who were on the other side of the ridge in the background, never joined him. The outcome could have been much different.

Kelly

D300; Nikon 200-400mm F4; TCE 1.7; 650mm; 1/640th sec; F6.7; ISO 200

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As the snows of Yellowstone get deeper, finding food becomes more and more difficult. The Bison's massive head seems epsecially well designed for shoveling through snow to find just enough food to keep them going another day.

Kelly

D80; Nikon 80-400mm (I think!); 280mm; F5.3; 1/350 sec; ISO 320

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Wow, you certainly have some wildlife photo opportunities. Great images and especially the wolf with the big horn rams, which tells a story.

Nice one

Richard

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Thank you, Richard. I am truly blessed to live where I do!

Kelly

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The sure-footed Mountain Goat certainly knows about life on the edge! These Billies were about 200 feet above me. I was zoomed in to 300 mm and this is a slight crop from the original, so it is a little difficult to get an appreciation for the cliff that they are climbing up. I was so amazed at watching them go up this cliff that I almost forgot to take some photos! They are simply amazing animals.

D80; Nikon 70-300mm VR; 300mm at F 5.6; 1/200th sec; ISO 640

Kelly

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I couldn't decide which I liked best, so figured I might as well submit both!
This is a continuation of the same shoot as above, but with one more Billy tagging along. I was shadowing a band of about 8 or 9 goats who seemed not to be bothered by my presence. In fact, the closer ones were somewhat curious. But I think that these three Billies decided that I was too close, so they made an exit by way of the cliff behind them. A lesson learned for me; not all mountain goats are as tolerant of humans as others, so don't push in too close.

D80; Nikon 70-300mm VR; 300mm at F5.6; 1/200th sec; ISO 400

Kelly

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Hi!

The latin noun is here because usually the electronic censorship clicks in when I spell t-i-t-s, or tits in full

Taken at my feeder, which has been badly installed by yours truly, completely askew actually:



D700, 80-400VR, ISO1600, f/5.6, 1/1600 handheld.

Olivier Rychner
__________________________________________
Jetez un oeil à ma galerie if you feel like it! And it's a bit void as of now, but I also have a Nikonians blog

Auta i lomë! And my Nikon's only awaiting daylight...

Well, have I written "prey"?

Here, same feeder, but poecile palustris in action:



D700, 80-400VR, ISO 3200, f/8, 1/800 handheld

Olivier Rychner
__________________________________________
Jetez un oeil à ma galerie if you feel like it! And it's a bit void as of now, but I also have a Nikonians blog

Auta i lomë! And my Nikon's only awaiting daylight...

In the fall migration starts with the small birds making there way south, followed by the hawks that prey on these smaller birds.
Here a Northern Harrier is chasing a Palm Warbler through the bush.
This time the little one got away.
Taking with a D300 with 300/4 afs and TC-14e
f8@1/1000, iso 400

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http://www.slopoki1.com/Nature

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I photographed this impressive buck at -12 degrees F while he foraged on winter grasses to secure energy to fight off the frigid, icy air.

Mark


www.mercuryoutdoorcommunications.com

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I captured these two deep woods bucks as they fiercely fought over a nearby estrous doe! As you can see the right buck has had a tine broken off and what you cannot see is his punctured right eye. The left buck sustained a slight puncture just visible under his right eye.

Mark


www.mercuryoutdoorcommunications.com

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These two yearling bucks are browsing on slough grasses in a valley and enduring a clipper that slung snow pellets on a 30 MPH wind chill of minus 20 degrees! Yes, I was cold, too!

Mark


www.mercuryoutdoorcommunications.com

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Hard Times in Yellowstone

D70 w/tripod
Sigma 120-300 f/2.8

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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Alone in the Land of Fire and Ice

D200 handheld
Nikon 80-400mm VR

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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Excellent shot Albert!

A Bike can save your life!
www.pixeljuicephotos.com

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Bison in the Snow - Yellowstone

D200 handheld
Nikon 80-400mm VR

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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Slim Pickings - Coyote scavenging a Bison Carcass

D200 w/tripod
Nikon 80-400mm + 1.4x TC

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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This was my fishing spot.
18mm, f/6.3, ISO 200, 1/160 sec

BertC

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Escaping death

This big horn ewe was desperately trying to escape a coyote that discovered her on the rim rocks in Rocky Mountain NP. With her feet barely ever touching the ground she descended the cliff to safety

D300s with 200-400 lens, hand held


Larry

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Give me a piece. One eagle has a freshly caught fish while his fellow eagles try to knock it out of his mouth and catch it when it falls.

D200 handheld
Nikon 80-400 VR @ 340mm
Alaska

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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Superb image!

"Today is the tomorrow that yesterday you spent money like there was no"

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Three bald eagles posing for the camera in a barren winter environment in Alaskan winter

D200 handheld
Nikon 80-400 VR @ 400mm

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

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Magical and perfect exposure of the feathers on the Eagles and the snow. Never easy.

I've had a Bald eagle on my arm and was amazed at how heavy they are

Richard

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Thanks. Actually this was a bright contrasty shot so I exposed for the highlights and used the Shadow slider to get detail back.

I can imagine Bald Eagles would be heavy but never had the privilege of holding one

Albert J Valentino
Nikonian Team Member
Vantage Point Images
Mastery of Composition is the Key to Great Photography

These balds are really giving you the eagle eye!

What if you had 3 wives giving you that look? You would know that you were in trouble. When I've gotten the eagle eye from a bald, I only got one looking at me with disgust.

Charlie

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This hawk caught a small bird and flew into the tree just outside my window to feed. He was about 10 feet away. He's got a small morsel in his mouth. I'll post two.
D700 Nikkor 28-200 f/8 1/250 @200 ISO 6400
Joe

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tasty meat. feathers on the branch in front of it.

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Outstanding!
I wonder what they are thinking? "He's too big,and may be tough and stringy...but, on the other hand, there are three of us!
Carl

It is a Fine and Pleasant Madness

Perhaps Nikonians should have a Christmas caption competition for the image of the Bald Eagles

Richard

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Vaughn

A Mile High Nikonian

Photography: It's not what I do for a living---It's what I do for Life!
www.vcottman.zenfolio.com

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Vaughn

A Mile High Nikonian

Photography: It's not what I do for a living---It's what I do for Life!
www.vcottman.zenfolio.com

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Vaughn

A Mile High Nikonian

Photography: It's not what I do for a living---It's what I do for Life!
www.vcottman.zenfolio.com

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Vaughn

A Mile High Nikonian

Photography: It's not what I do for a living---It's what I do for Life!
www.vcottman.zenfolio.com

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So cold for little birds !

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Ice cold for this Blue tit !

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Pictures taken in France (Europe)

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Last one to share ! Friendly hello from France to Nikonians of all over the world !

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Como ca va Jean-Pierre?

Back atcha from the Southern part of the USA.

I really like this last image the best. Your EXIF data says the Light Source is "Fine weather". Wonder if this feathered fellow feels it is all that fine?

What lens did you use, and how far away were you? I see you have the 300mm f2.8. Was it that one?

Charlie

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>Como ca va Jean-Pierre?

>What lens did you use, and how far away were you? I see you
>have the 300mm f2.8. Was it that one?
>
>Charlie
>
Ça va bien Charlie !
;o)

I use a 2.8/300mm VR1
+ a big crop !

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>>Como ca va Jean-Pierre?
>
>>What lens did you use, and how far away were you? I see
>you
>>have the 300mm f2.8. Was it that one?
>>
>>Charlie
>>
>Ça va bien Charlie !
>;o)
>
>I use a 2.8/300mm VR1
>+ a big crop !
>

Well, it seems to work. Gotta get me a 300mm fast prime. I do have a 7-300VR that is pretty good. Don't think it is quite that sharp.

Bon nuit mon ami. (Took French in 1961, a little rusty. I was able to barely get by in Quebec in 2006)

Charlie

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Vaughn

A Mile High Nikonian

Photography: It's not what I do for a living---It's what I do for Life!
www.vcottman.zenfolio.com

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I photographed this white-tailed deer as it was crossing the parially frozen Mississippi River. Nikon D300, 200-400 Nikkor, F7.1 @ 1/1000

Bill Marchel
www.BillMARCHEL.com

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I photographed this American Robin as it attempted to feed on high-bush cranberries during an ice storm. Nikon D300, 200-400 Nikkor, F8 @1/125.

Bill Marchel
www.BillMARCHEL.com

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Spectacular!
C.

It is a Fine and Pleasant Madness

D300, 200 Micro

A Bike can save your life!
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Great photo...did the 200mm seem a bit short at the time? How did you get him to look somewhere other than at you? Usually, they are staring right at the intruder...you!
Carl

It is a Fine and Pleasant Madness

Cloudsplitter
DC

Found this furry guy on the edge of the ice on Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks on Christmas Eve...

D300 ISO 200 1/350 f/5.6
Nikon 600mm VR

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Why “on the edge”? Wikipedia (in Finnish-language edition) says that ospreys accept almost any habitat provided that it offers water for fishing and trees for nesting. In the outer archipelago of Finland big trees are few and far between. Instead these ospreys have built their nest on an edge-of-fairway mark on an underwater rock. The juveniles must be capable of controlled flying and landing the first time they try.

D800E, Sigma 50-500mm@460mm, 1/2000s, f/10, ISO640. Shot handheld from a moving sailboat in about 2-ft swell.

Regards, Antero

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Fish in Finland must survive under a sheet of ice from December to April, with very little light or oxygen. This perch received an invitation to dinner from a mink, but the dinner is likely to be the last one for the perch. Mink (Neovison Vison, formerly Mustela Vison) is not an indigenous animal in Finland. Minks have been imported from America to fur farms but many have been released by careless fur farmers and animal rights terrorists. The American mink has driven its smaller European cousin (Mustela Lutreola) to extinction, at least in Finland.

D90, Sigma 120-400mm@400mm, 1/750s, f/10, ISO800.

Regards, Antero

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Siberian Jay (Perisoreus infaustus) is the smallest corvid living in Finland. They live in old forests, far away from cities, but in winter they show their opportunist side, seeking contact with humans and even accepting food offered from a hand. Their winter-time diet consists mainly of food they have collected in warmer weather. In cold weather they minimize heat loss by fluffing up their feathers to a hairy ball. When hunters die, their souls continue life in Siberian jays. Therefore, if a hunter kills a Siberian jay, he'll lose his hunting life forever.

This photo is from a ski run in Lapland in early March 2012.

D90, Nikkor 55-300mm, 1/1000s, f/6.7, ISO500.

Regards, Antero

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Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) feeding chicks, with no time to stop.

Why “on the edge”? Swallows are the last migratory birds to arrive and the first to go, with only a few weeks to get the next generation ready for a long flight to Africa, south of the Equator. Another reason for the rush was a kestrel circling above, with the treeless island offering very little protection. The cross on the unknown sailor's grave was the closest equivalent to a tree.

D800E, Sigma 50-500mm@500mm, 1/1250s, f/8, ISO200.

Regards, Antero

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Brilliant images Antero, once again demonstrating the abilities of the 50-500mm OS in the above.

Richard

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Thank you Richard for you very kind comments.

Best regards, Antero

Antero,

I too appreciate the examples of the Sigma Bigma. Can I assume that this photo was shot handheld? These photos are about to talk me into getting one. I just need an assistant to help me carry it.

Charlie

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Helsinki 2011. The first and so far the only successful hatching of Eurasian eagle owls in a city. One female and two male owlets hatched in February and learned to fly controllably in early May. I am sad to say that one of the parents and two of the three juveniles have been found dead, probably after hitting windows or wires.

Each of the three owlets fell once from their nest, and had to be returned to the roof, eight stories above street level. At this point they could glide gently downwards but not attain more altitude. This one landed on the signpost of Southern Fried Chicken.

D90, Nikkor 24-120mm@120mm, 1/180s, f/4, ISO800. April 20th 2011.

Regards, Antero

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Antero,

This image is patently ironic. (Sorry)

I love signs with a twist, misspellings, irony, etc. Wish I could have taken this one to add to my collection. Probably the only way that I could get to Helsinki would involve our TSA at some point. I would rather drive 2,000 miles both ways than to mess with them.

That reminds me. Coming home on Christmas, I stopped in a rest area, and saw a family with a pet chicken that they had out of the car to walk. Potty break? Never saw that before.

Charlie

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Nine days later, when the owlets could fly over short distances. The railing holds snow and ice on the roof until dropped manually.

D90, Sigma 150-500mm@500mm, 1/350s, f/6.3 (wide open), ISO1600. April 29th 2011, a few days before the owlets left their nesting site.

Regards, Antero

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We Were On The Edge

Taken at Jackson Hole years ago.
This Bison jumped the fence to attack us-- we got back into our cars luckily

D200
Nikon 18-200mm

Preston-(The Tampa Nikonian)..D300

In Rocky Mountain National Park I was tracking this coyote pair hoping to catch some mousing shots when they came across this carcass from a winter-killed elk. I wouldn't want to have to spend my winters like this!

D200, Sigma 500mm w/1.4 teleconverter, tripod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com

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This coyote in Rocky Mountain National Park was guarding a winter-killed elk from another approaching coyote. His expression makes it clear that he isn't interested in sharing!

D200, Sigma 500mm w/1.4 teleconverter, tripod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com

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Mountain goats are amazing creatures, living in incredibly rugged terrain—in this case, literally in the clouds.

D200, Sigma 150-500mm zoom, monopod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com

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This is a genuine mountain momma, showing her several-month-old kid what it takes to survive living on the side of a 14,000-foot mountain.

D200, Sigma 150-500mm zoom, monopod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com

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Although only a few months old, these mountain goat kids can scramble up and down mountains with ease, leaving photographers like me gasping in amazement—not to mention gasping for breath at this altitude!

D200, Sigma 150-500mm zoom, monopod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com

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This mountain goat was scrambling up and down cliffs in the clouds, and a slip would've meant a fall of about a thousand feet. This is actually shot from above looking down on the goat several hundred feet below, with a long dropoff to the valley floor below—mostly obscured by clouds.

D200, Sigma 150-500mm zoom, monopod

Scott

www.ScottAshleyPhotography.com