Meet the guanaco. Easily the most commonly seen animal in Torres Del Paine (pronounced Pine-ay, by the way). Their ubiquity, and iconic shape upon the landscape reminded me a bit of photographing bison in Yellowstone. And like bison, they can be found individually or in large herds. This guanaco was keeping a close watch on a puma that had just unsuccessfully chased a herd further down the mountain. Guanacos can outrun pumas, but fall prey to the puma’s ambush tactics. As I often do, I used a graduated neutral density filter to hold the detail in the sky while exposing for the foreground. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/1600th of a second, three stop graduated neutral density filter
Hey Michael, all the guanacos I saw were female. The males weren’t around at this time of the year. That’s what makes it a good time to look for pumas, because if the guanacos are calling a warning sign, it’s because of only one thing (not a male guanaco, but a puma).
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Meet the guanaco. Easily the most commonly seen animal in Torres Del Paine (pronounced Pine-ay, by the way). Their ubiquity, and iconic shape upon the landscape reminded me a bit of photographing bison in Yellowstone. And like bison, they can be found individually or in large herds. This guanaco was keeping a close watch on a puma that had just unsuccessfully chased a herd further down the mountain. Guanacos can outrun pumas, but fall prey to the puma’s ambush tactics. As I often do, I used a graduated neutral density filter to hold the detail in the sky while exposing for the foreground.
Awesome critter standing in an awesome place. Must have been incredible to have seen it in person.
Thanks Sue. So many great views in this park and usually a guanaco right in the middle of it.
Could not have asked for a better pose against mountains in background
What a sight to see knew you would not disappoint on your new adventure
Aunt Sue
Thanks Aunt Sue.
Lovely shot.
Thanks Adam.
—– Common to
—– Ubiquitous
—– Tall agile fleet strong
—– Ready to represent
—– Like Franklin’s Turkey
—– With castinets
—– And little glamour.
—– I give you the Guanaco !
Beautiful!
Thanks Rachel.
great pic. ) great back ground, great color ect. ) IS THIS MALE OR FEMALE THAT STAND WACTH OVER THE FLOCK OF GUANANCOS AT NIGHT. ? )
Hey Michael, all the guanacos I saw were female. The males weren’t around at this time of the year. That’s what makes it a good time to look for pumas, because if the guanacos are calling a warning sign, it’s because of only one thing (not a male guanaco, but a puma).