The oryx is a mysterious creature, some believing that it is the antelope on which the unicorn is based. The oryx, of course, has two straight horns, rather than just one, but I can see where the comparison makes sense. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 800, f/5.6 at 1/13th of a second
Hi Sean, great picture (again :-)!). I seem to remember you saying that most of the pictures you take with your 200-400m lens are hand-held? How on earth do you manage to avoid camera-shake with such a heavy lens :-)? Thx, Brian
Thanks Brian, yes, I almost always handhold the 200-400. With the vibration reduction, I can get sharp results down to about 1/15th of a second (not always, but most of the time). The above shot was 1/13th but I was using the vehicle to stabilize the lens. When I’m hiking, I just hook the tripod foot of the lens to my waist belt so that all the weight is on my hip. When I see something, the lens is ready to go. My arms do get tired after holding the camera to my eye for an extended period of time, but that’s a small trade off to be able to be ready for a shot almost instantaneously (no planting a tripod, locking the ball head and then shooting). I still do always carry a lightweight tripod, but I use that for my wide angle lens when I am doing landscape work and need longer shutter speeds.
The Oryx is indeed a mysterious creature. Its horns are usually the first thing one notices because they are so tall and straight. However, your photo brings out the beautiful markings on this animal. The markings on the face, body, and forelegs really complement one another in a beautiful design.
Hey Elizabeth, there are three different genus of oryx in Africa. The one that lives in east Africa is the oryx beisa, commonly called the East Africa oryx and the one that lives in the south of Africa is the oryx gazella, commonly called the gemsbok. This photo was taken in Botswana, so yes, it is a gemsbok.
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Hi Sean, great picture (again :-)!). I seem to remember you saying that most of the pictures you take with your 200-400m lens are hand-held? How on earth do you manage to avoid camera-shake with such a heavy lens :-)? Thx, Brian
Thanks Brian, yes, I almost always handhold the 200-400. With the vibration reduction, I can get sharp results down to about 1/15th of a second (not always, but most of the time). The above shot was 1/13th but I was using the vehicle to stabilize the lens. When I’m hiking, I just hook the tripod foot of the lens to my waist belt so that all the weight is on my hip. When I see something, the lens is ready to go. My arms do get tired after holding the camera to my eye for an extended period of time, but that’s a small trade off to be able to be ready for a shot almost instantaneously (no planting a tripod, locking the ball head and then shooting). I still do always carry a lightweight tripod, but I use that for my wide angle lens when I am doing landscape work and need longer shutter speeds.
Forget the fine horns—-My lingerie is handsome too—-At better stores soon.
The Oryx is indeed a mysterious creature. Its horns are usually the first thing one notices because they are so tall and straight. However, your photo brings out the beautiful markings on this animal. The markings on the face, body, and forelegs really complement one another in a beautiful design.
While in Africa I understood this animal to be a Gemsbok. Is “oryx” a term that includes other antelope?
Hey Elizabeth, there are three different genus of oryx in Africa. The one that lives in east Africa is the oryx beisa, commonly called the East Africa oryx and the one that lives in the south of Africa is the oryx gazella, commonly called the gemsbok. This photo was taken in Botswana, so yes, it is a gemsbok.
incredible animal, gorgeous shot!
Lovely Placement & simple composition.