My trip to Patagonia was all about the pumas, but there were many other species to be seen in Torres Del Paine, both furred and feathered. My favorite among them was the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk. I really wanted a few shots of this animal and was finally granted the opportunity on my final night in the park. They spend almost all their waking hours with their noses firmly planted in the ground, foraging for whatever it is they forage for. I was told their spray striking range is about ten feet on a windless day so I was cautious not to get too close when this skunk finally lifted up and started to regard me with suspicion. After sniffing the air a few times and growing comfortable with the snapping of my shutter, the skunk went back to foraging and wandered off into deeper brush. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 330mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/3200th of a second
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My trip to Patagonia was all about the pumas, but there were many other species to be seen in Torres Del Paine, both furred and feathered. My favorite among them was the Patagonian hog-nosed skunk. I really wanted a few shots of this animal and was finally granted the opportunity on my final night in the park. They spend almost all their waking hours with their noses firmly planted in the ground, foraging for whatever it is they forage for. I was told their spray striking range is about ten feet on a windless day so I was cautious not to get too close when this skunk finally lifted up and started to regard me with suspicion. After sniffing the air a few times and growing comfortable with the snapping of my shutter, the skunk went back to foraging and wandered off into deeper brush.
Eeeyyyhhh! So glad you did not get sprayed. I’ll bet Karen was even happier about that!
Ha. Yeah. But I would have sacrificed a bit of stink to get the shot. Luckily I didn’t have to go there.
Awesome shot, Sean! The moistened fur-look just kind of says, “back-off ‘cuz I look about as good as I smell”!
Ha. Yeah, the wet fur does add a bit of skunkiness.
—– Patagonian Snuffleupagus
—– Furry ruffian
—– Pink end for kissin’
—– The other for whiffin’
Excellent, Peter!
Wow, you are one brave soul!!!!
I was ready to run if she started to turn around. I figured I was far enough away, but you never know.