Thank you, Frank - I'm flattered!! Being the photographer, I can nit-pick the shot with such things as I wish the falling snow were more obvious, that I were a few steps to the left, etc. I was deliberately looking to demonstrate the winter coat of these animals, and how that changes their appearance markedly - see this:
http://pug.komkon.org/01mar/MarchPUG.html These obviously are semi-tame creatures, allowing an approach to about 30 feet or so - it makes things a whole lot easier. I'm fortunate that two other members of the Michigan PDML, Ken Waller and Mark Cassino, are both excellent Nature Photographers, and trying to keep up with the two of them improves my own photography. From Paul Stenquist, the other Michigan PDMLer, I'm learning to shoot dilapidated trailer parks.....<VBG!!> And thanks for taking the time to comment on the whole PUG this month - an accomplishment in itself!! -----Original Message----- From: frank theriault [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: January 04, 2004 3:09 PM "Whitetail Deer in the Snow" by Bill Sawyer: When I initially looked at the gallery, scanning through the thumbs, I opened this as soon as I saw it. It just jumped out at me, even as a thumbnail. When I opened it, I wasn't disappointed. Man, you nailed this one, Bill!! Everything is as close to perfect as can be: focus is Right There, composition is gorgeous (that tree in the upper left background, highlighted by the clumps of bright snow, balancing the deer's head on the right - man, it really came together for you, eh? <g>), beautiful bokeh (but still enough resolution that you can see what the background is), the snow on the animal, it appears to look right into the lens. I could go on and on, but suffice to say, this is one of the best shots this month, in a gallery that has an awful lot of strong images. Wow. Thanks for sharing it with us, Bill.
