Struggle for Survival

Posted by Shawn Stovall on Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:11 am

All times are UTC-05:00

0 people like this post

First unread post

| 7 posts |

Page 1 of 1

This is a Washita Map Turtle, very rare to our area. This picture was taken in a shallow pool just off Lake Texoma on the OK/TX Border in February. We experienced a massive fish kill in the pool due to Golden Agla. The alga cause the gills of fish to bleed, and they basically suffocate. It is not supposed to affect anything other than bivalves, but I found two small turtles dead and this one appeared to be very sluggish and let me get very close to it before it slid back into the murky water. I reported it to the OK. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and they told me they were very interested in the situation and planned to research the deaths more.

Canon D60, 100-400 IS.
All critiques appreciated.

Shawn Stovall

"Luck is when opportunity meets preparation"

Posted by:
Shawn Stovall
Forum Contributor

Location: Lake Texoma, OK
Posts: 74
Joined: 1 Mar 2004

by Tim Grams on Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:42 am

Tim Grams
Lifetime Member

Posts: 6317
Joined: 10 Sep 2003
Location: Alaska
Member #:00164

View portfolio

Nice image. The floating carp (?) really adds to the story and served as an excellent haul out for this poor turtle. The hazy background works well. Did you get a vertical with a reflection?

Tim
http://timgramsphotography.com

0 people like this post

by NDCheryl on Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:34 pm

NDCheryl
Lifetime Member

Posts: 16434
Joined: 19 Aug 2003
Location: Ft Wayne, IN
Member #:00026

View portfolio
Visit website

Shawn,

Very different turtle shot. That you for sharing the story behind the turtle on the fish as it adds to the impact of the image.

Cheryl Ertelt
http://www.photosphrases.com
NSN 0026 LTM

0 people like this post

by Dennis Olivero on Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:03 pm

Dennis Olivero
Lifetime Member

Posts: 7342
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Member #:00020

View portfolio
Visit website

I admired this photo on another site, Shawn, and think it is very strong, because of the turtle resting on the dead fish. Tells a story about nature. Thanks for sharing your work here..

[b]Dennis Olivero[/b]
[url=http://www.northernlightnaturephotography.com][b]Northern Light Nature Photography[/b][/url]
NSN 20

0 people like this post

by Juli Wilcox on Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:21 am

Juli Wilcox
Editor in Chief

Posts: 3373
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Location: Upper Great Plains
Member #:00010

View portfolio
Visit website

This is a very well done photo. It is not only technically accurate but compositionally and subject-matter-wise, it is exceptional!! I am very impressed.

[b]Juli Wilcox[/b]
[b]Former Editor in Chief, NSN[/b]

0 people like this post

by Gustav W. Verderber on Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:40 am

Gustav W. Verderber
Forum Contributor

Posts: 738
Joined: 17 Oct 2003
Location: Troy, Vermont

Visit website

Stunning capture, Shawn. Even the gold of the alga seems to resonate in the image. The out-of-focus pectoral fin bugs me a bit; I strive to keep all of my out-of-focus elements behind the main subject, though I realize that is not always possible (without falling into the lake?

) as evidenced by the snow bunting image I'm about to post.

The natural history behind the image is paramount, however and makes this a remarkable photo.

Gustav

Gustav W. Verderber is considered by "Vermont Magazine" to be one of Vermont's premier nature photographers.
His guide to "Photographing Yellowstone" is available from Countryman Press. View current tour and workshop itineraries at http://WWW.SOJOURNSINNATURE.COM.

0 people like this post

by apana on Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:21 am

apana
Forum Contributor

Posts: 622
Joined: 14 Jan 2004
Location: India

Visit website

I think this is a superb image.

Apana

AB Apana
http://bangalorephotographyworkshops.com

0 people like this post