I wasn’t going to put this photo up as it is too soft but the beauty of this buck and his magnificent rack had to be shown. He’s a 12 pointer.
Dick ( http://www.pbase.com/richardr/cadescovewildlife) and I were driving the loop road in Cades Cove last Sunday and we saw a pair of large bucks moving through very thick woods just off the road. They were perhaps 60 feet away. I jumped out of the car and walked quickly on a line to intersect their route. While walking I shoved my ISO on the D2x all the way to Hi-2 (3200). I had my 70-200mm VR lens with a 1.7 TC attached and I moved the f/stop to its wide open position, which is 4.8 with the TC attached. The woods were very dark and the deer were moving. From 20 feet or so away I was able to get off three shots that were clear of the trees and brush. One more stop and this would have been a nice one but, alas, there was just not enough light in these thick woods. Close but no cigar time.
But I tell you, standing that close to a pair of such magnificent animals was thrilling. Too bad the D2x doesn’t go to ISO 6400 like the D 100 does. :^)
You can bet I’ll be looking for this guy during the rutting season.