Challenging Environment - No Turkey Shoot
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 3:54PM
Iain Williams in Cliff, Desert, Flinders Ranges National Park, Project - Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies, South Australia, Tree, Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies

The yellow foots are right there - not 30 yards. The light is perfect and it looks like an easy shot. Think again, as this is no turkey shoot.

I have to maneuver myself into a suitable position by jostling amongst the rocks, being careful not to fall from the 45 degree slope. The tripod must be placed securely because the light is low and a slow shutter speed will be used. Then there are the cassarina trees and the dead branches and logs that seem to be located in the most annoying places - like right in front of the lens!

I have to position myself so as to remove these annoying obstructions as no one wants an image of wallaby with a tree growing from its head! 7/10 times after all this moving here and there, the wallaby bounds away apparently tired of your sideshow antics. Add to this a very short time envelope due to the sun setting and minimal light (the location is a easterly facing cliff and the sun sets behind the cliff.) However, with patience (and time) a successful shot can be accomplished.

The image at left really does not to the region justice, but the yellow foots hang out on the ledge you can see.  To photograohy them you must drag yourslef and equipment up onto the ledges and around the base of the rocks.

Article originally appeared on Anaspides Photography - Iain D. Williams (https://www.anaspidesphotography-blog.com/).
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