I photographed this Antelope Island pronghorn during a June afternoon in Utah. Its sharp profile and forked horns stood out against the pale grassland.
Antelope Island Pronghorn in Summer Grassland
I made this photograph at Antelope Island State Park on June 6, 2022. The park’s open grasslands provide habitat where visitors may encounter pronghorn.
This animal held its head up while I watched from my truck. Its dark horns, white facial markings, and dark cheek patch were clear in the afternoon light.
The side view also separated the pronghorn from the simple background. Nothing behind it competed with the shape of its head and horns.
The photograph was made at 4:14 p.m. Summer light can be strong at that hour, but it helped reveal fine detail around the face.
Photographing the Pronghorn From My Truck
I photographed the pronghorn through the open truck window. A beanbag draped over the window gave the camera firm support.
At 500 mm, I could frame a close profile without leaving the vehicle. The long focal length also helped soften the distant grassland.
I used a fast shutter speed to guard against movement. A small amount of positive exposure compensation helped with the bright areas of the coat.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- Focal length: 500 mm
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter speed: 1/2000 second
- ISO: 800
- Exposure compensation: +1/3
- Support: Beanbag draped over the truck window
- Date and time: June 6, 2022, at 4:14 p.m.
The clean profile made this a simple but memorable wildlife portrait. The horns and face carried the photograph without needing a complicated setting.
I also liked the layers of muted color behind the pronghorn. They gave the scene a strong sense of the open Utah landscape.
Encounters like this remind me to watch for quiet poses. An animal does not need to run or feed to create an interesting photograph.