Lion Tracks

[Malok]

A hike after a fresh snow reveals just how many others make use of the Rocky Mountain National Park trails. Birds, squirls, rabbits, bobcat and even mountain lion use the trails. For several miles on yesterday's walk I followed a set of mountain lion tracks, fortunately I was following them backwards.

Any thoughts on this image? I used a tree to block part of the sun to create the starburst effect. Unfortunately, I still got a little bit of refraction. I was dealing with quite a bit of extreme light here and so it is slightly over exposed in some areas. Any other thoughts good or bad?

http://morninglight.us/forum/nov4.jpg
EOS D300, F22, 1/30, 18mm, tripod.

[wpez72]

Very peaceful, this could easily be a christmas card :) I like the way you have used the tracks to draw the eye into the picture.

Nice shot!

Will.

[hank1105]

Malok - nice shot and great composition. I agree with wpez72, draws you right into the picture.

Hank

[IanBMW]

I agree it looks good. Perfect for a xmas card. Keep it up :D

[Scottes]

I like it - it's different and well done, great composition. But I don't like how the tracks are coming at you because they lead you into the picture, but backwards. Reverse the tracks (and lose a little glare) and it would be perfect, but the backwards tracks just... I don't know, they just kinda nibble at my mind telling me that something's wrong.

[Malok]

I hear what you are saying Scottes. There were two problems with getting that shot. Firstly, I would need to get around the tracks without making any myself, secondly the view looking back was not all that inspiring. The mountains could only be seen from this direction and there was little drama facing the other way due to the curve of the trail and the lack of interesting or supportive light. Perhaps it would have been easier if the lion was walking the other direction, though I probably would have been shaking a bit more when I took the shot knowing that I would catch up with them soon. Good thoughts though Scottes. Thanks!