Ibex Bucks Sparring
by Morris Finkelstein
Title
Ibex Bucks Sparring
Artist
Morris Finkelstein
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
The Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana), a member of the family Bovidae, is a wild mountain goat found in the deserts of the Middle East, with a total global population estimated at less than 10,000 animals. They stand about 2.6 feet tall and weigh about 110 pounds. They are light tan in color with white bellies, and males have a dark stripe down the back. The horns which are curved backwards and around may, in males, reach 3 feet in length. Being herbivores, their diet in the desert consist mostly of grasses and desert foliage. Their predators in the wild include wolves, leopards, fox, eagles, and vultures. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has assessed this species as globally "Vulnerable" with declining populations, and existing human pressures (habitat destruction, hunting, farm livestock). The largest Nubian Ibex herds in the world are seen in Israel, mostly in the Negev and Judean deserts. They are protected under Israel's Wildlife Protection Law, which was enacted in 1955.
Nubian Ibexes becoming active at sunrise in the Negev desert overlooking the Ramon Crater were photographed 2-20-2019, on the last day of our 18 day visit to Israel. Seeing a tribe of wild Nubian Ibexes in their challenging desert habitat was the highlight of our trip. I used a Nikon D850 camera body and a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR2 lens to capture this image of two Nubian Ibex bucks sparring, in morning light, on top of rocks at the Ramon Crater. Settings: 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600.
I am honored that my photograph was featured in the Fine Art America groups:
Pure Nature Photography, 6-18-2019
Our 4-Legged Friends, 7-5-2019
Animals, 7-8-2019
10 Plus, 7-12-2019
Images That Excite You, 7-28-2019
FAA Portraits, 7-29-2019
Animal Photographs, 9-5-2019
Five Star Artist, 9-25-2019
USA Photographers Only, 9-26-2019
Photography And Nature 101, 9-27-2019
Animal Mania, 10-3-2019
Kingdom Animalia, 10-23-2019
The 200 Club, 12-3-2019
Photographic Camera Art, 10-17-2020
The Magic Hour Of Blue And Gold Photography, 8-23-2021
The Art Connection Network, 11-2-2021
Art Forever, 12-21-2021
Your Very Best Photography, 12-24-2021
Just Perfect, 12-27-2021
Artists Promoting Their Own Work, 2-21-2022
Off The Beaten Path, 2-21-2022
Wildlife One-A-Day, 7-9-2022
Comment For Comment, 7-11-2022
100 Favorite, 11-21-2022
Mind-Blowing Photography, 11-22-2022
Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery "Best of the Best" Special Feature, 4-23-2023
Third Place in FAA Contest
"Art District 6th Anniversary"
3-18-2023; Admin. Pamela Williams
First Place in FAA Contest
"Wildlife In Nature"
7-5-2022; Admin. Northern Light Gallery
First Place in FAA Contest
New Logo For Our 4-Legged Friends"
2-28-2022; Admin. Mariola Bitner
First Place (tied) in FAA Contest
"Wildlife In Nature"
11-28-2021; Admin. Jordan Hill
First Place (tied) in FAA Contest
"Wildlife With Antlers Or Horns Photography"
10-22-2021; Admin. Larry Kniskern
KEYWORDS: ibex bucks sparring, nubian ibex, capra nubiana, ibex, goat, wild goat, mountain goat, bovidae, mammal, animal, herd, tribe, vulnerable, IUCN, fur, tan, white, brown, horns, cliffs, rocks, rocky, sand, desert, dry, arid, climbing, climber, nature, natural, wild, wildlife, outdoors, sky, sunrise, dawn, colorful, morning, male, buck, large, fighting, sparring, spar, ecotravel, ecotourism, tourism, winter, ramon crater, negev, israel, middle east, morris finkelstein, st. louis, missouri, photograph, digital, horizontal, action, portrait, close up, nikon d850, photography
Uploaded
June 15th, 2019
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