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Scottish Highland Cow in Belgium


Scottish Highland Cow in Belgium
Photo Information
Copyright: Nel Diepstraten (NellyD) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 362 W: 0 N: 697] (2745)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-09-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon 350 D
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-23 12:38
Viewed: 942
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On a three day vacation in the Ardennes in Belgium, we went to a wildlife park called "Parc animalier La Reid".
This wildpark is in a forest,which is approximately 40 ha are large. The park accommodates stag families, some brown roars, several wild boars, moeflons, bizons and wolves and ofcourse Scottish Highland cows.
And this is one of those cows, he or she was laying there so relaxed and was looking my way (at least I think it did, couldn' t see it's eyes because of the big hair....).
So this was a nice shot for me to take.

Here are some facts I found on Wikipedia:

Highland cattle are an ancient Scottish breed of cattle with long horns and shaggy pelts. The breed was developed in the Highlands and western coastal regions of Scotland, and breeding stock has been exported to Australia and North America since the 1900s. The breed was developed from two sets of stock, one originally black, and the other reddish. Today, Highland cattle come in a wide variety of colours.

Highlands are known as a hardy breed (most likely due to the rugged nature of their native Scottish Highlands), which will eat plants other cattle avoid. They both graze and browse. The meat tends to be leaner than most beef, as highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than subcutaneous fat. This coat also makes them a good breed for cold Northern climates.

Highland cattle were the earliest registered breed, with the registry ("herd book") established in 1884. Although groups of cattle are generally called herds, a group of highlands is known as a fold. The breed is affectionately known as "shaggy coos" or "hairy coos" in parts of Scotland. They were also known as "kyloes" in Lowland Scots - possibly a corruption of Gàidhealach meaning of "Gaelic culture", or by conflation with "kye", an old name for cow.

Notably, Highland cattle were successfully established in Italian Dolomites, in wide open areas. Their hair provides protection during the cold winters, and their skill in browsing for food is also important in order to survive in such a steep mountain area.
SkyF, ScottHale, PierreFrigon, broadcaster, vsinopoulos, pitufo has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To ruudblok: Hoi Ruud,NellyD 1 12-08 08:40
To vsinopoulos: Hi Vassilis,NellyD 1 11-12 11:39
To Sarah171: Hi Joe,NellyD 1 11-02 15:25
To Janone: Hoi Jan,NellyD 1 11-02 11:59
To ScottHale: Hi Scott,NellyD 1 10-29 12:41
To PierreFrigon: Hi Pierre,NellyD 1 10-29 10:28
To SkyF: Hi Sky,NellyD 1 10-26 16:39
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Nel.

Excellent picture.

Regards.

  • Great 
  • Stijn Silver Note Writer [C: 3 W: 1 N: 10] (115)
  • [2006-10-23 16:16]

Machtig beest!
Jammer van dat ene vlekje op zijn achterwerk. Voor de rest heel mooi detail in de zwarte vacht. Centrale compositie wordt meestal afgeraden, maar bij deze foto stoort mij dat helemaal niet.

Hello Nel,
Lovely portrait of this scary looking creature!
Impressive animal indeed, and "cow" is not the first term coming to my mind when seeing this...
Well composed, good colours and fine details in the fur coat!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Nel,
This is what I looked like in the 70's, although much thinner. I like the composition here with much more room on the right than the left. I also enjoy the way you have captured him sitting in the tall grass as not to show his uncomfortable legs and feet. Welcome to Trek Lens! Nice job,
Scott

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1666 W: 136 N: 1263] (6138)
  • [2006-10-26 15:49]
  • [+]

Hi Nel,
This shot is wonderful. POV, sharpness and colors are lovely . Very well composed and
Welcome to Treklense
Sky

Very good photo. Great BG that brings out the details in the beast.
Very sharp and clear.
TFS.
Pierre

Hi Nel

I think you have an excellent idea in this photo. The texture in the fur and the imposing presence are strong elements in this image. You could improve it by watching your background a bit more closely. The two trees in the background seem go be growing out of the beast's back and head and, as such, are a bit distracting. Always watch for poles or trees or anything that might distract from your main subject.
Keep shooting Nel.

Regards,
Joe

Hello Nel.
Very nice capture, well done.
TFS and best wishes.

Hallo Nel.
Very well captured Highlander. Far from home he is, aswel where you grappie.
Jan

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1320 W: 31 N: 1634] (9994)
  • [2006-11-11 11:44]

What a majestic beast. I don't think I would get that close (mind you I wander around close to the wild stags!) Excellent POV, colours and composition. Great subject

TFS

Karan

Very impressive animal, with those horns, but a little funny too, with its hair in the eyes. Nice blurred BG.

TFS,

Andreea

Hi Nel,
First of all wel come to TL and I hope to see many nice postings from you.
Excellent capture, very nice low level composition, great DOF and good detail. Informative note.
Well done,
Vassilis

P.S. Out of smilies, I'll be back!

Verdwaalt zeker?
Ik ken ze alleen in het bruin. Maar deze is zeker mooi en goed vast gelegd Nel
Dit is onze eerste ontmoeting op TL geloof ik. En als je het zo leuk gaat vinden als ik dan heb je nog veel plezier voor de boeg. Veel succes
Ruud

bravo nelly,il est magnifique et bravo aussi por tes commentaires

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