[font color=\'#000000\']Michael-
Fortuitously your selection of photos illustrates the most rigid plank in my photographic soapbox. While your wildlife portraits are worthy, the environmental portraits of the animals in the larger landscape are a much more significant contribution to the "culture" of wildlife photography and photography as art. They go beyond close-ups that could be replicated in most zoos and wildlife farms, and thanks to your skills as a landscape photographer, show us so much more about the animals.
Too many of us feel that long lenses are required for wildlife photogrpahy, and that the point of it all is to fill as much frame as possible with hair or feathers. We feel we are obligated and justified in approaching the animals as close as possible. That line of thinking has led to a whole body of Park Service regulations, and to a large part encourages casual photographers and families to treat wildlife in parks like zoo animals. Even more, the urge to justify the price of a long lens with hairshots often blinds photographers to more meaningful broad views of the animal and its environment, often with the same long lens.
I won't pass up reasonable opportunities for frame-filling portraits with my own long lenses but rather than approaching too closely and stressing the animal, incurring the wrath of Park Service personnel, or setting unrealistic expectations for casual photographers, I seek exceptional environmental portraits if that is all the encounter presents. In that light your images are especially noteworthy.
Thanks!
Hank[/font]