HOW I GOT THE SHOT: A few years ago I hiked the Tavor Valley down from Belvoir until I was chased out by a charging mother cow (horns and all) seeking to protect a young calf hidden in tall grass in the direction I was walking. I discovered I can run very fast with my 20-kilo shoulder bag and that my heart is strong. Once I altered my course the pursuit ended, but no apologies were offered. And I didn't get any memorable photos.
This time approaching the valley from the western side on a glorious spring day, results were different. White puffies floated overhead, seemingly close enough to reach out and touch. A stiff breeze bent wheat stalks covering the hills, which remain a vibrant green until late spring when the absence of rain browns the country's northern landscape. I like this shot because the colors are strong and the treeline provides a nice contrast and separation between earth and sky.
There are moments, as on this day, when I stop, stand still and applaud. Always it's for my children or hiking companions, to show them how deeply I appreciate God's handiwork and that looking alone is not enough. And because I didn't see a single cow until dinner!
TECHNICAL DATA: Nikon D300, handheld, manual exposure, evaluative metering mode, f18 at 1/400th sec., ISO 400. Raw file converted to Jpeg. Lens: Nikon 12-24 super wide zoom at 12 mm. Date: April 11, 2012, 9:46 a.m. Location: Above Nahal Tavor near Kibbutz Gazit, Lower Galilee. Special thanks to our guide, Eitan Cooper, for a fabulous outing.
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