Mammals Coyote in Winter - Edmonton, AB

[brphotographycanada]

My dad and I were hoping to find a snowy owl but instead we came across a coyote just outside Edmonton. I'm quite pleased with this shot.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 125

However, I had a bit of trouble getting the camera to properly focus on the coyote and not the snowbank in the background. I would be open to any suggestions on how to improve my "hit rate". From this current set, there's only 5 out of about 50 that are decent. I had the camera set on HI+ drive, AF-C, Focus Area: Tracking: Expand Shot, Recognition Target: Birds, Electronic Shutter/Silent Mode. Do the "Birds" vs "Bird/Animals" vs "Animals" tracking modes make that much difference? Part of the reason I'm asking for feedback is the green focus square(s) were on the animal almost the whole time.

• ILCE-7RM5
• FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS
• 200.0 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 160

 

[Unframed Dave]

Personally, I don't rely on tracking for wildlife, but then I'm a bit of a luddite. I would not have expected your coyote to present too much of a challenge, it's big and presents plenty of contrast.

I use centre spot small for animals on the ground such as this and use the joystick to move the spot round as required. I do use eye recognition.

For birds in the air, I switch to expanding group and keep it in the middle of the sensor.