Testing new 24-70 on night javelinas

[MrFotoFool]

I was home all day waiting for UPS to deliver my refurbished Nikon Z 24-70 f2.8S lens. It did not arrive until sunset, so I cancelled plan to go out in the field. About an hour later I heard rocks moving on the slope below my second story condo. I knew it was javelinas so I looked out my balcony and there were around eight or so, including one baby. I threw the new lens on my Z6iii and went outside to follow them. I took an LED flashlight but did not use it much (only shown here in last shot, with my hand subduing the strong output).

I cranked down the exposure compensation and shot away at f2.8 and slow shutter speed. What pleasantly surprised me is how it was able to focus in almost no light. These are unadjusted camera JPEG files and yet to the naked eye is was darker than it looks here. The available light was very dim from soft round parking lot bulbs (plus moon).

I often hear locals say how dangerous they are, especially with babies. My personal experience is suburban javelinas like this remain calm if I approach slowly and quietly. The only people I read about being attacked are those who try to feed them (I am not that stupid) and those walking dogs (which I do not have). These are not cropped, so you can see how close I was (often sitting on the ground next to them).

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Micky]

Nice shots. Javelinas are interesting critters.

 

[Mark Garfinkel]

Nice, and a great lens to boot.

 

[Gaduf]

Never heard of these animals or seen them before.
Thanks for sharing Fred.
Gavin

 

[Louis champan]

I've seen plenty of these Javelinas but never in a city environment, nice catches.

 

[MrFotoFool]

Never heard of these animals or seen them before.
Thanks for sharing Fred.
Gavin

Everyone here calls them by the Spanish name javelina, but the English name is collared peccary.

 

[Topper1946]

Very cool. Did not know they had become city dwellers. Have only seen them in Big Bend.

 

[Doc Murdock]

Nice photos, especially given the lighting conditions! In July 2023 I was visiting Tucson and encountered a group of Javelinas as I began an early morning walk at beautiful Sabino Canyon. A couple stopped to watch me. I was unprepared and only got a snapshot. Then, all scurried away into the brush. I later told a friend about the special experience, but I mispronounced Javelina as jave-uh-lee-nuh. He laughed and taught me to say ha-vuh-lee-nuh.

 

[MrFotoFool]

Doc that's a really nice sighting because I have never seen them at Sabino Canyon.

 

[Doc Murdock]

The Javelinas were crossing the trail just a little past the visitor center. I had just begun my hike and hadn’t checked my camera settings. By the time I changed the settings I only got a pic of one crossing the trail and then some pics of rear ends as the group walked into the brush. My daughter lives a bit south of the canyon near the intersection of Tanque Verde and Kolb Roads. She’s reported seeing a few in the early morning when she walks her dog. I look forward to returning to Tucson to do some more wildlife photography. I really liked Sabino Canyon and want to explore other areas, too.