Chuckwalla / High Ground

While exploring an unmarked canyon, searching for a historic spring. I encountered one of North America’s largest lizard species. I began photographing it as I slowly approached. Hopefully improving each previous image. Eventually reached the limits of my 400mm F 4.5 lens, its closest focal distance about 12’, (3.7 meters). My dilemma backtrack to my next focal length lens, 200mm f 2.8. Not liking the odds of approaching my subject close enough to pickup where I left off were slim. Before ending this shooting session, I sat still and thought and looked “outside the box”. I reached in my gear bag. I grabbed an extension tube designed for my 50mm macro lens. Theoretically placing it between any focal length would increase the lens’ minimal focal distance. And yes it did, increasing the 400mm lens’ minimal focal distance to a minimal of around 9’ (2.7 meters). It doesn’t sound like much but it enabled me just enough for a few more frames achieving this full frame image.