Posts in Category: moose
Yellowstone! Papa Moose
Moose: Upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — The young bull disappeared into the willows at one point, and we all heard a mighty clashing of antlers, so we knew there was another bull in there somewhere, and sure enough, eventually he emerged at the east end of the willow stand. He was not the largest moose you will ever see, but he was impressive, with an impressive rack. Good enough for me! Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife medications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! More morning moose
Moose: Upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — We were still photographing the two cow moose when this feisty young bull, maybe with his first set of antlers, crossed the road west of us a ways and came up the other side through the valley, and finally came around to cross the road east of us and join the two cows along the edge of the willows. He might not have had much for antlers, but he made up for it in attitude. And he was, as they say, the picture of health…well built and solidly muscled. Fun to watch as he pranced his prance trying to impress the ladies. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600 and 500mm equivalents. (The final shot is only at 500mm so you can figure how close he was.) Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Cow moose in the morning
Moose: upper Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — People had been telling us for a few days that they were seeing moose by the Pebble Creek Campground, and we had looked for a few days on our way back and forth from our lodging in Silver Gate, but to no avail. We got out early this morning and drove directly there in hopes of catching one. We caught them just leaving the meadows behind the campground and headed up over the hill to the west. As we were leaving though there was a car off the road down the way the moose had been going, and sure enough there was a cow moose grazing at the edge of the willows just barely 25 yards from the road. As we were photographing her, another cow came out of the willows just a way back toward the campground. This one was obviously carrying at least one calf, and maybe two. It was a great encounter. And it only got better. Stay tuned. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400Di3 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Mom and calf Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — breakfast time is over and the cow and calf are making tracks for the ridge and wherever they spend the day. The early autumn sun and their wet hides make them look like polished brass. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Momma Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Mom moose seemed to prefer the reeds under the water…perhaps because they were more tender. In this portrait the colors make or break it…the autumn tones of the reeds, the early morning sun, the reflections in the water. And it is, of course both head-and-shoulders and over-the-shoulder. 🙂 Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Moose
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Another morning, same moose. The bull, cow, and calf were at Floating Island Lake in Yellowstone when we returned the next morning. This time the bull was more cooperative, standing side on rather than butt towards us. We had to wait until the sun moved the shadow of a tall tree off him, but then he posed nicely for us. This is not a particularly large bull, which is why, perhaps, he was riding close attendance on this cow and calf, hoping to improve his chances when she is receptive. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm and 187mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Attendant
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — As I mentioned before, this bull moose was in attendance on the cow and calf. I am not certain how the cow and calf felt about it, but the bull was staying close. Here he appears to be attempting to herd them up over the ridge behind the pond, or, on the other hand, he may be trying to keep up with them as they go over the ridge. ? Anyway, it makes a great shot…and at the distance, about 300 yards, the Tamron at f6.3 keeps them all in focus. Sony a6700 with Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Hoping to get lucky
Moose: Floating Island Lake, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — It is rutting season in Yellowstone, and this bull moose was in close attendance on the calf and cow we found feeding at the edge of the reeds in Floating Island Lake…I am told that it is a rare sight to see a bull “guarding” a cow with a calf the way his was, but I think maybe he was just hoping to get “lucky”. He seems to have romance on his mind in this shot. The cow may be somewhat reluctant as she still has this spring’s calf with her, but if he catches her in just the right 12 hour period when she is receptive, he might have a chance. He does seem determined. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Cow and Calf up to their necks
Moose: In our first early morning encounter with the moose family at Floating Island Lake in Yellowstone National Park, both the cow and calf were in the water, walking (or swimming in the case of the calf) along the edge of the reeds, feeding below waterline on the wilted vegetation. With the warm direct sun, and the reflections in the pond, it was a sight to see and a treat to photograph. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Moose encounter
Moose: Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Early in the morning before the sun reached the valley floor. This big bull, at least two females and a young bull. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.