Posts in Category: morning

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! Elk Cows

Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — While the big bull elk are the stars of the show, it would be a mistake to pass over the more subtle beauty of the cows and calves. Especially in the early morning sun. These four shots are from the herd that hangs out in and around Mammoth Hot Springs…#24’s harem. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent, except for the cow and calf which was 384mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Yellowstone! moving the harem

Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — #24 moving his harem and family up over the foot of the upper terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs. Bulging all the way. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (close ups) and 99mm equivalent (wide shot). I am really enjoying this lens for both wildlife and landscape. 🙂 Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Yellowstone! #24 in sunlight

Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2014 — We eventually did get to see #24 in all his glory in the full, if still early, sun. This is a buck elk to recon with. As the sun touched the ridge on the far side of the valley and lit up the terrace of the hot springs behind us, #24 quickly crossed the road, along with most of his harem, to feed in the tall grasses at the foot of the terrace. He paused just on the other side to bugle the rest of the herd across the road…showing us all of his good sides. Note how healthy he looks…the smoothness of his coat, the tone of his muscles. This is an elk buck in his prime. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Yellowstone! First light

First light on the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. I am finding the 75mm equivalent of the Tamron 50-400 to be a very useful landscape lens…especially the grand scale landscape of Yellowstone…and I have not found the need to switch the Sony a6700 from my Program mode bird and wildlife modifications to take landscapes. If the camera does not find a bird or animal, it reverts to normal focus and works just fine. Processed in Photomator.

Maine! Herring Gull with a prize

Herring Gull: York County, Maine, USA, January 2024 — Not my favorite gull, but then gulls are not my favorite birds either. 🙂 Early in the morning on the beach, after the storm. OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.