Close encounters of the Moose kind

[terrib]

I spent a few days in the Walden, CO area in search of moose and was not disappointed. Unlike my experience in Rocky Mountain National Park, I found these guys while on foot and alone in a remote area. I arrived before sunrise and came upon them within a few minutes of hiking the trail. I noticed the antlers through the willows and while I was still trying to discern what I was looking at, he stood up. I was able to keep up with his location by watching the tops of the trees shaking so I went around the trees and put some distance between us. I then realized there was another bull still laying in the stand of willows. I'd read up on moose behavior and learned much from a workshop a few years ago so I felt relatively safe as I watched them. However, there was some trepidation in the knowledge that these 2 might not be the only ones in the playground and how easily these huge animals can be hidden in the trees. I was able to spend over two hours watching them. Most of that time was observing them in and out of the willows without clear shots or great light but I managed a few shots that I like. Regardless of the shots, the experience was most exhilarating!

#1 1/800, f8, ISO 3200 at 250mm



#2 1/800 f5.6, ISO 3200 at 235mm I shot this one really crooked and in straightening lost some on the left side.



#3 1/800, f5.6, ISO 400 at 200mm. There was a creek between us and I was standing behind willows on my side.



#4 1/800, f7.1, ISO 400 at 130mm.



#5 1/800, f8, ISO 400 at 275mm. I would have liked more shots of them in the water but I realized they were crossing to my side so I put more distance between us rather than continuing to shoot. They walked across, unconcerned with me, and layed down to rest in another stand of willows. Seemed like a good time to let them be.

[chauncey]

IMHO...ya done good...enjoyable afternoon.

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful photos and narrative! Quite nice sets of antlers!

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[rpcrowe]

Great shots...

[Rita]

Nice images. You hit the jackpot with these two.

[terrib]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments!