Frozen Beast

Fighting through the deep snow to get a good vantage point was nothing compared to the undeserving luck I had of seeing this frozen bull standing in the middle ...
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Fighting through the deep snow to get a good vantage point was nothing compared to the undeserving luck I had of seeing this frozen bull standing in the middle of a freezing river. Unfortunately, we weren’t the only ones there, but I was able to trudge past the group of photographers and isolate myself next to the river bank to get the composition I wanted. It was one of those moments that everything lined up. The bull was calm, but looking right at me as icicles hung from his beard. The trees in the background perfectly framed his huge body as it reflected in the slow current beneath him. Sometimes I get home to review my images, and it’s only then that I recognize a photo that impacts me. This one was different. I sat there in the powdery snow, not caring that I had ice down my shirt and pants, while I watched this moment with my naked eye as if I was staring at the final edited image. I value every encounter that I have with wildlife, but this one in particular gave me an overwhelming sense of gratitude that far exceeded anything that I had ever experienced in the wild. For me, it was perfect. There was nothing I could’ve done to orchestrate or plan for it. It was merely a moment that happened on its own… completely by chance. My only role was to be in the right place at the right time and document it.
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