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FollowBull Moose in Grand Tetons among the fall colors and in rutting season settled in for a long rest in the drizzle of a rain storm
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Bull Moose in Grand Tetons among the fall colors and in rutting season settled in for a long rest in the drizzle of a rain storm
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Behind The Lens
Location
This is images was taken the the Grand Tetons in Fall where we waited for a couple hours in hopes that he would get up from his resting place.Time
The rain came down on a late afternoon and I had to crouch under rain gear as the chill and damp air tried to chase me away from the area, I was just glued to the location as this Bull Moose was resting near two cows. He would lay in the long grass a for a bit and then lift his head up to see if the ladies stayed put and then nuzzle in for a little more rest.Lighting
The light was soft and flat do to the weather sitting on top of all the spectators, but it added to the mood of this exhausted Bull as he was in full rutting reasonEquipment
This shot was taken with a Canon 1DX and a fixed Canon 500mm and not flash as not to disturb the resting giant.Inspiration
When you travel into the Grand Teton area the hope is that you will always have an opportunity to see animals in the habitat just doing what they do and to come across such a wonderful Moose was not only exciting but it was my first encounter with a Bull Moose and I felt very lucky that the hours I did spend produced images of pretty amazing behaviors beyond this resting position. These amazing animals deserve our respect and some distance.Editing
This image was taken with a fixed 500mm and was still pretty heavy on the crop as to give this amazing animal the space necessary to be respectful of him and the two females in his company. The tone was also tweaked in LR a bit to bring out the color tones of the brush he was laying in.In my camera bag
I use Canon products as my first camera was a used 5D. It has since been retired and I use both a 1DX with the Canon 500mm fixed lens. I also purchased the 6D as it was hard to continue changing out the lens from the fixed 500 to my other favorites all the time, and wildlife never has an appointment so I didn't want to be trying to switch with the biggest lens all the time. I have the 100-400 push pull from Canon that I really like, a fixed Canon 50mm, and the 70-104 on board pretty much all the time. I have two Sirui Tripods one to accommodate the 500mm and a smaller to make packing in easier.Feedback
My advice on wildlife is have a camera with you at all times, not necessarily all your gear but something that when you see something move in the grass you have the ability to take the moment right then and there, pull the car safely over during the commute to work,school or to see family. As I said before animals never have an appointment. I find my best luck is getting myself out of bed earlier then others are willing to. Don't hit the snooze button and get up for the pre-dawn and dusk hours. When you are actively pursuing wildlife they will be less likely to be observed during the most active hours that people are out and about. The last thing is be willing to wait if you see wildlife stay respectful and patient and you may capture rare behaviors that had you moved on to look for something else would be missed.