Salmon Swing
December 03, 2019
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What appears to be a violent life-or-death encounter is actually a grizzly playing with his food.
This young male was full - at least for a little while - from eating lots of salmon. As he swam across a lagoon in SE Alaska, he used his paws to 'fish' for dead salmon carcasses.
He brought up this carcass, sat up in the water and started playing. H...
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Eye to Eye
December 01, 2019
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Ever wonder what it looks and feels like to come eye to eye with a big bull moose while hiking in the forest?
Even though they are large animals, it is amazing how quickly a bull moose can blend into the surrounding foliage, especially when bedded down.
This bull stood up; seemed to understand I wanted to take its picture and smiled for the camer...
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Side Charge!
November 29, 2019
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Two bull moose spar in Grand Teton National Park. This looks like a violent scene but they are just 'playing', or so that's what they should be doing this time of year.
Actual fights over females during the mating season can be very sudden and violent. Once mating season is over however, the males quiet down and hang out in groups.
These two were...
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Great Gray Owl
November 26, 2019
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The Great Gray Owl is one elusive bird!
Nicknamed the "Phantom of the North", this majestic bird is on many bird watchers list but few ever have the chance to see one. The world's largest owl species (by length), they like the cold and their habitat doesn't stretch far south of the Tetons.
Even though I spent a considerable amount of time in Gran...
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Salmon & Bears (Video)
November 22, 2019
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Ever wonder what happens when we're not watching?
Here's footage from a camera trap along a deserted stretch of a salmon-filled creek in Southeast Alaska, recorded this past summer.
I spent a couple of months in Southeast Alaska this summer to photograph the wildlife that relies on the annual salmon runs. For a few weeks, I hung a motion camera a...
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Imposing
November 20, 2019
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If you have the chance to spend time in moose country in fall, you're in for a treat. The mating season starts sometime in September and lasts into October. The big males (or bulls) fight one another for the privilege to mate with one or more of the females.
Here's one of the biggest bull moose from Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyomi...
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Black Bear Encounter
November 17, 2019
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Do you want to learn how to take better wildlife pictures?
Here's my book to get you started
Upon returning to the Yellowstone and Grand Teton area this fall season, I decided to go for a hike to see what I could find.
I was hoping to spot elk and it didn't take long before I heard the amazing sound of bugling come out of the forest. As I we...
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Giant Antlers
November 13, 2019
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One of my favorites of the past fall season at Grand Teton. This is one of the big guys at the Gros Ventre river area and it's hard to imagine those giant antlers don't get in the way more as he walks through the dense bushes!
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Face to Face
November 10, 2019
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These two moose are 'play fighting' or sparring. During the annual moose rut (or mating season), things get decidedly more violent and injuries occur.
Once the rut is over, the males can't seem to help themselves and regularly test out the antlers on their head by going face to face with another male!
I have some great images from my recent stay...
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Fishing Black Bear
November 07, 2019
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If you've been following some of my previous posts about black bears, you're probably thinking that all they eat are berries or grass.
Bears are omnivores and this black bear caught a nice fish right in front of my camera lens.
While Alaska and its annual salmon runs are most commonly associated with brown/grizzly bears, black bears are no slouch...
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Smiley Face
November 01, 2019
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In the small Alaskan town of Hyder, it is said that bears outnumber people. Whether that's the case, I can't say for sure.
The town is home to about 50 year-round residents and is usually referred to as a "ghost town". That being said, it seems that most times when you drive or walk through town, you see at least one black bear...
This black bear...
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Who Is Playing With The Camera? (Video)
October 31, 2019
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The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem - which includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks - is home to many bears. Both black and brown (or grizzly) bears thrive in the area.
One morning, I met this black bear mom and her two coys (cubs born during the past winter) on a trail. I kept my distance and setup my camera with a motion control sensor...
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Bears Love Berries
October 23, 2019
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Berries make up an important part of a bear's diet. Once the berries become ripened in late summer, look no further than where the berries are and you will find bears.
One afternoon, I was sitting next to a creek in Alaska. The creek was filled with spawning chum and pink salmon. I was there awaiting grizzly (brown) and black bears to come feast o...
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Grizzly Bear Charge (Twice!)
October 14, 2019
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Wow, where do I start. I was just charged by a big grizzly bear.
I just got back to my camper in the National Forest just outside of Grand Teton National Park. I went hiking with my dog in the National Forest and was charged by a grizzly bear - twice -!!
The adrenaline was pumping during the attack. So much goes through your mind when a 500-pound...
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Grizzly Shake
October 11, 2019
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The rain forests of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska provide a challenge for wildlife photography.
Never mind the almost continuing rain that threatens to soak your camera gear. You can buy rainproof covers for your camera and lens.
The bigger issue is the lack of light. The trees are so tall that they block much of the light. The...
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