Moosing around
Sep 30, 2013 02:19:43 #
The moose are coming down with the first snowfall of the year in the mountains!
I'd love some pointers on these shots from those of you with more experience. The light for all of them was poor, as most of the time moose only come out at dawn or at dusk, and all of these were in the shadows. The family was about a hundred yards away and that image is cropped from a shot taken at 200mm. The others were taken from about 10-20 yards out.
I increased the ISO and opened the aperture, while attempting to keep shutter speed at or slightly above focal distance. I'm not sure what else to have done, except get closer, but that was about as close as I could, or even wanted to get--except the family which was across a ravine and a creek.
I'd love some pointers on these shots from those of you with more experience. The light for all of them was poor, as most of the time moose only come out at dawn or at dusk, and all of these were in the shadows. The family was about a hundred yards away and that image is cropped from a shot taken at 200mm. The others were taken from about 10-20 yards out.
I increased the ISO and opened the aperture, while attempting to keep shutter speed at or slightly above focal distance. I'm not sure what else to have done, except get closer, but that was about as close as I could, or even wanted to get--except the family which was across a ravine and a creek.
The largest bull Moose I've ever seen in the wild
You don't see this very often--the whole family!
This guy was watching us watch the family above from behind
Sep 30, 2013 02:27:15 #
Sep 30, 2013 02:41:19 #
Thanks RE. The first one stood at least 7 feet tall. Usually I'm only able to find one if I'm lucky. I can't believe this time around I saw five!!
Sep 30, 2013 04:17:23 #
Sunnykaren
Loc: Michigan
What an exciting opportunity! I especially like the composition of the bull one!
Sep 30, 2013 09:35:11 #
Sep 30, 2013 10:03:13 #
I think they look super! From your description I was expecting something blurry and flat :) I wonder if mom is telling that bull moose to back away!
Sep 30, 2013 13:08:20 #
Thanks Sunnykaren, colo43, and Linda! It was interesting to watch the interplay between the three moose. There was definitely no threatening or defensive postures taken my the cow. In fact, they would snuggle up to one another every once in a while. The cow was almost always at the side of her calf, but the bull was just kind of standing guard, so to speak. It was quite the functional moose family. There were times when I could see the bull and cow actively seeking responses from one another as they monitored their calf. I only wished I could have been closer, but I don't think that would have been a very wise move!
Sep 30, 2013 13:25:46 #
Sunnykaren
Loc: Michigan
Clynro wrote:
Thanks Sunnykaren, colo43, and Linda! It was inter... (show quote)
Just an "after the fact" thought....a longer lens would have come in handy! :lol:
Sep 30, 2013 13:29:21 #
I think you were wise to keep your distance. That is one, big bull! Well done!
Sep 30, 2013 14:53:38 #
Sep 30, 2013 14:54:36 #
Sep 30, 2013 19:28:43 #
Sep 30, 2013 19:33:40 #
Very nice....moose are solitary animals except in the fall when the Rut takes place...then you will see mama's and Bull moose together...the babys stay with the mama for at least two years so you will often see what looks like a family but that baby would not be the offspring of that bull...most likely he is hanging with mama and the Bull is interested in mating...you will often see Bull fighting at this time too. Up here moose are all over, like stray dogs...in your back yard and everywhere ...they are not safe to get close to however at any time of year and will stomp you to death. Nice shots though...I would just get a bigger lens as you shouldnt get too close...
Oct 1, 2013 01:44:46 #
laskalass wrote:
Very nice....moose are solitary animals except in ... (show quote)
Interesting! I never knew any of that about moose. That makes me wonder what the moose I got the close up on was thinking. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if it was a bull or not, but it appeared to have something left of it's antlers, so I was thinking bull. He was behind us with an even better view of the scene of the three moose above. I wonder if he (if it was a he) was also interested in the cow!
Oct 1, 2013 14:32:02 #
Froggy
Loc: Guernsey Channel Islands UK
Clynro wrote:
The moose are coming down with the first snowfall ... (show quote)
lovely to see, are they very timid or are they dangerous to keep clear from
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