Bull Moose

Gallery: WildlifePosted May 23, 2010225 views9 comments

This was shot in Chugach State Park near Anchorage, Alaska. I'm not real happy with the front leg position and the laid back ears, never a good sign around moose, but you get what they give ya! This guy was actually looking at another smaller bull behind me.

Hope you enjoy it.

Canon 20D Canon 70-200 2.8 @ 78mm 1/125th @ f4.5 iso 200 HH

Comments always welcome
Neil

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on May 23, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Neil, do you mean you were between the two bulls? Good thing the rut was not in full swing! I like the raised leg position, although IMHO if it had been the other front leg it might be better.
Very nice image. Thanks for posting.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on May 23, 2010 at 10:36 AM

Humm, ears down and hair on the back up ... and you're standing between two bulls. I'm glad he didn't decide to go through you to get to the other bull. The leg is not problemmatic for me but I can see where it might have been placed in a more appealling position. Great eye contact and an unmistakeable threat posture.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Sandipan Dutta on May 23, 2010 at 11:42 AM

Like the perspective of relatively shorter focal length...the habitat is amazingly colorful too ...overall a very impressive image.

Registered on March 9, 2009, 171 Posts, 493 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on May 23, 2010 at 1:19 PM

Yes, John, I did end up between the two briefly as this one walked through. There was also a large pine tree trunk at my back. I had been trying to position my self around the tree to photograph the larger bull, slow and easy. I made sure he knew I was there the whole time and he did not get up off his bed until later. I heard this bull break a twig behind me as he came through some trees. The other bull was a bit larger and had lost all of his velvet. He grunted once and this bull turned and departed unalarmed as soon as he realized the situation was not in his favor. Some hikers in the area spooked the larger bull and I never did get any shots of him. I didn't feel threatened at any time.
Thanks for looking!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on May 23, 2010 at 7:32 PM

Really nice moose shot Neil - the front legs "merging" doesn't bother me much, and the color is great!

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on May 23, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Good shot, Neil! Glad that he didn't go for you! Don't mind the leg position, but do love the eye contact and the folage! Thanks!

Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 23, 2010 at 11:05 PM

You did a good job with getting this image with the unfolding action you described. His wary eye matches his posture! I really enjoy the dense color of the Alaska habitat. What would have made this over the top would have been a lower camera perspective, emphasizing his mood and his bulk. It looks like your exposure choice was pretty good. Being super nit-picky, you might tone down the blueish sheen on the back of his abdomen & hind quarter. Thanks for sharing!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on May 24, 2010 at 1:37 AM

70-200 at 78? You were dangerously close, Neil. Glad you got out unscathed, otherwise this story would have been all bull!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 24, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Sweet One! Excellent work Neil!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments