Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 1:02 AM
On Saturday with Bill I saw my 10th, 11th, and 12th bull moose of the past week in the Snowy Range. A lady photographing with us said she saw 8 last Thursday. Considering that until recently I had yet to see a moose in the Snowies during 5 years and dozens of trips, this has been pretty sweet! With my measly 100-300mm lens I felt insecure next to Bill and his 300 f4 and who I'm assuming was Mike (hi Mike!) with his gigantic 300-800 zoom, but I managed to take a few moose pics nonetheless. I also headed up the Medicine Bow Peak trail above Lake Marie for sunrise but ran into a cloudless sky and unusually lackluster light.
I must apologize to Bill for completely ripping off his post-processing idea for the last posted image. I love the look and had to try it for myself - please forgive me!
Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 1:02 AM
#2 - three moose
Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 1:03 AM
#3 - two moose
Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 1:04 AM
#4 - one moose using Bill's post-processing technique
Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 1:09 AM
Oh, what the heck - while I'm going with the wildlife theme, I may as well throw in this shot of an antelope from a few weeks back. There, that pretty much covers every animal shot I've ever taken, not counting those of my dog.
Posted by Nick Moore on August 10, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Nice soft lighting in #1 Brett, but I really like the Moose captures you and Bill got, and especially Bill's effect in #4!. I may be up there this coming weekend, if you're around it'd be great to hook up.
Posted by Eric Vaughan on August 10, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Great images, especially #4 wow what an abstract. I have done a similar type image with an old growth forest back lit, didn't work to busy, but that moose is perfect. BTW the first one posted is also beautiful little scene.
Posted by Brett Deacon on August 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Thanks guys! Nick, sorry but I'm going out of town this weekend and won't be around to meet up. Have a great time if you do head up here.
Posted by Jody Grigg on August 10, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Great series Brett, one of these days I will make it that way .
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 10, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Yeah, but when Jody goes, he'll start at Lake Marie and hike straight up the vertical face of Medicine Bow Peak.
Great shots. I love the first one (very nice!) and the pronghorn image is excellent and original.
Posted by Scott Bacon on August 10, 2009 at 10:35 AM
#1 - lackluster? You gotta be kidding. That light is sublime and the image is beautiful.
Posted by bill meikle on August 10, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Brett, you found a great viewpoint in your first shot, I should have gone to the west car park to find you instead of wandering off! We'll need to get back up there and bring Nick along. Nice pronghorn too!
Posted by Jesse Speer on August 10, 2009 at 12:05 PM
The antelope image is pretty sweet. Or as my 4-year-old calls them, canteloupe. Gotta agree with Scott on that first one. LOVE the quality of light.
Love that first shot Brett!! I actually was up in the Snowies from Wed night through Sat morning. I was bad and slept in on Sat since we were leaving that morning! Looks like I missed out on running into you and BIll.
The moose are definetly active up there right now! I ran across 5 moose total, 3 hanging out the first night at the small lake just off the west end of Towner road. Then I saw 2 heading across 130 and into the forest. I got some OK shots, but I only had a 70-200 with my 1.4x tele on it.
It was my first trip up there, and I highly recommend going up for those of you that have not done so yet! I'll post a few of my shots later today hopefully.
Oh - and thanks Brett for your tips on where to camp and what trails to hit!
Posted by Brian Jackson on August 10, 2009 at 12:50 PM
#1 is really nice. Ok, I think I'm sold. I'm going to have to head up there this weekend.
1, 4 and 5 are really cool. The moose in willows are missing their legs and it's tough anyway with the light contrast. I love the BW backlit shot and your pronghorn is a striking image. Nicely done.
Posted by Kelly Black on August 10, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Lackluster light? Looks pretty good to me! These are great, Brett. Sounds awesome, with so many moose around. I was trying to find the 3rd moose in image # 2...I was like, "Where?" when I saw his antlers sticking up. That's cool. Love the post processed image, that is so cool! Very nice.
Discussion
20 repliesI must apologize to Bill for completely ripping off his post-processing idea for the last posted image. I love the look and had to try it for myself - please forgive me!
Great shots. I love the first one (very nice!) and the pronghorn image is excellent and original.
The moose are definetly active up there right now! I ran across 5 moose total, 3 hanging out the first night at the small lake just off the west end of Towner road. Then I saw 2 heading across 130 and into the forest. I got some OK shots, but I only had a 70-200 with my 1.4x tele on it.
It was my first trip up there, and I highly recommend going up for those of you that have not done so yet! I'll post a few of my shots later today hopefully.
Oh - and thanks Brett for your tips on where to camp and what trails to hit!
Brian