Yesterday afternoon I decided to go to Camas National Wildlife Refuge to try to locate some migrating avocets, but got side tracked by two bull moose. I saw one about a quarter of a mile away and decided to stalk it and see if I could get some good pictures. Before the day would be over there would be a lot of bull out there.
The one bull moose soon turned into two bulls and I watched them heading in a general southwest direction. I located a small knoll with a few sage brush on it and made my way there. At time the bullrush was so tall only their antlers would be showing. When this happened I would work to another sagebrush to try to intercept them.
Their eyesight is not very good - probably a good thing when you realize how cute the females are - but their smelling and hearing are excellent. I tried to move as silently as I could when I needed to move. But here the two act like they smell something funny.
But they continuely move closer to me. The larger one is suspious and moves away while the smaller one continues working his way toward me.
I start to get very nervous when he gets about 30 feet from me and I can hear the crunching of the veggies as he eats. Finally he hears the camera and smells me; comes to attention and decides to leave.
He flashes me as he heads back to the other bull, who has decided to tak a nap.
When he gets to the larger bull he starts eating. Then I realize there is a bull elk in the background watching this whole bachelor party, but not willing to join in. You can see him if you enlarge the picture by clicking on it.
It was quite a bachelor party with a lot of bull there. With two bull moose, a bull elk, a bull human and lots of bullrushes, I even saw a little bs come from the smaller bull moose as he got too close to me. Just another wild day in Idaho.
16 comments:
You must be crazy stalking moose, but sure got some nice photos.
Glad to see you back around.
:) Wonderful shots. I'm glad none of them got angry with the human bull out there with the camera and decided to take him out!
Uh, 30 feet?!? YIKES!
Having said that, what great spotting! I love avocets too but I also would trade them for a bull moose. Or two. Or three. Or more!
Just reading your account of this made me nervous. These guys must not have felt threatened by you. Still, Bill, risky business that!
I forgot to add, FANTASTIC photos!
Brilliant set of images Bill and to get one within 30ft, dont know about Bs but it would frighten the C... out of me.
These sure are some handsome big boys! I would hope to see some soon. Well, I guess I got the Avocet...can you believe in KY too...I felt so honored to be able to be at that little nearly dried up pond at the time of the single Avocet's visit...marvelous. Have great week~
That sounds a little scary, being close enough to hear him eat! But what wonderful pictures.
Hi Bill Thanks for the comment,and in answer to your question it's a Canon 400mm f5.6L series lens.
Have a good week.
So who was really stalking who!
Nice series Bill.
Bill I don't know who is crazier me or you. hahahaha
You sure are a brave soul getting that close to such big wild animals.
Thank you though for such great shots. These photo's are awesome.
As always coming over to your site is always the best time.
So wish I lived where you do but then there are the winters. hahaha
Always
Maggie
Great Shots
Definitely lots of bull there. Something all good history teachers have learned how to come up with on short notice. Yes indeed. I shoul know. :)
Very nice - you did good.
Ha, funny bull story, and great photos!
Glad to see the wolves haven't eaten them all ;-) That's the refrain I hear here, though there seem to be lots of Shiras around.
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