Bull Moose!

An amazing encounter

I was hoping to shoot a bull moose since I didn't see one in June. Much to my surprise, Jay and I came across two!
Each took a turn for a dip in the pond.The bull moose on the left is slightly bigger. The moose on the right approached him, lowered his rack as if to attack, thought about it again, and chose to move on. The larger moose just held his ground. The rutting season begins in the fall. During the rut, bull moose fight with each other for dominance and the right to mate with the females in the area.

Grizzly Bears

One of the most common wildlife sightings in the park are bears. They are putting on the pounds for the coming winter. I think they need to eat 22,000 calories of food per day to prepare for winter hibernation. Biologists determined this by weighing their poop. People call it scat. I guess it is a nicer word...

This bear was busy eating berries. The berry crop was late this season due to unusual cold and rain in June and July.

As I was shooting this one, much to my amazement, he walked right toward me!He stopped at the other side of the road. I was able to get this close up.And then this one.These two were digging up roots at the Kantishna river.
This one was eating berries way out near Wonder Lake. He posed quite nicely for me.

Then he decided to take a walk right in the middle of the road. I could not get too close because you are not supposed to alter their behavior in any way. I followed him slowly for about 45 minutes before he finally headed back into the tundra.
Bears stand up in order to see better. This one was at Sable Pass.

Back in Michigan!

Took the red-eye home last night. Sitting here at Detroit Metro. I didn't have much time to blog as I was in the back country most of the time. Can't wait to share the latest photos and write some stories.

Had a great time back in Denali. Jay wants me to come back in the winter. That would be glorious! It's his (and many other ranger's) favorite time of year.

Photos!

There is so much to write about but I don't have time right now. I want to get out to shoot more. Here are some photos from yesterday.A detail of the Alaska Mountain Range.
A ranger speaks with the assistant secretary of the interior and his son and son-in-law in from of Denali at Eielson Visitor Center just after the grand opening
I have had two encounters with wolf puppies. Two months ago I believe I photographed this pup's mommy. See post below.
Wildlife sighting!
A sleeping grizzly bear takes a moment to stretch.
Superintendent of Denali National Park Paul Anderson addresses the crowd during the grand opening of Eielson Visotor Center. A perfect day!
Lots of babies around. This is a Ptarmigan.
A fox yawns as it strolls along the roadside.
Moose love the weeds that grow in the kettle ponds.
Another baby. This was one of two grizzly bear cubs that sauntered past our bus.
Denali!
The assistant to the secretary of the interior addresses the gathering during the Eielson grand opening.
You have to see this for yourself. It's indescribable.
A rare day because Denali is rarely visible due to weather.
Another wolf puppy crosses the road behind a visitor bus.
Headed out last night after we got back. I was looking for a bull moose that evaded me when I turned to look down the road and here is what I saw.

Tomorrow

I was flown out here to cover the grand opening of Eielson Visitor Center. This is happening tomorrow. I leave at 8:15 a.m. I'll be on a bus with dignitaries. Hope to see and shoot wildlife on the way. Please stay tuned.

Jr. Ranger dog sled encounter

A child enjoys a parka made for winter dog sledding during a jr. ranger program at the dog kennel. At left, educational coordinator for the Murie Science and Learning Center, Christie Anastasia, presents the program.Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, gives his appreciation to children that pulled him in a dog sled.

Alaskan Husky Puppies and VIPs

Deputy Director of the National Park Service, Dan Wenk, left and his wife Barbara, enjoy an Alaskan Husky puppy after a dog sled demonstration.Lyle Laverty, Asistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, (he answers to the secretary of the interior) hugs an Alaskan Husky puppy.

Close Encounter

Thank God I had a window seat! As we were approaching the runway in Fairbanks, amazing individual clouds were producing their own rain. The sun was shining behind them. Below each cloud was a site to behold. Remember the light coming down from the alien ship from "Close Encounters"? That's exactly what I saw. I imagined searching souls on the ground looking up to the promise of an alien encounter. Stupendous!

My Cabin

I'm back! Here's my cabin. More to come as soon as I get time. I'm about to photograph a reception involving big wigs from Washington D.C.H

Ready to go

All packed. Heading to bed. My flight leaves at 10 a.m. out of MBS. I arrive in Fairbanks at 7:30 p.m. Alaska time. That's 11:30 Michigan time. 4 legs, 13 1/2 hours. It's worth every minute.

Heading Back to Alaska!

Denali National Park and Preserve is flying me back to the park on August 10 for a week! I'll be photographing the opening of Eielson Visitor Center. There will be lots of dignitaries there. The center is at the 66 mile point in the park. It has a great view of Mt. McKinley. Can't wait.Just for fun, I shot this cicada morphing in my back yard last week with the help of Jenny and Bob Czuprynski. (Click photo to enlarge)