The Obscured World

Catalog #12007

Location:  California

Bald eagles at something close to eye level is hard to get (unless your going to bait, which I don't.  I often times think I must look silly moving across a field a couple of feet at a time, pausing, then moving again.  

There is something majestic about this shot and it is one of my favorites. 

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 600mm lens.

Catalog #12008

Location:  California

Unfortunately in images shot with a telescopic lens, it is hard to get a sense of how big something is.  Elephant seals such as this guy can reach 20 feet in length and 8000 lbs in weight!  Caught this on a nice overcast day and in this particular shot, he looks like he has a shifty look on his face.  

Shot with a Canon 7D and 600mm lens.  All color except red has been removed.

Catalog #12011

Location:  Alaska

I was lucky enough to come across a mother and two adolescent grizzlies crossing a river on a clear day (or at least clear for Alaska).  In this picture, the mother is looking back at the other two who are a little closer to the river.

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 800mm lens.

Catalog #12009

Location:  Alaska

Moose are a special animal.  They are large, beautiful creatures that move with a lumbering grace.  I have watched large moose sit virtually undetected surrounded by 30 people who were none the wiser.  And while I know they can be aggressive, I've never seen anything but a gentle spirit from these animals on the many occasions I have been near them.  This guys was one of those lumbering giants, quietly contemplating me from the forest. 

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 800mm lens.

Catalog #12010

Location:  California

There is something beautiful to me about turkeys.  And lucky for me, there are quite a few where I live.  This is a great shot I got of two turkeys making a heart shape with their bodies.  This picture reasonates with me and this is one of the shots that decorates my home.  I think most people enjoy picturesof Bald Eagles or Bears because they epitomize strength in our culture, but honestly I identify more with these birds.  But I'm a strange turkey (pun intended).

Shot with a Canon 5D at 400mm.

Catalog #12012

Location:  Alaska

There is really nothing quite like having a grizzly staring in your direction.  As we walk around we cloak ourselves in many lies, everything from how good we look, how smart we are, to how tough we are.  Moments like these strip all that away in an instant and you stand in naked reality.  Any moment this grizzly can run across the field at 30 mph and eat me before I'll even recognize I'm in danger.  Thankfully bears are not that interested in us and I'm in more danger from being hit by random space debris.  But never the less, that cold reality is like diving into a frozen lake, you remember it.

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 800mm lens.

Catalog #12013

Location:  Alaska

Shot from high above me right before a cliff face, these mountain goats are enjoying their respite far from the dangers that lurk below them.  

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 800mm lens.  This image has had yellow and orange removed to better highlight the animals.

Catalog #12014

Location:  Alaska

Caribou are just beautiful to watch.  Maybe its because of all the Christmas stories of Santa's reindeer that make me stare on the few occasions I've been lucky enough to come across one.  Or maybe its just the way they bring landscape to life.  Either way this guy brings a little light to my day every time I see this picture.

Shot with a Canon 7D and a 800mm lens.

Catalog #12015

Location:  Wyoming

A lonely mountain goat crossing the low grasslands.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 400mm.

Catalog #12016

Location:  Wyoming

Mountain goats are amazing to watch, especially when hanging on a cliff.  They jump from rock to rock with perfect grace as they chase each other around the cliff face.  If you ever have the chance, it is worth you time to just sit and watch these magnificent animals move in a way that few other animals can match.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 400mm.

Catalog #12017

Location:  Wyoming

If your ever in Wyoming in winter, I highly recommend going out to the Elk reserve.  Most of the elk gather here in the winter to keep out of the colder areas of the park and gain access to food not completely covered in snow.

Wolves an coyotes also come down to the reserve and look for the wounded, the young, or the elderly in an attempt to get a meal.   

Shot with a Canon 7D at 260mm.

Catalog #12018

Location:  Wyoming

Near the National Elk Reserve is the ranger station for the reserve.  I happened to be looking over at the sculpture there when this later guy started wandering through and I thought the composition just spoke for itself.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 100mm.

Catalog #12019

Location:  Wyoming

A lone antelope decorating the Wyoming landscape.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 400mm.

Catalog #12020

Location:  Wyoming

I ran into this guy along a back country trail that went into my camp area.  Everyday, all day, this guy would wander back and forth along the trail.  

This picture is from a particular close encounter where I stumbled upon his path a little closer than I meant to.  He was very hospitable and passed me without incident. 

Shot with a Canon 7D at 220mm. 

Catalog #12021

Location:  Wyoming

This beautiful bird was captured in just the right light to makes his eyes have the quality of shiny marble.  When I saw the picture, I immediately thought of older movies where people with supernatural powers had their eyes change to a solid color.  

Shot with a Canon 7D 400mm. The image has had the blue removed from the sky.

Catalog #12023

Location:  Wyoming

This little guy was just in perfect light at the perfect time, just enjoying a snack.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 470mm.

Catalog #12024

Location:  Wyoming

Caught this guy not far off the road, slumbering.  

Shot with a Canon 7D at 24mm.

Catalog #12025

Location:  Wyoming

Scattered all over Wyoming and Montana, Hoary Marmots are fun little critters to watch.  You have to be careful, as they love to steal your food if you take your eyes off them.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 400mm.

Catalog #12027

Location:  Wyoming

Sneaky little guy I caught walking through a stream.  Payed no attention to me, but instead just was walking along enjoying the cool stream and eating the local plants.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 400mm.

Catalog #12028

Location:  Wyoming

A group of buffalo enjoy a little shade out in the field.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 105mm.

Catalog #12029

Location:  Wyoming

I hear that when doing studio photography, nothing beats having a great model.  The same thing can be said when photographing animals.  Most of the time, your getting "butt" shots as the animal turns to move in another direction away from you.  But sometimes your lucky, like with this guy, and they want to hang out and have their picture taken.

Shot with a Canon 7D at 100mm.