Weekend Squeeze
Wildlife photography requires proper gear, a promising location, and perhaps most importantly, plenty of time. Lately I’ve fallen short on the latter prompting an Olympic effort of time management behind the lens. Last weekend the stopwatch started at noon on Friday as I sprinted up to the Great North Woods for some marathon photo-ops. Clearly not a professional approach to photography, but an exciting way to fill my memory cards. Soon I was paddling in a sea of pickerel weed among the local herons and raptors.
Everything was falling right into place, including the resident catfish being snatched up by osprey and heron. The only break on the water’s glassy surface was the wake of my kayak as I explored the inlets of the Androscoggin river. A few short hours (and nautical miles) passed, and I was back in the truck swamp-bound for some evening moose viewing.
The cow moose were out in numbers, but my sights were set on summer velvet. With no bulls in sight I opted for a change of scenery (and altitude). I decided to spend the final hour of daylight hiking through a hillside clear-cut shrouded in heavily browsed saplings. I chose a spot along the wood line and enjoyed the sunset view. As I began to settle in and scan the landscape, my attention was interrupted by some activity behind me. The crackle of hoof-trodden twigs on the forest floor almost made me fail to notice a moose strolling across the hillside. It was, yet another cow but still a lovely sight and a nice way to cap off the night.
The following morning I found myself awake a full hour before my 5AM alarm clock, and on my way back to the water. Sadly, my enthusiasm was dampened as I came up on a troubling scene. A cow moose was lying on the roadside unable to get up. Against my better judgment, I got out of the truck for a closer inspection that revealed the bruises on her legs. Clearly she’d been struck by a vehicle and needed attention. At 4:15AM with no cell service, my only option was to drive to a gas station in Errol, NH. The store clerk connected me with local dispatch and I reported the incident. There was little surprise coming from the other end of the line as I described the scene. There are hundreds of moose collisions each year in New Hampshire making alert driving imperative.
I took this opportunity to grab a cup of coffee, and made my way back to the marsh. I was on the water by 5AM joined by some other early-risers. Among them were a pair of eagles who made several attempts at a freshwater breakfast, but failed to make a catch for the camera.
As midday approached my morning moose encounter began to feel like a distant memory. The summer days are long when you start this early, and I still had eight hours of light to work with. I decided to sacrifice an hour of it to change up the scenery. My brother was joining me for the rest of the weekend, so we rendezvoused back at the motel and headed further north to Pittsburg, NH.
This was perfect timing for a break as we got slammed by heavy rain on the drive up. It was still coming down when we reached East Inlet, but the conditions were working to our advantage. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday and we had the place to ourselves. Donning rain coats, we launched our kayaks and didn’t have to paddle far before the skies cleared up.
The pond was alive with belted kingfishers, loons, and eagles. We paddled to the far side of the inlet and ventured out the meandering creek that spills into the waterway. The creek zig-zags through thick brush rife with gnawed off branches and beaver paths. Not knowing what we’ll find around each bend keeps the suspense alive and the camera on standby. With silent strokes we approached a beaver lodge and could hear some activity stirring within. We sat in silence with eyes fixed on the crafty web of chiseled logs and brush. Relaxing into the calm and quiet scene before us, we were oblivious to the visitor approaching from behind. Just like that, the silence broke in a thunderous THWAP! A beaver delivered an impressive tail-slap on the still water right behind my brother’s kayak. In a heartbeat the mood shifted from peaceful, to startling, to comical.
With the evening closing in on us we decided to pack it in and took a scenic route back to the motel. As we navigated the roller coaster road that cuts through Dixville Notch I nearly witnessed my second moose collision of the day. A cow came hurdling out of the woods and crossed between us and a tire-screeching SUV heading in our direction. Thankfully the oncoming driver’s quick reflexes saved both her and the moose which slipped by without a second to spare. We were still stopped when a young calf sprung out of the woods, safely joining mom down the bank on the other side.
The next morning we were up at 5AM and back to the woods for our last chance at a bull sighting. Now the clock was really ticking. I had already encountered a half dozen moose that weekend, but not a single set of antlers. In desperation, we left the kayaks behind and took my brother’s Jeep out on a morning moose tour. Roadside photography is not the best way to experience wildlife, but can certainly be an efficient way to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. The tactic proved effective.
We’d stumble upon a couple more cows before finally finding what we were after. Just when we started to lose hope, a nice velvet rack came strolling out of the brush. Although I was hoping to see a broader range of bulls that weekend, I’m grateful for the one we spotted. I guess this means I’ve got a good excuse to get back to the woods soon!
Lovely heron images, Chris.
July 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Thanks Mike.
July 31, 2012 at 8:07 pm
How sad about the moose cow that the person that hit her … hadn’t contacted police or authorities. Poor animal I hope she got helped or was put out of her misery by professionals… Love your last photo most of them all … stunning animal. Wonderful post and beautiful photos.
July 31, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Viveka. I was saddened by the scene as well. Reminds me to stay alert in moose country.
July 31, 2012 at 8:09 pm
We have the same problem over here … with moose and deer – but by law do we have to phone the police when it happens and they shoot the animals and most of the time is the car too damage to continue driving.
July 31, 2012 at 11:53 pm
the images are beautiful. I am clinging to sadness about the unfortunate moose. The Loon is exquisite. The pattern on the back would make Mondrain and op artist drool. Nature is so clever. I thoroughly enjoy the beautiful shots you take. The depth and sensitivity of them touch my soul.
July 31, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Very nice to hear KB. Thank you!
August 1, 2012 at 7:39 am
The images are lovely. The moose is magnificent with his face looking right at us. The mandarin’s feathers are so clearly defined. I enjoyed this trip to the woods! Thank you.
July 31, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Great George, thanks very much.
August 1, 2012 at 7:40 am
Beautiful images. I’m sorry about the moose collision. We don’t have moose here but have plenty of deer and I regularly see dead deer by the side of the road. Its especially hard this time of year with the mommas have their little ones with them.
July 31, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Thanks Maralee, and I know what you mean – I have a difficult time seeing these animals hit. Wish there was more I could have done.
August 1, 2012 at 7:43 am
Great post and equally great photos, Chris. I, too, hope the injured got some medical attention.
July 31, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Thanks Bob, I appreciate it.
August 1, 2012 at 7:44 am
Great blog, Chris. Your writing gets better and better….and the pictures, of course, are superlative.
July 31, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Very happy to read your assessment Robert! Thanks.
August 1, 2012 at 7:44 am
Chris, You are a gifted writer and photographer. I was excited, inspired and saddened. Thank you.
July 31, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Thanks Bernie, I appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed the post.
August 1, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Lovely images Chris
July 31, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Thank you Jim.
August 1, 2012 at 7:44 am
Wow I love your pics! The Loon and the Moose looking at you are my favorites! You should sell your pics! I would be interested in some to hang on my wall I would want you to autograph them. Lisa
July 31, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Thanks Lisa, I appreciate that. If you’d like a signed print send me an email (note that the prints at SmugMug are not signed).
July 31, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Omg I just saw that you do sell them! Yay!!!
July 31, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Great photos! I just love those herons. I was able to capture a few shots recently during a trip to a local bird refuge. They are beautiful birds, but so difficult to photograph.
July 31, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Thanks Fergie, they are tricky but sometimes you encounter one that’s cooperative. Also, I couldn’t do it without the kayak (or a really big lens!).
August 1, 2012 at 7:46 am
The loon is especially beautiful!
August 1, 2012 at 1:01 am
Great, thanks Angeline!
August 1, 2012 at 7:47 am
Wonderful photographs and words to go with them. A reminder of how much time and effort needs to be put into creating them.
August 1, 2012 at 7:48 am
Yes, thanks….a lot of time, and many many photos that do not get shared. Thanks very much RRD.
August 1, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Thank you for sharing your wonderful photography! You capture the awesomeness of God’s creations beautifully!! Heard some bull moose and also some loons, among other things – particularly chattering chipmunks and red squirrels – while camping near Lake Elmore this past week. Heard (and then saw) my first catbird up there a few years back. Keep up the good work/fun/sharing!
August 1, 2012 at 8:35 am
Very cool…beautiful lake. Sounds like you know your birds. Thanks for the nice comments Renee.
August 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm
I love your photos, but what strikes me most here is that you made the effort to try to do something for that moose. Thanks, and thanks.
August 1, 2012 at 8:39 am
Thanks Sid.
August 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm
What a marvelous photo of a moose! Up close and personal!!!
August 2, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Bringing the visual reality of what suffering we cause these animals in our haste and blindness…. with a personal connection…. is an important work you are performing. I realized after I wrote the above that it may be misinterpreted.
August 2, 2012 at 8:55 pm
You certainly maximized your time! Good photos and story.
August 5, 2012 at 3:02 am
Having to spend time in that just “so beautiful” place must have been rough. I really don’t feel sorry for you.
August 6, 2012 at 9:40 am
Great photos…
August 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Thank you Vibeke!
August 20, 2012 at 10:37 am
Thank you for visiting my humble website, your photos are top notch! Subscribed!
November 11, 2012 at 3:55 pm