Buildings With History

Although photographing wildlife will always be my first love, I also enjoy looking at and photographing "old" buildings.  In doing so, it wakes you wonder about the individuals that once inhabited the building, their dreams, and hopes.  It also makes you to take a little time to contemplate why they had left their home, abandoned, and slowly disappearing into the soils on which it stands.  What was their story in life? 

Although the sign still hangs over the door, the hotel has been vacant for many years.  Must be so many stories involved with this hotel, why did the owners leave it without even taking down the sign?  

 "Wilson Hotel ~ Southern, Nebraska

This was a prairie farmers dream, a nice home and large barn yet abandoned to disappear into the prairie soil.

"House and Barn ~ Filey, Nebraska ~ Highway 4"

One has to wonder, was it a trading post or perhaps a saloon?  The name of the community intrigue me.  The norther American Indians would move to lower elevations during the winter months.  They measured the distance of their trips by the number of nights or "sleeps" that it took.  This site was their 10th night of sleep on their southerly journey. 

 "Old Store ~ Ten Sleep, Wyoming

A ranchers pride and joy, typical of the era, the barn was much larger and nicer than the home in which they lived.  what intrigued me about this barn was the rock foundation and the cross mounted where the rock and wood joins.  Did someone die while building this barn or was it their way of blessing the building?

 Barn ~ South of Custer, South Dakota ~ Highway 285

Beautiful little barn and ranch, again the barn is the most important and majestic building while the house was just large enough to survive.

 "Ranch In the Valley ~ Osoyoos, British, Columbia"

Once a beautiful home in the Cottonwood Grove on the prairie. Why did the family leave this nice home?

 "Kansas ~ Highway 99"

A little cabin in the Aspen Grove, I walked through this property, I can only imagine that it was possibly a prospectors cabin, a beautiful stream was just a couple of hundred yards from the cabin.  Perhaps, a ranchers line shack.  Inside, was a natural rock fireplace the only source for heat and cooking. 

 "Highway 14 ~ Northern, Colorado"

This house was unique in that the Kansas and Nebraska Border went through the middle of the house.  Was this a mistake or were the state borders established after the house was built.  

 "Two State House ~ Straddles Kansas and Nebraska Border"

This is the first house that you see when entering the State of Alaska.  Why did the family build here, just a small house but trimmed out.  Was it their dream to establish this location as a business?

"First House In Alaska ~ Yukon and Alaska Border"

Winter Moose

WINTER MOOSE

With the recent increase of snow, it has been enough to start pushing the Moose down to lower elevations and their winter feeding area.  Having completed the rut and with the onslaught of winter, the Bull Moose are just now starting to shed their antlers.  Today, I had the opportunity to do a little Moose Hunting.  Staying within a distance of 12 miles of my home and in less than two hours, I had the opportunity to view seventeen Moose.  Predominantly Cows and Calves, with the exception of two small Bull Moose.  One Bull had already shed it's antlers while the second one still had his antlers in tact. 

"Young Bulls In The River Bottom"

The Bull Moose in the lead has shed his antlers, it is not unusual to see young Bull Moose hanging out together. Taking solace with one another after being chased away from the Cows during the rut by the larger Bulls.  In a couple of years, these Bulls will be large enough to be contenders as breeders, as long as they can keep their Cows away from the larger Bulls.

"Buddies For Now"



"Cow In The Willow Patch"

Cow Moose and New Calves II

Last year at this time, I spent a great deal of time each day photographing three baby Bald Eagles 

from the time they were eggs until they flew the nest.  This year, the assignment is much easier since our resident Cow Moose has decided to use our front yard as a refuge and nursery.  Although, we both know our boundaries, she is quite content in me sitting and photographing her and the youngsters.  Our first greeting, she was breathing heavy but she has become more relaxed and confident that I pose no threat.  She will continue her grazing and let the youngsters run at will.  Like all siblings, tonight they wanted to play and do a little rough housing.  It was so comical to see the antics that they played with one another before they went head to head in a sparring match. 

The Cow steps over the lawn fence, however, the Calves need to take a running start to jump the fence.  The first one over will normally stop and encourage the other to try it!  

 "Opposite Sides Of The Fence"

"Peek A Boo"

 

During the evening, there was numerous sparring matches between the calves, "mom" would stop browsing occasionally to insure things did not get out of control.

"Sparring Match"

"2nd Round"

"3rd Round"



Another Phase Of  "Natural Curosity"

Another Phase Of "Natural Curosity"

"Evening Prayers Prior To Bedding Down"

Cow Moose and New Born Calves

We have a large meadow on our property that is away from the road system and other houses.  Each spring, several Cow Moose will move into the meadow to raise their young.  On occasion, they will venture out of the meadow and onto our lawn, allowing us the opportunity to see and enjoy the antics of their new "babies".  The family visiting us at present is a Cow and her twin calves.  For the past two evenings, she has moved onto the lawn late in the evening to bed down.  The calves are still nursing, however, they are also now eating their "greens", primarily the leaves of the Alder Bushes.  Photographs were taking under natural light conditions at 11:35 pm on June 20th.

"Sleeping Time"

 "Wake Up Call"

"Midnight Snack"

"Tummy's Full ~ Time To Bed Down"



Anchor River Eagles

The King Salmon have returned to the Anchor River in Anchor Point, Alaska.  Prior to the run commencing, the American Bald Eagle will also return to the river to feed and rear their young.  The cycle goes unbroken.  These photographs were taken in the marsh lands of Anchor River and the beach area of Cook Inlet on May 24, 2011 right after sunrise.

  "Camera Shy"

"In Deep Thought"

"Perfect Landing"

"Facing The Rising Sun"



Spring Swans

 The Swans have returned to Alaska.  Usually one of the first of the migratory wwaterfowl to return to the north country and the last to leave in the fall.  This nesting pair was photographed at Beluga Lake in Homer, Alaska.  They will be interesting to watch during the spring and summer season, it appears that they will remain on the lake.  While watching them, I had the opportunity to watch them go through the mating ritual as well as move into the grassland, I am assuming to build a nest. 

The next sequence of shots was taken of the "Cob" (Male)  following the mating process with his mate. The female Swan is called a "Pen". 



The "Grand Slam" 2010

I consider myself very fortunate to have photographed each of the four species of Wild Sheep that inhabit North America during the Calendar Year of 2010.  The largest population of wild sheep that I had the opportunity to view was the Rocky Mountain Big Horn.  I spent many hours in British Columbia, Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado observing these beautiful animals. 

The most elusive specie that I had the most difficulty in photographing were the Desert Big Horns, I had the opportunity to see a number of these species in Arizona and Nevada.  Although, I was not able to get in close to get the photographs I wanted, I did have the opportunity to witness seven Rams grouped up just prior to the rut.  I will return to photograph each of these species, but in particular the Desert Ram, now that I know their habits and the terrain that they prefer.

Dall Sheep ~ Turnagain Arm, Alaska

 Stone Sheep (Ram) ~ Toad River, Yukon Territory

Rocky Mountain Big Horn ~ Black Hills, South Dakota

Desert Big Horn ~ Dyer, Nevada

Spring time In Alaska

 Spring is slowly evolving in Alaska. In the next forty-five days, the cycle of life once again transpires as new life explores the world in which they live. It is amazing to watch their growth rate, how rapidly they learn to survive in a harsh environment, yet still have a natural curiosity about their surroundings and what they will encounter. Within a couple of years, they two will give birth to new life, thus the cycle goes unbroken.

"Sniffing The Rhubarb"

"Snacking On Lupine Blossoms"

"Curiosity"

"Tastes Good"



Head Shots

 Being an avid rifle hunter for many years, I thoroughly enjoyed the stalking of the game in order to get within close range.  When my interest in photography commenced I applied the same technique in getting in close to get detailed shots of the animal that I was stalking.  Not having the range of a high powered rifle with my camera, I learned the most important aspect of stalking game animals. Patience, by taking your time and be willing to hold in one spot for a long period of time. Patience will not only provide you some good shots, it also gives you an opportunity to learn more about the animal and catch some very unique poses that it will present to you.  

In the photography of wildlife, likely the most important thing that I learned from experienced personnel with Halo Bay Bear Viewing, was the approach and your silhouette.  Putting what I learned while photographing Brown Bear, I used the same technique on all of the other species with great success.  When standing, your silhouette is not only easily seen but it is also intimidating to the animal.  Combine this with spending several minutes rigging a tripod, by the time you are ready to shoot, the subject is nervous and will move away from you.  At a minimum, remain kneeled at all times; it is even better to sit down until your shooting is complete.  If you are photographing with others, approach the wildlife, single file, one person directly behind the other.  This is also less intimidating to the wildlife. 

This series of photographs are all head shots, primarily I was wanting to capture the eyes and facial expressions of the animal.

 Calf Moose ~ Anchor Point, Alaska

American Bald Eagle ~ Homer, Alaska

Moose Calf ~ Anchor Point, Alaska

Brown Bear ~ Hallo Bay, Alaska Peninsula

American Bald Eagle ~ Anchor Point, Alaska

Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep ~ Black Hills, South Dakota

Rocky Mountain Big Horn ~ Black Hills, South Dakota

Rocky Mountain Big Horn ~ Black Hills, South Dakota

Rocky Mountain Big Horn ~ Black Hills, South Dakota

Bison ~ Yukon Territory, Canada

Dall Ram ~ Turnagain Arm, Alaska

Winter Moose Feeding ~ Anchor Point, Alaska

Pronghorn Antelope ~ Wyoming

Rocky Mountain Big Horn Ewe and Lamb ~ Montana

Rocky Mountain Big Horn Ewe ~ Montana