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