Thursday, September 24, 2009

Denali - Moose


Sorry for the belated post. My last two weeks in Denali were especially busy. As promised, this post's theme will be fall Moose. I observed Moose behavior for my last few weeks concentrating in the traditional Moose rutting area, in Denali National Park, whenever I was not working.


Just prior to the bull Moose loosing their velvet, I was fortunate to find some accessible guys on some hikes. Both of these majestic animals were very close to loosing their velvet.


The Moose begin to loose the velvet around the last week of August. As you can see from the above images, when the velvet begins to fall off the antlers there is some visible blood remaining on them.

During this same time period, I also located this cow and calf during an intimate moment.


When the fall colors arrived in the tundra, during the first week of September, I went out every chance hoping to capture some Moose with colorful backgrounds like second image above.

After the colors were gone and the rut started, I was hoping to locate some battling bulls. I never did find some of the more dominant bulls, but did find these younger guys sparing.


I did find several bulls close to the park road on my photo trips.


During my last week of work, the snow arrived and I was able to photograph the above bull and calf with a snowy backgrounds.


Yep, sorry again for more Mt. McKinley photos. The above images were taken on my very last morning prior to leaving for the season. It was an emotional moment when I came around the park road bend and observed the mountain with it's isolated color. The alpenglow color was just on Denali due to it's height in comparison to the surrounding mountain range. I have never seen the mountain this magenta/pink hue. It was almost like it was saying goodbye.

After leaving the park for the season, I did a two day trip to Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. My goal was to photograph Polar Bears in the wild. Things went incredibly well. So, my next post will be Polar Bears images. I am currently on the road with the Camera Gear Lackey who joined me for travels from Alaska to the Canadian Rockies. We are currently in Jasper/Banff National Park. It has been snowing for the last two days. Blue Skies.

23 comments:

Twisted Fencepost said...

Beautiful pictues, Ken!
You definitely had a summer full of photo opportunities.
I think Mt. McKinley was saying good-bye!

Roberta said...

Great images. Wow - I want to go to those parts of Alaska so bad. You are just a hop away from my home (Rocky Mountain House) right now! I hope the parks deliver what you're looking for.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I sure am going to miss your posts from there Ken but I know you will find other magnificent ones to share with us. Thos last pictures of the mountain are spectacular again.

I look forward to seeing the post on the bears.

How come this post shows that you did it a week ago but it only showed up now? I have been wondering when you were going to post again.

I hope you and the Camera Lackey are having a fantastic trip. I am sure you will be pleased to get home again too.

Pet portraits said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Coy Hill said...

Ken, you are truly living the dream!

The moose shots are incredible as well as the tremendously beautiful colors of the autumn tundra. Your time spent in Denali has been rewarding and I have appreciated each and every incredible image.

Willard said...

Super photos. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to view the wildlife of Denali as you have captured it through your lens.

Ken Conger Photography said...

Thanks all for taking the time to comment. Your words are appreciated!

Joan - I started this post on 9/24 but did not have time to complete it until 10/2.

Blue Skies.

Fish Whisperer said...

Ken your images od Denali make me feel as though I am there with you. Beautiful.
Cheers

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Ken. That makes sense. :)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Ken: You certainly did a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the park with these great animals.

Unknown said...

Awesome images of these bull Mooses Ken. WOW.

Juan C. Aguero said...

Hello partner, good photos!

Brad Myers said...

Ken, thanks for sharing the fantastic images including Mt. Mckinley, one can never get enough. The moose are just fantastic animals and the different captures from color to snow is fantastic.

I am jealous of the trip you had this summer, it is the things most only dream of.

I did not make it out west this year but got to shoot the Pa. Elk rut with Willard and that was sooo much fun.

Have a safe trip home and keep shooting, Brad.

Andor Marton said...

Ken, this is a fantastic and also interesting series. The Moose without velvet looks very strange - that was something new for me.
I hardly wait the polar bear post.
What are you doing now? Back to waterfoel management?

Elaine said...

Incredible shots! Enjoy your trip home. We have just traveled down the Alcan and are in Montana now. I have been having a great time photographing wildlife and scenery.

Lew said...

Some fantastic images of your trip! The "Gates of the Artic" shot is just gorgeous!

Montanagirl said...

Hi Ken. My friend Elaine (Arctic View) and her husband were just here for 4 days visiting us. They live in Alaska, as did I for 15 years. Your photography is absolutely beyond words - stunning - and so beautiful. She was looking at some of your posts - so I decided to become a follower as well.

Misty DawnS said...

Outstanding post! How spectacular to get the opportunity to photograph them while losing their velvet!!!

Jose's World said...

It looks like this a smoker.

Elk Scenic Drive said...

Wonderful blog! Amazing photos. The moose, the moose calf, the rainbow....perfect photos!!

Tim Rucci said...

What a wonderful last post to wrap up your season in Denali! The color of the foliage is amazing in your images and it brought back great memories of the trip Cindy and I made there in Sept 2001. Your Mt McKinley photo is spectacular in the glow of the setting sun - simply amazing stuff that makes me want to visit in late season. Seeing the moose in snow is a reminder of how early the winter sets in up there and I can only imagine the scenery after seeing that photo.

I am sure you will post some photos from Banff and other stops you made on your trek back home, am anxiously looking forward to seeing them.

I have really enjoyed following along with your Denali experience all season through the blog.

Michaela said...

Hello Ken, what an amazing photograph from this magnificent animal!
We saw a documentary about the Denali Moose on Tv just one week ago...

The Birdlady said...

What an amazing adventure you had! Thanks for sharing.