Rocky Mountain National Park

On to Rocky Mountain National Park. I had finished my morning at Cameron Pass and went on to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was about 10:30 when I arrived near the entrance to the park. The road was already crowded (20+ cars) so I stopped to see what the attraction was. There were two very large Bull Moose laying down about ten feet apart and partially concealed by brush. I started talking to a photographer from Silver Spring, Maryland. Since I grew up in Silver Spring (a couple of centuries ago) we had a few things to talk about about while we waited. Seeing this before, I knew that at some point the Moose were going to get up and start eating again. In the meantime people (families with children) came and went, either not knowing or not caring that they could be a very nice treat.

It took about 90 minutes from the time I arrived for the first Bull to get up:

It wasn't two minutes after the first Bull got up that the second one got up:

Many more photos followed, but eventually they came very close:

I thanked them very much for a delightful show indeed. Then gave my position (and parking space) to someone else.

Cameron Pass: Part Two

Continuing with my Cameron Pass adventure, I spent about two hours (including a half hour wait time) with three Bull Moose, a Cow, and a Calf. Although the Cow and Calf left the area going back up beyond the tree line after about 45 minutes. But the Bulls provided many photo ops:

Bull Moose amidst the Lupine and Willow

Bull Moose Croaking

Dad and (maybe) Granddad

Bull Walking Right Towards Me Munching Away

No this is not the bust of a moose super-imposed on a photo of willow. But, I must say it looks that way.

Cameron Pass, Colorado

There are six different species of Moose found around the world. The Alaskan subspecies is the largest with the males averaging 1500 pounds. It is the second largest land animal in North America (2nd to the Bison). The Shiras Moose of the Rocky Mountains (and Cascades) is the smallest of the Moose (a paltry 1250 pounds), yet when you see an adult Shiras Bull Moose up close you can appreciate the fact that they all are quite large. The Eastern Species is found in Northeast US and Canada. The Western Moose is found in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. The European species is found in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Moose love shallow ponds where they can dine on submerged vegetation. But they also love oak brush, willow, and birch. They need to eat about 70 pounds of vegetation per day, so once you find them eating, there should be a decent photo op if you can get a close enough and unobstructed view.

I have found Moose before in an area near Cameron Pass (10,278 feet) where there is plenty of willow bushes. So, I left my luxurious (said with a smirk) motel in Walden to be at the precise spot just before dawn. That way I can see whether Moose are present or not. If so, I wait til dawn. If not, I go to another spot hoping to be there by dawn. But, this time I was in luck. I could see a large Bull so I waited. Once it got light enough for my camera to take a photo (at ASA 3200 equivalent) I noticed three Bulls, one Cow, and the smallest Moose Calf I have ever seen:

I love that the Lupine was so plentiful. It provided wonderful color.

Calf with Dad

Calf with both Mom and Dad

Quite surprising I was the only one there taking photos. I would have expected carloads of people. But nope. Just me. I just sat on the roadside bank and snapped away. It was a good day.

Berthoud Pass, Colorado

At 11,315 feet Berthoud Pass is getting up there (pardon the pun). As you go over the pass from the South (on US 40) you head down into the ski resort town of Winter Park. But, before you get to Winter Park, maybe a mile or so from the pass there is a small pond on the East side of the highway. You have to look through the trees (when possible) to see if anything, okay Moose, are feeding. And, voila! There was a Cow teaching her two calves how to eat underwater vegetation:

Because you have pulled over to the side of the highway, and have a big camera looking into the woods, it peaks everyone's curiosity. Within minutes its like Yellowstone. Well, maybe not quite. But, ten or so cars. Of course the first one there gets the best angle and view. I took quite a number of photos and then kindly relinquished my spot to someone else wanting to get a good view. Here are a couple more:

Mount Evans: Part Two

Continuing with my journey and Mount Evans:

The Mountain Goats I found on Thursday, (July 28th). But, I had also gone up Mount Evans on Monday, the 25th. At 14,100 feet (the last turn before the top) I found about 12 Bighorn Sheep; all Ewes or Lambs, no Rams. Here is a young Ewe standing at the edge with a drop of I'd guess 1500 feet just a half step away:

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep comprise the largest number of Bighorns. The Desert Bighorns, here in Arizona, and the California Bighorns on the West Coast are subspecies and make the total of the US population of Bighorns about 44,000. About 15,000 exist in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia. When I found them on Mount Evans, the Bighorn Sheep, like the Mountain Goats were shedding their coats. This is the hottest it ever gets on Mount Evans: 50 degrees, so to them this is "short-sleeve shirt" weather.  The photo below gives another perspective on the terrain:

While some of the Bighorn Sheep were grazing, a young one was content to contemplate life:

On Thursday, while I was sitting on a rock photographing the Mountain Goats, I turned around and saw this Bighorn Sheep Ewe standing precariously on a rock behind me about midway down the mountain slope:

Mount Evans, Colorado

I have missed Mountain Goats. Estimates set the lower 48 population at about 12,000 animals, mostly in the Cascade and Rocky Mountain ranges (some in the Olympic Mountains of Washington as well). Since they like rugged peaks and cold weather finding them is a bit of a chore. Weather and road conditions (closures) are always a consideration. And, in most cases there are no roads to where they live. Mount Evans' claim to fame is that it has the highest paved road in the world: 14,138 feet. You can hike another couple hundred feet up to the very top. It is not a road for the weak of heart, though.  Once you pass the timberline at 10,000 feet you can see forever: forever out and forever down. The advantage for the wildlife photographer is, that if there are Mountain Goats or Bighorn Sheep around you can find them. Now, of course they are not always around. They could be a couple of mountain peaks over, or on a side of the mountain you can't see. This was my fifth trip to the top and I had not seen them yet. However, as I passed the 13,000 foot mark, down in the meadow between peaks were 50 (yes 50) Mountain Goats. It's not easy to get 50 wandering Mountain Goats in a single frame and still be able to see them without a magnifying glass. Here is a photo with 12:

Once I saw them, I pulled the Jeep off the road (fortunately it was the inside part of the road), and hiked down into the meadow where they were grazing. I might point out that this requires slow serpentine walking so that the Mountain Goats aren't spooked. It's downhill and rocky terrain so it requires careful walking anyway. After about 15 minutes I got where I wanted to be to take photos. I sat on a rock just watching -- with an occasional photo. I was alone with 50 Mountain Goats. It was heaven. And, at that height heaven is literally pretty close. What I love about Mountain Goats is that they are so majestic with their beautiful snow white coats that can stand temperatures of minus 50 degrees;  broad shoulders; and ability to walk on cliffs with 75 degree angles.  Of course, this time of the year they shed their coats so they, unfortunately, don't look quite as beautiful:

But, the wonderful news is that this time of year the Kids are only a month or so old and they are darling:

What an exhilarating day. My legs where shaking for another hour after leaving the area. 

I'm Ba - ack!

Here I am sitting at my desk 2900+ miles in seven days later. My journey was to Northern Colorado in search of Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, and maybe a bear or two. If there is any drama in my blog, I'll answer the question up front. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes and a couple of surprises. I'll start with a teaser, then tell you about my adventure.

Mountain Goat Kiddies at 13,000 feet on Mount Evans

I am far less inclined to camp anymore. I remember once pulling into Yellowstone late at night and trying to pitch a tent in the dark and pouring rain. By the time it was set up, the inside of the tent was as wet as the outside -- and I was even wetter. Another time I was flyfishing in Central Oregon. I had been out all day in the rain only to return to a tent, that unbeknown to me, had a leak directly over my sleeping bag. But I also find that I need to be in a certain spot just prior to dawn and until dark. That's when the best photo ops are. I also need to be flexible in moving from one location to another depending on what -- or if -- I find anything to photograph. So, that means setting up and taking down camp must be done in the dark, maybe every day. Lastly, (and I suspect I am over justifying a nice warm room here) if I am out trudging through the sometimes muddy or wet wilderness I need (well want) a hot meal and a hot bath. Walden Colorado seems to be a favorite spot; not for it's accommodations though. It's kind of a one-horse town, too small for even a Motel 3. But it provides great access to the Colorado State Forest and a maze of back roads that get you deep into the wilderness. I'll show you some Bull Moose, Cow, and Calf photos tomorrow or the next day, but for today leave you with a nice surprise:

American Beaver out for a very quick swim early one morning.