Moose Photo Safaris

Happy Wednesday out there, everyone! I've had a busy and successful week guiding moose photo safaris for Alaska Photo Treks (so much that I skipped the auroras Monday night after leading an evening tour followed by an early start the next morning).

These are some of my favorite images from this week's guiding adventures. Please check out www.alaskaphototreks.com if you are interested in experiencing Alaskan scenery, wildlife, or aurora borealis with local expertise!

Also, if you are in the area, I am teaching a "Storytelling with Photography" class this Sunday afternoon from 1 - 4 pm at the Eagle River Nature Center. What stories can you piece together from the photos here? Everyone will have an individual response just like every person has their own unique story to tell. You can register here: https://www.ernc.org/public-programs.html

As always, thank you for following...

Colin

 

AlaskaWILD 2023

Hello everyone,

I was honored to have two images selected to the 2023 AlaskaWILD traveling exhibition with the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers. The show is currently at Jitters Coffee in Eagle River, AK - if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for a coffee and vote for your favorite photo!

Both of these images are featured in my "Seasons of the Nature Center" book and 2024 calendar, which are available on my website. I am also offering 10% off metal prints from my website through 2024 with the purchase of a book: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store

The books are starting to show up in local retailers as well, including Anchorage Barnes & Noble. All mail orders have been shipped, so if yours has not arrived, it is en route. I've now sold more than 500 books and there are roughly 100 calendars remaining, signed & numbered 1-500.

Have a great weekend and thank you for following!

Colin

 

Bull moose near the Rodak Trail, Eagle River Nature Center, AK

Trumpeter swan sleeping, Eagle River Nature Center, AK

Christmas Moose

Christmas Moose.

Hope everyone had a nice holiday! I was able to get outside to capture some moose photos in the deep snow (we still have close to 30" on the ground). This was one of three bulls that were feeding together and as you can see, he had a branch stuck in his headgear that wouldn't fall off. Two bulls still had their antlers and one had already shed his for the season.

Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered copies of my upcoming limited edition book, "Seasons of the Nature Center" (cover photo in first comment). The orders keep coming in and my end-of-year goal is now 200 books! Cost is $30 + $10 shipping: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center-book

I created a separate link for those in Southcentral Alaska who would like to arrange to get their books in person and skip the shipping fee: https://www.colintyler.com/online-store/seasons-of-the-nature-center

For those in the area who have already ordered and paid for shipping, I will gladly deliver your books to you in person.

Thank you,

Colin

 
 
 

Eagle River Nature Center's 25th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re having a great Monday out there! Hey I wanted to share a big event coming up at the Eagle River Nature Center this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 18, we will be hosting our annual benefit auction and this year it will be held on the Nature Center grounds. This also marks the 25th Anniversary of the Friends of Eagle River Nature Center organization (I have gratefully resided here for 7 of those years). Tickets are available for the event: https://event.auctria.com/c5dfbb53-8ecf-4be0-bd1c-385f813ad60f/

Food and beverages are included, and there will be a number of great items to bid on during the live auction, including a 36x24” metal print of this moose image.

There is also an online silent auction where you can currently view and bid on items: https://event.auctria.com/.../a780d600ec2e11e9ae081db8308...

We’d love for you to celebrate this milestone with us and support a wonderful organization!

Thank you,

Colin

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Bull Moose at the Eagle River Nature Center, June 2021

Bull Moose in the Chugach Mountains

It certainly has been a productive week for wildlife photography! Yesterday I decided to visit another area in hopes of finding moose. I bumped into an old friend/photographer and this beautiful bull moved into position for us in the last bit of afternoon light as the sun was skirting the top of a mountain across the valley.

I would also like to point out that this bull was bedded down next to a cow for nearly two hours while we waited patiently from a good distance for them to move. In that time, they were roused three times by unleashed dogs, the final one lasting for several minutes while the owner clearly had no control over the situation as the dog was aggressively approaching the bull. Both moose charged out of the brush, at which point we quickly retreated behind a group of trees until the situation was calm and the dog was finally leashed. Leashes are required in some areas but when they're not it is up to the owner to maintain control of their dog. Not only were these animals harassed while they were resting, it also put the dog, the owner, and everyone else in the vicinity in immediate danger. This wasn't the first time this has happened and likely won't be the last, but if I can persuade just one dog owner to take responsibility then my message will not have been in vain.

Thank you,

Colin

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Autumn Bull Moose

Bull moose in fall colors, taken recently on a crisp, sunny morning. This is a healthy bull going into his prime years and next year his antlers will likely grow even larger.

Hey if you or anyone you know is interested in sharpening their camera skills, I have just one spot left in this weekend's "Intermediate Wildlife Photography Class" at the Eagle River Nature Center (Alaska). There will be a Zoom class Friday evening followed by 3-hour individual lessons throughout the weekend. Cost is $85, more details and registration here: https://www.ernc.org/courses/intermediate-wildlife-photography?fbclid=IwAR17nEwWRXVWLYasWBB2eEyZrWmh-2QiU75ERPtamHIGMudmFxMqYhYeSMI

Thank you and feel free to share!

Colin

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Timing and Perspective

This is one of two local bull moose I've been watching and photographing this season and I recently captured an intense moment while it was feeding. The pose appears intimidating, though it was really just a matter of timing and being eye-level with my subject that I was able to come away with this image in the brief moment that he raised his head and moved positions. So I guess one could say that sometimes both timing and perspective are everything.

Have a great day out there and thank you for following along!

Colin

Image taken with Nikon D850.

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Moose Monday

Moose Monday was productive! This is one of two large bulls that I photographed - it seemed he was in the mood for love while the cow definitely was not.

On another note, I will be sharing the details for my 2020 Iceland Photo Tour in the coming days, so stay tuned for that...

Thank you for following along,

Colin

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Moose Eating Fireweed

Good morning and Happy Monday out there, friends! I did some guiding over the weekend for a nice couple from Texas. They wanted to photograph wildlife and hadn't seen a moose yet, so our mission was to find Alaska's pervasive ungulate and I can say with confidence that my clients were quite thrilled with what we found, as was I…

Have a great week and thank you for following along!


Colin

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Moose Monday

Hello everyone. It's Moose Monday!

This guy has been making a splash in local ponds recently. He is one of at least 3 bulls that I've seen in the area in the past few weeks. As their diet changes in the spring, so does the shape and consistency of their droppings and for this reason, is often mistaken for bear scat, which there is also an abundance of right now.

Colin

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"Give 'em a Brake"

"Give moose a 'brake'" is the slogan we're accustomed to seeing on Alaska highways. Rounding a curve and meeting one of these giants could end poorly for both parties, and they do not always yield the right of way. 

Just a reminder on this Wednesday to watch for moose, and all wildlife, that we often share the roads with. 

✌️

Colin

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Wildlife Morning

Last week I had one of my most memorable wildlife encounters since taking up residence here at the Nature Center. I watched a bull moose cross the creek between the viewing decks while a pair of trumpeter swans was upstream and moving toward the Salmon Viewing Deck, where I was standing. Just as the swans turned a corner and headed my way, I heard something behind me and looked back to see a lynx run across the entire length of the viewing deck and off into the woods past the moose! Unfortunately the lynx didn't present an opportunity for a photo but the memory of the event will always remain with me.

All in all, it was a nice start to the day and a solid reminder of why I choose to live here!

Colin

Bull Moose crossing the creek at the Eagle River Nature Center

Bull Moose crossing the creek at the Eagle River Nature Center

Trumpeter swans at the Eagle River Nature Center

Trumpeter swans at the Eagle River Nature Center


Local Bull Moose

This is one of 3 large bull moose that we've seen around the Nature Center recently. Soon their antlers will stop growing, the velvet covering will be shed, and their temperament will be less friendly when the rut (mating season) begins. Rut-crazed bulls take no prisoners when it comes to charming a potential mate and discouraging any perceived competition, which can include other bulls, people, even cars and trains. Rivals are usually met with a chase and possible head-on collision from their massive antlers, so keep a heads-up approach when hiking and maybe see if your auto insurance has a rider policy for rutting moose!

Colin

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Spring Bull Moose

 Another sure sign of spring - bull moose are sprouting new antlers. Look closely in front of the ears and you will see the start of a new rack. During summer months, bull moose focus their energy on antler development, which can grow up to an inch per day. A fully developed set of antlers can end up weighing more than 50 pounds and span 6 feet in width. Photo taken recently at the Eagle River Nature Center. 

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March Sunset

The sun set at 8:23 pm this evening in Eagle River Valley, Alaska. We've recently surpassed 12 hours of total daylight, gaining more than 7 hours since the winter solstice. I wasn't the only one out enjoying the last bit of alpenglow on the mountains, this bull moose was feeding in the creek and already sporting a new set of antlers, a sure sign of spring!

Moose Facts

Two fun moose facts for you: 

1. Moose have no upper front teeth. They have eight sharp incisors for cutting and molars & premolars for grinding their food. 

2. It was previously believed that moose would strip and eat the bark of aspen trees only out of desperation in winter months when food was scarce. After further research, it turns out the under layer may hold some nutritional value, as this bull is demonstrating here. 

Thankfully, the film crew was able to capture this today for their documentary assignment. Another great day on the job!