A Moose and a Lily Walk Into a Berg

[MonikaC]

I made a quick trip to Wyoming to check on conditions before I go backpacking in a few weeks.

This youngster was spooked by a vehicle going the other way and it headed straight towards me. Sibling was on the other side of the road in the trees. Mama nowhere in sight.

Avalanche lilies (Erythronium grandiflora) carpeted the ground. These were at my campsite. Along with the unofficial state bird, the mosquito, in great quantity.

And as a bonus, a lonely little iceberg floating on one of the lakes in the Medicine Bows below the Snowy Range Diamond. I had only expected to shoot macros of flowers, so used my 105mm macro as a normal lens for this.

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice set of subjects. I like the young moose with all four feet off the ground. I thought mosquitos were the state bird of Alaska. Wyoming gets a share too? I like the lily and the mini-iceberg. The water takes on some interesting textures between the light ripples and the wind.

 

[JimFox]

Love your title Monika!

It looks like the moose is levitating! Great image.

The other 2 are also really nice. It's alway weird to see ice floating in a lake in July, but it's cool for sure!

 

[MonikaC]

Nice set of subjects. I like the young moose with all four feet off the ground. I thought mosquitos were the state bird of Alaska. Wyoming gets a share too? I like the lily and the mini-iceberg. The water takes on some interesting textures between the light ripples and the wind.

Thanks, Alan. I think a number of states can probably claim moxies as their state bird. I've heard Minnesota's slogan changed to "Land of 10,000 mosquitos" and I know of a motorcycle rider touring through Montana who got bit while gassing up.........through his full set of leathers.

It took me way too long while shooting the iceberg to realize why my images were blurry -- kept checking my focus, checking the shutter delay, upping the ISO, going as fast as I could without blowing out the highlights......... before holding the tripod down securely on the heather. Duh.

 

[MonikaC]

Love your title Monika!

It looks like the moose is levitating! Great image.

The other 2 are also really nice. It's alway weird to see ice floating in a lake in July, but it's cool for sure!

I'm sure Kyle saw much bigger icebergs in Glacier, but I was happy with the miniature.
I was glad the moose turned towards me, but it's too bad it was frightened. At least the oncoming vehicle didn't hit it. Tourists pretty much know that there are moose there & are on the lookout, but locals are often in a big hurry & going 60-70mph.

 

[KevinA]

Very nice shots Monika, the flying moose is good timing.

 

[MonikaC]

Very nice shots Monika, the flying moose is good timing.

Thanks for commenting, Kevin.