Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent Ecosystem - Bear Research

In a press release issued May 15, 2017 Glacier National Park announced that it will begin it's annual inter-agency effort to monitor grizzly bears throughout the Crown Ecosystem. The  Park Services is asking the public to avoid entering trapping locations, and always have your bear spray handy and know how and when to use it. 

A young male grizzly bear. © Tony Bynum

Here's a grizzly location map from about 2008 . . . By the looks of it, at least within the study area and on it's margins, Grizzly bears have been, or will likely be everywhere at one time or another. Sure, some will venture beyond where humans think they should go, after all, they are still bears.  Click here see more photographs of wild grizzly bears.

The dots represent the average location of each bear. Glacier Park is north of Highway 2 and south of the Canadian Boarder. Source: Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, "Montana Outdoors," Magazine, 2009. 

According to the press release, areas where bears are actively being trapped or baited will be marked and flagged so heed the warring and avoid entering these areas. Research is a necessary part of management our resources. We should respect the request and not disrupt the data collection activities, or the bears for that matter. In a similar story, a number of years ago a man was actually killed by a bear after entering a study closer area. 

Thoughts on Bear Management 

Although I personally believe we have the data we really need at this point (researchers will always come up with more questions than answers). I believe the real problem for our bears, and most wildlife is not that we don't know enough about them, but we don't do enough of the right things, to allow them to live. It comes down to habitat, and politics. 

The two things, loss of habitat though encroachment mostly from new homes and towns expanding into the remaining high quality habitat, and the strength of the political machine to talk about the importance of habitat but then make decisions that, at least for the foreseeable future (our lifetimes and our children's) are not good for wildlife, particularly bears. 

A grizzly bear sow with her two cubs. © Tony Bynum

As a society we can't just leave a trial a trail, we have to turn it into a road. A road then becomes a highway and soon enough there are 14 foot fences down either side of a 500 foot easement streaming semi's and cars, 3 wide each way for miles. Yet we still study bears to try to find out what they need. I'll tell you what they need. To start, they need space and to be left un molested. 

I've always thought we could do away with most of the monitoring, and expense, if we would do things that we know protect the habitat. But since we cant do that, we have to keep looking for more minutia or that silver bullet that says, "if we do this, it will be okay, go ahead and drill right here." 

More education and less study is what we need. We need an ecological ethic. 

Well folks, I'll leave you with this from Aldo Leopold: 

“The time has come for science to busy itself with the earth itself. The first step is to reconstruct a sample of what we had to start with. That in a nutshell is the Arboretum.” The Arboretum and the University, The River of the Mother of God.

Full copy of the Glacier National Park Grizzly Monitoring Press Release 

May 15, 2017

Lauren Alley 406-888-5838

MEDIA17-18

Annual Bear Monitoring and Capturing Begins

Visitors urged to be alert and follow bear safety protocols while hiking in the park

WEST GLACIER, MT – Each year, Glacier National Park participates in an interagency effort to monitor grizzly bear population trends in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem.

To monitor population trends, bait stations, automated cameras, and traps are used to capture and mark the animals. There are an estimated 300 grizzly bears living in the park. The park’s goal is to maintain a sample of up to 10 radio-marked female grizzly bears for this monitoring effort. This year, some bears may receive a collar for the first time. Others may have a collar replaced if it is near the end of its useful lifespan.

Brightly colored warning signs identify bait stations and trap sites. Visitors are required to heed these signs and not enter closed areas. In 2010, a man was killed by a grizzly bear seven miles east of Yellowstone National Park after wandering into a capture site. Trapping efforts will continue May 15 through October at various locations throughout the park.

“Glacier National Park is bear country, and park visitors should be prepared for bear sightings, in addition to following other hiking safety precautions,” said Jeff Mow, Glacier National Park Superintendent.

Park visitors should travel in groups and make loud noises by calling out or clapping their hands at frequent intervals, especially near streams, and at blind spots on trails. These actions help avoid surprise bear encounters. Do not approach any wildlife; instead, use binoculars, telescopes, or telephoto lenses to get a closer look. Visitors should maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from any bear within the park. 

While carrying firearms within national parks and wildlife refuges is permitted as consistent with state laws, proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best method for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved. Wounding a bear, even with a large caliber firearm, can put you and others in far greater danger.

Anyone participating in recreational activities in bear country is highly encouraged to have bear spray. The bear spray should be readily accessible, and hikers should know how to use it.

Visitors should store food, garbage and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes when not in use. Garbage must be deposited into a bear-resistant trash can or dumpster. These actions help keep bears from becoming conditioned to human food, and help keep park visitors and their personal property safe.

Visitors should report any bear sightings or signs of bear activity to the nearest visitor center, ranger station or by calling 406-888-7800 as soon as possible.

In addition to bear safety precautions, hikers in Glacier National Park should review other safety measures to take when exploring park trails. To help plan day hiking trips in the park, Glacier offers a Day Trip Plan to help visitors prepare for their hike. Before departure, it is vital to tell someone where in the park you are going, and how long you expect to be gone. Visitors should carry the ten essentials, including a map of the area, a compass, a flashlight, extra food, extra clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, a pocketknife, matches in a waterproof container, a candle or other fire starter, and a first aid kit. Visitors should also carry bear spray and be prepared for suddenly changing weather events.

For more information about how to safely explore Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac. 

Glacier National Park - Landmark Areas now CLOSED to the public!

A record number of visitors toured Glacier National Park in 2014 (read more about that story here). During the same year that Glacier National Parks set a record for visitation, officials closed the Logan Pass area to off trail travel. 

Triple Falls, aka Twin Falls or Colliding Falls, in Glacier National Park is now CLOSED! ©tonybynum.com 

Logan Pass is at the top of the Going to the Sun Road, arguably one of the most impressive and attractive alpine area for visitors in Glacier National Park (at least in August).

Logan Pass parking lot at the top of the Going to the sun Highway. ©tonybynum.com 

After over 100 years of open access, Glacier National Park officials closed several popular areas including, Reynolds Creek, Oberland, and Clements Mountain to off trail travel. The closure applies to everyone but certain park officials, or other people with proper permits, but as far as going anywhere off the Hidden Lake Trail to take photographs, or just walk, forget it. 

The large area in light yellow or light green - (I can't tell which I'm partially color blind) - that covers most of the central map area, is the closed portion of Logan Pass. Source: 2014 Glacier National Park Compendium. 

The Following is taken directly from the Glacier National Park Compendium.

B) The following areas are closed, as posted, to ALL OFF-TRAIL TRAVEL for the

protection of revegetation projects, existing resident vegetation and seasonal habitat for

congregating bighorn sheep and mountain goats:

1) The Logan Pass area, which consists of all areas within the following exterior

boundaries: Oberlin Peak climber trail, from the trailhead, to Oberlin Peak;

Oberlin Peak to Clements Peak; Clements Peak, along Clements Ridge, to the

first switchback on the Hidden Lake Trail; first switch back on the Hidden Lake

Trail, along the first bench above Hidden Lake, to Reynolds Pass; Reynolds Pass,

along the southern edge of the Hanging Garden area, to the cliff wall above the

Reynolds Creek valley; and bound by the remainder of the cliff wall, above

Reynolds Creek valley, and Going-to-the-Sun Road. Refer to map section at end

of chapter. Exceptions:

i) The following trails are not included in this closure: Logan Pass

Visitor Center walkways, Hidden Lake Trail, Oberlin Peak climber route,

Clements Peak climber route and Reynolds Peak climber route.

ii) Over snow travel is not included in this closure, so long as travel is

NOT conducted over bare ground, rock, or vegetation and all travel is on

contiguous snowpack immediately accessible from established trail

corridors [see 36 CFR 1.5 (a)(1)(iii)(H) for wildlife distance

requirements].

iii) Administrative functions and special use or research permitted

activities are not included in this closure (Glacier National Park 2014 Compendium).

I called Glacier National Park Officials and asked if there was a way to get a permit to photograph the Triple Falls, they said no. In fact, they said no and sounded surprised I would even ask (I think almost every park employee I've ever met or come across dislikes photographers).   

Thousands of photographs of Triple Falls, (aka, Twin Falls, Colliding Falls), the meadows of around Rynolds Creek, various other unnamed waterfalls, and wildlife have been used to “show off the park,” and the state of Montana for decades. Who know’s how many lives have been changed and how many forever lasting memories have been made possible around the Logan Pass area and at Triple Falls. 

One of the best known, modern day landscape photographers, Galen Rowell (deceased August 2002) first made the Triple Falls image famous when it appeared on the cover of Outdoor Photographer. Although many of us had been there, and photographed it over the years, Galen managed to make it one of Glacier National Parks most iconic photographs.

Two people photographing Triple Falls (Twin Falls) in Glacier National Park. ©tonybynum.com

Triple Falls (Twin Falls) black and white, Glacier National Park. I took this photograph many years ago when the area was open. Notice that shortage of water falling over the rim. In most photographs taken of this location, you'll notice much more water colliding and flowing over the rock faces. The area was historically open when the water was mostly gone in order to protect the delicate nature of the place. I always restrained from following the crowds of people who would go to this location when it was prime for photography, because it was closed. Admittedly, I would have preferred to have a photo of this location that's as good as the thousands of others that have been made of it in the past - I choose to use my judgement.  ©tonybynum.com 

Interestingly enough, Galen was known to think, and discuss the impacts that nature lovers like himself had on the health of our environment. He was somewhat conflicted by the commercialization of our places due to his own actions, but always did his best to follow the rules, and make the protection of a place his priority. I believe he did think we were capable, as photographers, of overdoing it -- by loving our places to death. Well Galen, if you can hear me now, we've loved Glacier National Park to death. Sorry bud.  

Here's a real example of a heart warming story made possible by Triple Falls. Two kids journeyed to Glacier National Park to find this magical place that they'd only seen in pictures. Turns out they were looking for Triple (Twin) Falls - this is their story. 

As you watch the video notice how trampled the area already is. I’m not sure of the exact date this video was made, but It looks too early for this area to be open. There’s to much water and the area is much to wet.  

In the past it was open only after the soils had dried out and the plants had gone to seed. In some years it would not open at all. So, I suspect these kids either ignored the closer, or did not realize they the area was off limits. Nonetheless, their story is one that will no longer be possible unless others choose to break the law by trespassing.

What's important to note is that to my knowledge, no public impute was ever gathered. People were not asked about this closure and not included in any discussion that I'm aware of as to the potential for closures. Obviously few people likely even recognized that there was a problem, yet the park service decided to close it anyhow. Is there not a solution to this problem that might include the people who own the land, you and I? 

The truth is, parts of Glacier National Park are being managed by a standard not even known in the most protected landscapes, our nations wilderness areas. At least in wilderness areas people are allowed. I'm not saying rules are unimportant or that this area of Glacier National Park should not have tighter restrictions, but to make the executive decisions to just close it for good is disturbing. 

I'd like to know if this closure matters to you. If it does, please comment or give the Glacier National Park a call (maybe comment on their facebook page too). 

Read the rules for yourself if you like.  Here's a link to 2014 Glacier National Park Compendium .

Glacier National Park Photography 2013 summed up - be in the moment

Posting a series of new Glacier National Park photographs from 2013. This is a photograph of a storm on Saint Mary Lake from 2013, one of my favorite places and one I have photographed literally hundreds of times. 2001 was the fist time I photographed the lake. At that time I saw huge waves crashing on the shore of Saint Mary Lake, so I decided to figure out how best to photograph it. . .  It is challenging.  I'll give you a warring, and some advise, you're going to get wet if that bothers you, stay off the shore when the wind is blowing. If you don't have gear that you can get wet, forget shooting this lake-shore when the wind is blowing - your stuff is going to get wet!!!  That's just a fact. 

Waves crashing down on the shore of Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana. A stunning perspective from Glacier National Park. Nikon d4, Nikon 14-24 f2.8 lens, Really Right Stuff legs, and ball head, several filters . . .  ©tonybynum.com all rights reserved. 

For 2013, Glacier National Park was average to above average to outstanding depending one when and where you were. In some places the summer weather helped produce some of one of the best alpine wild flowers I have ever seen. The lower to mid elevations in several drainage's, were fantastic as well. 

Fall conditions, well, lets not talk about the fall colors on the east side this year - basically I can say this, "what fall colors." As is par for Glacier, the leaves along the east side (Saint Mary, Babb) turned brown and never produced the fabulous colors some of you may have seen in the past or in photographs.  The fact is, it's about every 5 years that we get a fall to remember on the east side of the park. 

The west-side was another story, it was great. Lots of nice color and a long warm fall weather. 

One of the great things about photographing Glacier Park, and being a Montana outdoor photographer is the extreme variability. There's always some place new or un-explored or in the very least, different, to photograph.  

Living and operating an outdoor photography business in Montana, on the edge of Glacier National Park, is any outdoor photographers dream. I've been here for over a decade now and love it everyday! A benefit of living here is that I see Glacier National Park every day - well, when I'm home or in the office. Seeing the same place over and over again has taught me to have more patience. Light is the key to photography Glacier National Park. Anyone can take photos of the park, but if you want to create something new and or unique, it's all about the light.  On the bright side, if you stick around long enough, you'll get dramatic light!  

Perhaps something else that tempers my view and allows me to become a better Montana and Glacier National Park photographer, is that I see it so often I'm not "star-stuck" by a beautiful scene. It's my assertion that most photographers arriving in Glacier National Park are spellbound the moment they see it. Being spellbound or starstruck almost forces you to start taking photographs just because your're there, and just because you think the scene is stunning . . .  

Sun rise on Sinopah, Two Medicine Lake waves crash on the shore, and into a dead log with stump. Two Medicine Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. Nikon d4, Nikon 14-24 2.8, Really Right Stuff legs, and ball head. ©tonybynum.com all rights reserved

I'm not saying it's not, I'm saying our minds might be calibrated a little differently. Just as a New-York'er will say that tall buildings are stunning, when I step out of the train station in downtown Manhattan, the top of my head snaps back and my eyes are on the tops of towers and man made canyons . . . I'm star struck and might even snap a few spontaneous photos. Will they be as good as someone that knows the city intimately, maybe, but most likely they wont. . .     

I must admit, sometimes fresh eyes are often more of an asset than time and experience - maybe we begin to take some things for granted if we see it everyday. The bottom line is, be in the moment no matter what you're photographing. Being in the moment, and letting go of all that's in your world, at least for a morning will improve your photography more than two hours of reading Outdoor Photography Magazine (no offence OP) or studying the latest gadgets and buying a new camera.

Connecting at the root level of your being will help calm you down and set your perspective in the direction of balance and solitude which will allow you to relax, enjoy yourself, and capture unique photos. 

Backlit, sun glowing valley, hikers moving along a ridge, near the Scenic Overlook Trail in the Two Medicine Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana.  Nikon d700, Nikon 24-120 handheld. ©tonybynum.com 

I hope you have a nice holiday season and if you have any questions or comments, we hope you'll not be too afraid to share them with us!  Tony Bynum 

Glacier National Park in the Winter

Hello folks, it's been an exciting few weeks for weather around here as the following video will reveal.  This is several short clips I shot over the course of the last two days.  Yesterday, January 19th was spectacular, and then today - Oh what a difference a day makes!  Watch this short, East Glacier Park, Browning area video.

New Portfolios
Aside from making this short video, I've been working on marketing and and put up some new portfolios on my new website.  I have new wildlife, new glacier national park, and new hunting portfolios available.  I've also been working on my linkedin profile and added to that a portfolio of north american big game wildlife images.

Business
I'll have to admit, I really like the marketing side of the photography business.  Not more than shooting of course, but the people you meet and the interesting things you learn along they way motivate me more and more each day to work harder and create better more appealing images.  I only wish there were more hours in a day.

We also are getting prepared for the spring opener of Glacier Impressions Gallery.  I sell fine art prints during the summer months here in East Glacier Park.  Here's a link to the gallery web site if you're interested.  And if you're on facebook, here's the Glacier Impressions facebook page.

In order to make a living at this, particularly in today's age of tweet this, twit that, like me, bing there, and facebook me and youtube and linked in it's vital to cover all the bases you can and for me that includes one of my favorite aspects of photography - commercial photography.  Speaking of that, I almost forgot, I just finished shooting a piece for Western Horseman.  I photographed a real western lady from Montana who will be featured in an upcoming issue of Western Horseman. She is one heck of a lady. Braved the sub zero temps and storm force winds to get the shoot in - bless her heart!

Friend Me, Like Me, or Tweet Me
So, back to business. Even though I like the business side of things, one still has to make images so one of the greatest challenges for a nature photographer is staying fresh and creative.  To me, the office time helps me to be even more focussed when I'm out shooting.  If you're not a member of facebook or twitter.com/tonybynum yet maybe it's time. . .  

You can find me on facebook, Twitter, and linkedin if you'd like. . .  If you're a member of any of these sites, friend me, like me or tweet me or just say hi!  (am i really saying all that - tweet me . . .   what the heck)?   LOL  

I hope you have a great week!  Talk to you soon. . .

Tony 

Happy New Year - shoot the weather!

Happy New Year! 
It's the first day of 2011 and I'm excited about the new photographic opportunities this year will bring!  I'm going  keep expanding on the things that people want to know more about i.e., gear, places to shoot, and timing. So in this post I'll touch a bit on all three. . .

The new year as kicked off with fantastic weather.  Here in Glacier Park, its 4 degrees and blowing 30 with 40 mph gusts, the drifts are in feet with bare ground in some places!  Perfect for getting outside -- for about a minute!  LOL  Really, the sky's are clear, the wind is blowing and its cold, but that's what it's suposto be doing here and that's part of the reason we live in this place - extreme weather - if you don't love it you don't last.

Place's to Shoot
I'm excited to get out and shoot.  The days are getting longer and it wont be long till the canada geese, snow geese and pintail ducks show up.  Before that however there's lots of winter scenes to capture.  On a given day you can go out and photograph what's right in front of your face, no matter where you live.  With just a little persistence and some focus you'll find that there's a lot of opportunity right under your nose.  If you're here in Glacier Park, or you're planing a trip out, be sure to take some time along the middle fork of the Flathead River. From West Glacier and the Flathead Valley, just go east along highway two toward Essex, along the south boundary of the Park.  There are several great locations along the middle fork from which to capture some wonderful winter landscape photos of Glacier Park.

Assignment 
If you're at home and need some inspiration why not watch the weather and over the course of the next month or two, shoot one or two different weather related theme images every week. Have your camera ready (this usually is one big difference between people who capture stunning images and those that take snap shots, they use use their cameras) and when you see something weather related, it could be the sky, an icicle hanging off the rain gutter of the house, rain coming down sideways, wind blowing trees down or water so hard it's clearing out a pond, and one of my favorites, trees!  Use your senses and if you see weather, shoot it! You'll be surprised at how interesting your images will be if you just focus on a theme, like weather, and shoot it.

Tips
Here's a tip, clear your mind and just let your emotions and feelings direct your hands to aim the camera. In today's hustle and bustle life - fast and relentless - you need to take a break.  Photographing themes like weather can be a great way to give your brain and body a break. For me, when I'm in the "zone" there's nothing else in my mind; it goes dark and dense except for my vision and my focus. It's almost like my mind is floating by itself but it's directing my hands and eyes. . .  It's automatic when you can clear your mind and let your emotions focus your photography.

I have to mention again the weather. They say that an army fights on its stomach.  Well, a winter outdoor photographers shoots on the temperature of her/his body.  If the fingers and hands get cold it's all over.  So, i like to use hand warmers.  I buy a new case every year.  For about a buck each (two per pack) you can have warm hands all day long.  I slip them into my mittens (they have a clove that covers my hand and fingers and the mitten folds over the fingers and is also where the hand warmer pouch is located) but if you don't have that kind of equipment, just put them inside your gloves or in you pockets and use them to warm your fingers when necessary.

It's still blowing here in Glacier Park, but it's time for me to go outside and get a whiff of it!

Cheers, and happy new year to you all!

Click here and see some new wildlife images from tonybynum.com 

Bighorn Sheep Photography

The forecast is for snow and high winds.  While checking the forecast the other day i noticed that the new storm approaching likely would shut down access to big horn sheep for the season so I decided to take a run up into the mountains to see what i could find. The trip was worth the effort and the storm approached from the northwest.  In an effort to to address the recent poll (at the top of this blog) I've made a short clip and addressed gear, and as you will see, fall conditions.

Take a moment and watch this short video of the my adventure.  It's a series of short clips linked together to give you a first hand view of truth about what photographing wild bighorn sheep can be like.  You'll notice that about 2/3 of the way though the video I start slurring my speech a bit, that's not because I'm sipping whiskey to stay warm, it's because my face is starting to freeze up making it difficult to get the words out correctly.  Click play and sit back and enjoy this short clip.

Today, I'm sitting here in East Glacier less then 24 hours later, it's snowing and 18 degrees, the storm is here and I'll have to wait another year to finish that quest. The great thing about nature photography, at least for me, is that everyday brings a new and potentially life changing experience.  Seldom do I find the same thing happening on consecutive days.  Even if I'm in the same location with the same subject, there's always something new to see.  For me that is what makes this business exciting.  With each day and each new sunrise comes a completely new opportunity to find another natural treasure.

I'm looking forward to what the big cold storm will leave in it's wake, and you should look forward to finding out by signing up for my blog feed!  It's the only real way you'll be sure to keep track of the conditions in Glacier National Park and elsewhere . . .  If you're interested in going on a photography adventure or learning from me while you're in Montana, send me an email or call, we can arrange customized photography sessions.  tony@tonybynum.com or call me, 406-226-9151.

Now on to new adventures!

Enjoy,

Tony

Glacier National Park, fall's over already?

Thank you for participating in my recent poll. Since the results are split I guess people just want to know more about everything. . . how refreshing. I'm happy to learn that people are interested in all sorts of wonderful things. This means I'll have plenty of subject matter to guide my posts this winter, I just have to keep up with the updates!  In this post I'll tell you a little about what I've been up to, list some shooting data for the images in the post, and I'll share with you the secret to becoming a better photographer.

Before I get to the secret, I'll mention that since I last posed I've traveled thousands of miles across Montana and Alberta Canada and shot everything from elk to frogs and even a few dead animals on the highway and a huge mound of bear scat - gota keep building the stock! This fall's colors were some of the best I can remember. Color abounded. I did notice that most places peaked a bit early this year, as compared to historical peaks. I cant explain this, can you?

More recently, Saturday I think it was, my friend Stacy and I took a trip into Glacier Park and found, 5 grizzly bears, about 50 goats, 150 bighorn sheep, a few moose, some whitetail and mule deer, a mink, lots of birds including a group of 20 gray and stellar's jays, some swans, and some people -- actually lots of people for this time of year. It seems that every year more people play longer in the park. This brings me to the latest news from today.  Here's an image from that trip.

Bull moose feeding on willow branches.  Nikon d300 and Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR af-s, f5 @ 125th hand held @ 200mm (digital equivalent: 300mm).  

And how about a short video of two of the five grizzlies I saw.  Checkout the color of that cub!

And before the day was over, we managed after searching for what seemed like hours to find a few bighorn sheep.  These boys are getting ready for the rut later in November.  Thank my lovely assistant Stacy for filming this segment.

I went to take a stroll up around two medicine lake but the road was closed. I suspect that the forecast for possible snow caused the park service to lock the gates even before there was snow on the road. It use to be that the road stayed open until the snow closed it. Not anymore, anyone care to share with the rest of us why they close the road when it' bare?

Two Medicine Road at Park Boundary - CLOSED!  Nikon d700 24-120 af-s, VR II lens, f11 @ 160th

As you can tell, I'm a little disappointed by this as this is the time of year I like to get out into the Park and with the roads closed it's difficult to go in very far in a day.  Oh well, maybe they will reopen them before the years out . . .

With all the leaves gone and the snow just starting to fall, I guess fall really is over.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the next few weeks will bring!  Fall and early winter are my favorite times of the year.  The light is good all day, the animals are still active and chasing down the last of the seasons green vegetation and the air is cool, crisp and cold!

And now for the secret to how to be a successful outdoor, nature and wildlife photographer.  GET OUT OF BED! That's it, that's the secret.  I'm convinced that it is the single most important thing you can do if you want to make something of your photographic efforts.  You have to get up and be in the correct location when the light gets good.

For me that's easy, or at lest it has been for the past 40 years.  I love to get up early.  My mother told me that even before I was out of the crib I was waking up at 5 and sometimes 4am.  She said I'd stand in my crib with a loud smile ready to get up and get the day going.  I still like to get up early and have a burning desire to see the sunrise every day.  While I'm not a huge fan of silhouettes, I do believe this one of a massive bugling bull elk is a once in a lifetime image that's worthy of anyones archives, but more importantly and to the point, it's an example of what's possible when you get up early (this is NOT a recreation or a composite, and it's not "photo-shopped," this is the real thing)!  

Trophy bull elk bugles atop a ridge as the sun burns the clouds red before it peaks over the horizon.  Nikon d700 200-400 af-s VR II, ISO 800, 1/200th @ f4, hand held.  

I'm exited to see what the next few weeks brings!  Snow, no snow, ice, wind, sun or rain, I'll be out there and getting up early!

Cheers, Tony