I decided I was going to go deep in the backcountry the other day looking to photograph whatever happened to be hanging around that day. After a long and grueling hike into the area I wanted to photo, I came upon this Lynx on a log. He didn't even move. I got several shots before he lept off.

Well, I kept going knowing how lucky I was to get that shot. I thought, what other predators might be around? So I squeeled like a dying rabbit to try and lure something in. After 45 minutes of calling, I was rewarded with a big fat coyote. I snapped a few before he decided I was not dinner


At this point, I'm not thinking it gets any better than the day I'm having. A couple miles further up the canyon and I hear antlers cracking against each other. I'm thinking, why would deer be fighting this late in the breeding season? I didn't know buy the source of the sounds were two large roseys fighting. It was low light so I captured the shot the best I could before they spooked.

Totally amzed at the day I had, I headed back to the truck. I took a different route on the way down and came upon a small pond in the forest. I couldn't believe my eyes when there was a large cow moose on the other shore. I didn't know what a moose would be doing in this country, but snapped a photo for proof. I made it back to the truck feeling very happy about the day I had.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Actually, I'm full of crap. I did have an amazing day, but it was with my wife and three year old daughter at NW Trek. I had to get my daughter to make faces and scream at the lynx to get it to look at me for the photo. The coyote was really really interested in my daughter. They never took their eyes off her... Made me kind of nervous actually. Then we took the tram and I had to listen to a bus driver/environmentalist the whole way. He explained to us how when the elk and deer fight with their horns that it's a common myth that they get stuck together and die. He said that is just an urban legend and has never been proven to happen...

Anyways, the light was low and everything was shot at about 1600 iso so there is some grain. I was surprised that you can get good useable shots at that iso. All these shots were with a $120 Tokina f5.6 lens hand held. I know I always preach about good lenses, but this is proof you can get good shots with a cheapo.
shawn