The late afternoon storms moved east over the mountains, leaving a brilliant blue painted in the sky. I dried off my popup shelter, packed it away and made my way through the thick brush of the valley. My eyes were open. I intently watched for any sign of movement. I knew the wildlife to be particularly fruitful in this part of the Rockies.
As any passionate photographer will attest to, it is the calm before the storm, the stillness before the shot that drives us forward at a quiet, glacial pace. For it had not been a week since my run in with an adult moose in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. It was early morning then, however, and he was but a few feet from me as I held my breath.
Moose and elk can be fearsome creatures if put in the wrong situation, but it is the great bear that has me on edge. Sightings were reported days prior. My eye and my camera begged the mind for a chance to see one up close, even if only through a lens. But it is my heart that beat with a mounting fear.
As any passionate photographer will attest to, it is the calm before the storm, the stillness before the shot that drives us forward at a quiet, glacial pace. For it had not been a week since my run in with an adult moose in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. It was early morning then, however, and he was but a few feet from me as I held my breath.
Moose and elk can be fearsome creatures if put in the wrong situation, but it is the great bear that has me on edge. Sightings were reported days prior. My eye and my camera begged the mind for a chance to see one up close, even if only through a lens. But it is my heart that beat with a mounting fear.
I moved low through the clearing. A rustling to my left. I spun round and saw a group of four moose tramping through the underbrush. My foot snapped a twig and they looked up in my direction. Lowering to to the ground, I slid my big Ape Case backpack from my shoulders and unzipped the largest compartment. My backup camera body, lenses and other accessories gleamed up at me. I switched to my long-range telephoto lens. I pulled the kickstand of the bag out and it stood upright as I moved closer.
I watched, moving slowly, keeping an eye on the heard from the eye of the camera. The moose were full grown with towering antlers. Two were still looking for me. And the others were stripping and chewing leaves from the branches below. I framed the image and took my shot. Success!
I watched, moving slowly, keeping an eye on the heard from the eye of the camera. The moose were full grown with towering antlers. Two were still looking for me. And the others were stripping and chewing leaves from the branches below. I framed the image and took my shot. Success!
Looking back, I succeeded in my expedition to see wildlife, but I came up short on finding a bear. My only hope is, that when I find one, that I'm not their next meal. Until that time comes.
I use the Ape Case Pro Rolling backpack for my larger trips. It is big and strong, with a ton of features and ample storage space. If you're backpacking, and/or already carrying a ton of camping gear, this pack might be a little too big and heavy for you, but I've found that for most of my larger trips, especially when I will be moving from wildlife to landscape photography and back again, that a bigger pack like the ACPRO4000 can be a great help. Plus, it rolls!
I use the Ape Case Pro Rolling backpack for my larger trips. It is big and strong, with a ton of features and ample storage space. If you're backpacking, and/or already carrying a ton of camping gear, this pack might be a little too big and heavy for you, but I've found that for most of my larger trips, especially when I will be moving from wildlife to landscape photography and back again, that a bigger pack like the ACPRO4000 can be a great help. Plus, it rolls!
Features of the Ape Case Pro Rolling Backpack ACPRO4000:
(Photos #1-3 by Brandon Scott/Eye & Pen – Photos #4-5 via © Ape Case)
- Smooth rolling in-line skate style wheels make transporting your equipment a breeze. Trolly is detachable.
- Fully adjustable and padded harness system ensures maximum comfort.
- Retractable any-weather rain protection system keeps equipment dry.
- Designed with multiple compartments that can reconfigure to hold different cameras, lenses and flashes.
- And so much more...
(Photos #1-3 by Brandon Scott/Eye & Pen – Photos #4-5 via © Ape Case)
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