Bull caribou on autumn tundra, Alaska range. Canon 5D Mark III, 500mm f/4L IS w/1.4x (700mm), 1/250 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400.
While driving from Fairbanks to McCarthy, Alaska with friends, for a combined 1/2 marathon race and music festival, we happened upon two bull caribou foraging along the autumn covered tundra just north of the Alaska Range mountains. The colors of the tundra were nearly peaked, in that they included all phases of the green, yellows and reds that create an amazing palette on the landscape. This bull caribou was just loosing the velvet coating on the antlers in preparation for the autumn rut marking the breeding season. Thanks to the sun roof in my vehicle, I was able to get enough elevation to overlook some of the shrubs that were obscuring the legs of the caribou. The gentle back lighting in this frame accentuates the colors and provides a slight rim light on the caribou fur.
Wow caribou, a marathon, and then live music! Only in Alaska
Steve, so right you are!
Nice image, Patrick. A friend of mine saw and photographed that same bull and I’ve been wanting to get down there, but so far no luck in finding the time. The new 500 sits in the case.
On another matter…I’ve been attending the Outdoor Writers conference this week at Chena Hot Springs, and while there I recieved a copy of “On Arctic Ground.” An absolutely stunning book with several important messages to readers, as well as fabulous photography by you and some of your colleagues. Great job!
Everyone needs to get out and purchase this fine book!
Hey Jim,
Thanks for the comments on the book. I was glad to be a part of that project and think the book in general, turned out very satisfactory.