Denali wildlife
by Mark ~ October 3rd, 2009. Filed under: Destinations, favorite moments, nature photography, wildlife.
Denali Moose
While I only spent a short 2.5 days in Denali, I suppose I had OK luck with seeing wildlife there. Only the first 17 miles of the park road are open to public traffic, which is such a miniscule portion of the entire park. Yet, it still is an incredibly large territory to try to spot something in. Bus tours take you in a bit deeper, but you don’t have the freedom to stop and get out when you want. Days in Denali were pretty much spent driving back and forth along this road until you spotted something. The hard part was knowing what sighting was worth stopping for when something better could be happening much further up the road.
Much of the wildlife was quite far off in the distance. You would see “moose-jams” of cars stopped only to find out the moose was so far away, you would need a 10,000 mm lens to get a decent subject size in a picture. However, there were some nice moments. The moose above was photographed when we happened to stumble upon as a bull and cow were making their way down a hill to cross the road. The Arctic Ground Squirrel (thanks Carl!) was found in the rocks at the turnaround point where you couldn’t go any further into the park. Needless to say, the fall colors helped create some beautiful settings.
Denali Arctic Ground Squirrel
And of course, everyone gets excited when there are grizzly bears around – including myself. Most of the bears I saw in the park were quite far away – yielding “wildlife dots in the landscape” type images. However, this fella appeared just beyond some tourist buses that were stopped by a rest area for a bathroom break. It was humorous to hear the bus drivers all of the sudden spot this bear and start yelling “Everyone back in the bus!!!” The bear didn’t stick around for long – and this shot was a grab shot with my 200-400 mm lens shooting through the windshield.
Denali Grizzly Bear
You thought cheap filters degrade image quality? Well, for this image I used a custom Dodge Charger Dusty Windshield filter for “creative effect.” 
I kept it for posterity sakes of remembering the moment. It represents an unforgettable vision of two dozen tourists scrambling out of the bathrooms as this large predator stalked them for who was the slowest to get on the bus. :-)
October 3rd, 2009 at
We’ve been watching the National Parks show on PBS. Between that and the images & stories from you and other photographers I’m eager to expand our Alaskan travels. I love that marmot image. The colors really make it!
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at
Thanks Roberta. I have been watching that series also.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2009 at
Mark, I’ve been eagerly awaiting more of your Alaskan photos and was not disappointed. The fall colors in each of your shots are indeed wonderful and the moose looks as if he posed for you.
I laughed out loud envisioning those tourist pushing and shoving trying to all get back on the bus. If they didn’t have to use the restroom prior, I’m sure they did afterwards.
I’m impressed with your results and I’d seriously consider any equipment recommendations you’d make, but I’m probably not going to add a Dodge Charger Dusty Windshield filter to my kit anything soon.
Mark, during this trip, did you ever wish for a “DX” camera for that extra 1.5 multiplication/crop factor?
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at
Earl, I brought my d2x and d700 on this trip, so one camera with the crop and the other full frame. In more cases than not, being able to shoot at higher ISOs and shutter speeds with full frame was more advantageous than the crop factor. The image quality of the d700 is so much better than my d2x as well.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2009 at
[...] Read the original post: Graf Nature Photography | Notes from the woods » Denali wildlife [...]
October 3rd, 2009 at
Mark… does that Dodge filter fit on a Canon camera? Love hearing and seeing about the other side of the continent. Your images and words are providing a great insight into the Alaskan landscape… thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at
David – it is a universal filter. Although I have to say it makes Canon images look much better.
Thanks.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2009 at
I have far too many photos taken through similar exotic windshield filters (Honda, Ford, Chevrolet), but I haven’t tried the Dodge flavor. Maybe that’s what I’m missing. After all, you say it works especially well with Canon gear.
Each of these is a delight to view. Like Roberta, I was especially taken with the color harmony in the marmot photo. That one also looks as though it were posed. “Let’s get one of you on this rock over here. The colors work so well with your ensemble.”
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at
Thanks Anita. That little guy was scrambling all over the place. You wouldn’t believe the fees he charged to actually pose in a specific place.
[Reply]
October 3rd, 2009 at
Hey Mark,
Just got back in and am checking things out .. great stuff.
By the way, that’s an Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii), not a marmot .. marmots are 3 or 4 times larger.
Love the bear.
Cheers
Carl
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 3rd, 2009 at
Welcome back, and thanks for the species correction.
[Reply]
October 4th, 2009 at
This is not just OK wildlife, this is awesome! Those moose shots especially is one of the best I’ve seen.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at
Thanks Richard. It was almost a shot that never happened. The situation of them crossing the road happened just as we arrived to this scene.
[Reply]
October 4th, 2009 at
Some great shots, Mark. I love the story about the bear. You know, you needn’t be the fastest one in the group. You only need to be on step faster than the slowest guy!
I’ve been reading your post and it sounds like you had a great adventure.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at
Thanks Paul. Yeah, it is a good thing I have long legs.
[Reply]
October 4th, 2009 at
Great photos Mark!
I know the feeling well – every minute you are sitting, watching some distant animal you feel like you are probably missing some amazing experience just around the corner!
Thanks for sharing,
Ron
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 4th, 2009 at
Thanks Ron. Wish you could have joined Carl and I at the Moose’s Tooth for some good pizza.
That situation you mention was quite tormenting!
[Reply]
October 4th, 2009 at
Ha! Love the bit about the Grizzly stalking the people. hehe. So great! Beautiful wildlife shots. I especially love the marmot, I mean ground squirrel, hehe. He looks so plump and pensive!!
[Reply]
October 5th, 2009 at
All three images are excellent but I really, really love the moose. Wonderful background on the image as well.
[Reply]
October 7th, 2009 at
Thanks Ed & Amber. Amber – you were never supposed to know I labeled it a marmot!
[Reply]
October 8th, 2009 at
My favorite is the moose image. How could anyone kill an animal with that adorable face!
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
October 9th, 2009 at
Thank you Anita.
[Reply]