Best of 2023 Part II: America The Wild

Part II of my “Best Of” blog piece focuses on my most memorable wildlife encounters of 2023. I’m blessed here in Montana to not have to travel very far to photograph a wide variety of wildlife species. This past year, however, I really focused my efforts on elusive cats, mainly the mountain lion, or cougar. I have dedicated the past several years to building a portfolio of these majestic, yet seldom observed cats. Over the past few years, I have been able to narrow down specific areas where my odds of capturing these big cats are almost guaranteed. Finding these areas meant putting in hundreds of hours, both in the field and also by using Google Earth to scout out potentially viable areas. That’s where my DSLR camera traps (not to be confused with “trail cameras”) come into play. I can leave these cameras out in the field, essentially working for me 24/7, for extended periods of time. As a result, a majority of the images that you will see here took considerable amounts of both time and effort to achieve. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do!

“MOUNTAIN KING” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

I picked up my first camera at a very young age, but it wasn't because I wanted to become a photographer when I grew up, at least not at first. As a young boy, one of my favorite hobbies was tracking animals. I would set off into the woods alone with nothing but a small pack containing everything I needed to document the wild animals that lived in my neighborhood: a ruler, a pencil, a notebook, and a can full of plaster of paris so that I could make castings of the footprints I found. As time went on, I found myself wanting more than just measurements and casts of tracks. I started carrying inexpensive, one-time-use disposable 35mm cameras to capture photographs to go along with my records. As I got a bit older, maybe 15 or 16, I purchased my first 35mm SLR camera.

At first, I was strictly documenting tracks and sign with the camera, but soon I found myself purchasing a small telephoto lens, hoping to capture animals that I encountered in the woods: groundhogs, foxes, deer, coyotes, skunks, whatever I came across. It was easier said than done! Not only was I carrying a camera in hand, I was also building basic remote camera "traps" to capture images of nocturnal wildlife. These crude designs made use of sensors found in motion-activated lights, vehicle door lock actuators (to trigger the camera's shutter button), and heavy metal boxes to keep everything waterproof. The light source was the flash on the 35mm camera. Talk about an unflattering look!

As I grew older, my passion at times took the back burner as the hustle and bustle of everyday life sometimes got in the way. In the back of my mind, however, I was quietly plotting my career path as an artist. I knew the road would be long and not even close to easy. Making a living as an artist is not easy or guaranteed, not in any way. Sure, I get to travel and take "pretty pictures" for a living, but what you don't see is all of the countless hours spent in wild places to capture a singular, special moment in time. Along with that, there is also the thought and dedication that goes into crafting meaningful imagery. Lastly, you must have a strong passion for nature.

That brings me back to the image that you see here of a large male mountain lion checking out a rocky outcropping on a late winter morning in Montana. It is a combination of several of my passions. Tracking, wildlife, and photography, all wrapped up into a single image. Technology has come a long way since I first started building my own remote cameras back in the early 2000s. Nowadays, I build much more sophisticated camera traps using DSLR cameras, infrared sensors, and off-camera flashes so that I can get creative with the light. I spend countless hours scouting in the wild to find just the right place for a camera trap. Unlike with traditional wildlife photography, where you are often reacting to the conditions and behavior in real-time, with camera trapping, you are only limited by your own imagination. The photographer is able to control nearly the entire process. Everything from the composition to the lighting, and to some extent, even where the animal is captured within the frame.

In order to capture this image, I spent several winters tracking and studying the habits and movements of these big cats. During that time, while out checking on camera traps one morning, I was even fortunate enough to witness a cougar successfully hunting its prey at very close range. On one particular morning, I was out scouting for sign and located a single, partial imprint in the snow beneath this overhanging rock. Based on that single impression and behavioral knowledge of the animals themselves, I decided it was worth setting up a camera in hopes the cat would eventually return to this location. After several long months of patiently waiting, this large male finally returned to this rocky overhang and triggered my camera early one morning as winter was coming to a close. The location was so specific that this cat and a few passing elk were the only animals that I captured over a three-month period of time!

“HIGH COUNTRY” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

I first came across this location over a year ago and made note of it. Having spent so much time in the field learning the habits of mountain lions, this rocky outcropping looked like the perfect haunt for a cat. I monitored the area for several months and began to see a pattern of activity emerging. This past year, I was able to finally get one of my DSLR camera traps in place. Both the camera setup and the lighting proved to be quite challenging, as the location is literally right on the edge of a small cliff. With a little ingenuity, I was able to make it work. Over the next several months, I captured a few of my favorite images of mountain lions to date, and I missed an even better shot of a female with kittens due to dead batteries. That's just the way it goes sometimes! In the end, though, patience and persistence paid off.

“A TAIL OF TWO LIONS” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

This image, taken in the fall, shows a mother mountain lion and her cub on a dreary, rainy morning in Montana. I captured this unique image using one of my sophisticated DSLR camera traps. It's always exciting to capture more than one animal in a single frame. I particularly liked the natural framing of the youngster by the mother's long, curved tail.

Mountain lions are solitary creatures, typically living and hunting alone. They are rarely seen in groups, except for mothers with their young, and occasionally during mating season, when males will travel with females for short periods of time. They are territorial and often have large home ranges, with males having larger ranges than females. This solitary lifestyle helps them survive in their natural habitat, as they are able to hunt and avoid confrontation with other animals more efficiently, while at the same time reducing the risk of competition for resources.

“GHOST OF THE ROCKIES” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

Here is another photograph I captured at the same location as the image above this one. If you look closely here, you'll see the ghost cat of the Rockies, the mountain lion. In remote camera trapping, "ghosting," as it is often referred to, occurs when the ambient light in a scene competes with the light from the flashes. In this case, a rising full moon was much too powerful of an ambient light source. The instantaneous light from my flashes "froze" the cougar, but as the cat moved out of the frame during the long exposure, the animal became semi-transparent.

A majority of the time, these "ghostly" images do not turn out so well. For some reason, I didn't mind it with this image. Perhaps because of the moody atmosphere created by the full moon. The more I looked at the image, the more I enjoyed it!

Are you a wildlife photographer who is interested in capturing high-quality images of wild animals in their natural habitats? If so, you’ve come to the right place! My extensive eBook: The Ultimate Guide to DSLR Camera Trapping will teach you everything you need to know and more about remote camera traps. Designed not only to be a crash course in camera trapping, this in-depth guide will also teach you the necessary and valuable skills that you need to know so that you too can begin capturing images like the ones you see above. You can check it out at the link below:

“MOOSE POND” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

Sometimes, just being in the right place at the right time can yield the best images. This capture is a prime example of just that!

“BOLD SPIRIT” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

While out tracking Canada lynx over the winter, I had a fleeting moment with this young, inquisitive cat. While the encounter did not last very long, I was able to make this image while lying flat on my stomach in the deep snow. Being that they are such a rarity in Montana, I always cherish the moments I get to spend with these elusive wildcats.

“VIGILANT” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

Another special encounter occurred during the spring. Here, a female great gray owl diligently watches over her young at the nest. If you look carefully, you may spot the beak of one of the tiny newborn chicks. Great gray owls rely heavily on large snags (dead standing trees) such as this one, as they provide these big raptors with an ideal nesting habitat. Of the many great gray nests that I photographed in 2023, this image was one of my favorites.

“LAST LIGHT” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

"Where light and shadow fall on your subject -- that is the essence of expression and art through photography" -- Scott Bourne

To me, this sentiment really rings true. I am reminded just how important light is in photography. Far too often, I see images that are missing this fundamental ingredient. Simply capturing an image of a wild animal, or a scenic landscape, for that matter, doesn't necessarily make it a great image. Light has the power to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Until one learns to “see” and master light, only then will they discover the key to photography. Take, for example, this image of a ram I photographed in Montana. It turned out be one of my favorite wildlife portraits from last winter. Without the beautiful sidelight from the setting winter sun, this would be nothing more than your average run-of-the-mill portrait of a bighorn ram. When you add in that special light, however, it becomes something far more.

“SHARING THE VIEW” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

A rare combination of conditions lined up perfectly, and this is what led to me capturing this unique image from Glacier National Park. First, a measurable snowfall, followed by no wind (a rarity for this area!), and the road through the valley had to be drivable still. Check, check, and check!

The next morning, I made the 6-hour drive to the east side of the park, arriving at the trailhead a little after 3 p.m. and began the solo 5-mile trek up to the glacier. The plan was to photograph the sunset up there, which at this time of the year was a little after 6 p.m., so I hiked at a relatively fast pace. Not only that, but temps were hovering in the single digits. By moving quickly, I was able to stay somewhat warm throughout the hike. When I arrived, I found the Upper Grinnell Lake to be already frozen solid. With some time left before sunset, I made the decision to descend to this lower vantage point overlooking Grinnell Lake instead. Without much time left before sunset, I managed to find a composition that I liked just before the clouds lit up.

As I was waiting for the light to get better, I was paid a surprise visit by a couple of friendly “locals.” A female mountain goat and her youngster! I was framing up a nearby composition when I first noticed the pair. They were about 100 yards below me, moving across a snowy cliff band. As the light in the sky became more and more intense, I found myself glued to the viewfinder. Eventually, I looked up and caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over and was shocked to see a mountain goat quietly observing me from a few feet away. I remained still, and once the goats were satisfied that I wasn’t a threat, they trotted right up to join me on the rocky perch. Knowing how special the moment was, I carefully moved a few feet to my right and got into position to capture the pair as they took in the grandeur of the scene that was before us. Not only was I able to capture this iconic landscape in unique conditions, but the presence of the goats really elevated this image to another level for me.

Once the sunset was over, I began the long, frigid trek back to the trailhead in the dark. I stopped several times to photograph at a few other locations on the way down, making my way through the night by headlamp until a full moon graced me with its presence. Hiking in grizzly country always comes with a heightened sense of awareness, and when you are hiking in the dark solo, one must be hyper vigilant and aware of their surroundings. While I did not end up encountering any bears that night, just a lot of footprints, I did see one on the road driving out of the park. It was a fitting way to end the day and a reminder that I’m not the only one out there wandering through the wild.

“SECRETIVE BY NATURE” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

Mountain lions are solitary, stealthy predators that roam the extensive landscapes of both North and South America. With their powerful bodies and keen senses, these elusive creatures reign as one of the most skilled hunters in the animal kingdom. Their tawny coats blend seamlessly with their rocky and forested habitats, providing them with excellent camouflage as they stealthily navigate through their large territories. Known for their agility and athleticism, mountain lions are capable of leaping great distances and scaling steep cliffs with remarkable ease. Despite their elusive nature, they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems, contributing to the diversity and resilience of the natural world.

Shortly after returning to Montana from an autumn trip in Colorado, I had an unbelievable encounter with one of these majestic big cats while heading back from checking on one of my remote camera traps (coincidentally set for cougars!). Of the half dozen or so encounters I've had in the wild (two of which I witnessed were cougars taking down prey), this encounter was, without a doubt, the most special. Seemingly unphased by my presence, I was able to spend nearly an hour with this cat as it slowly moved through the forest, occasionally lying down underneath trees and, at one point, right out in the open! The light was fading, but I just happened to have my long lens with me, and I was able to capture several images I was very proud of. I particularly liked this one of the cat peering back at me through the natural framing of the forest.

The final two images that you will see below are from the same encounter…

“CHANCE ENCOUNTER” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

“SHADOW CAT” | PURCHASE ARTWORK

Did you miss Part I of my “Best Of 2023” BLOG? You can check it out here:

If you enjoyed my “Best Of” series, please leave me a comment below and share it with your friends!