Moose Rescue

While working in the Canadian Rockies I was presented with an usual opportunity. One that I am likely to never get again. The chance to help rescue a trapped moose.

I was working in a ski resort and during the night a moose had walked out of the woods and onto the ski run only to find itself getting its antlers tangled in the safety netting that lines the run. The moose was found during ski patrols morning sweep and by that time he was tired and completely stuck in the netting.

After a few novelty photos they called it in.

A moose is a huge animal, a lot larger than most people expect. They have spindly legs and a massive body that makes them perfect for falling through people’s windscreens and crushing them. Moose are responsible for more accidents than bears!

Once the moose was found wildlife and game were called out and after a few hours they were at our location. And who was asked to meet them and carry their equipment? Me. Any other time carrying someones stuff from a van would sound boring and mundane but this time I was happy to do it. At their van I was handed a tool box while my friend was handed the rifle!

As we took the chair lift we grabbed a camera from another friend and said to the wildlife and game guys that we hoped our boss would let us take photos. They assured us that it would be fine as they needed photos for “research purposes”.

It was actually a simple process. The moose was too tired and caught up in the netting to move so one of the guys was able to walk behind him and poke him with a long stick with a needle on it. When the moose was out cold they removed the netting from his antlers and once he woke up he was free to go.

“Who wants to take pictures with him?”

As we heard that we all rushed in from our safety distance and were able to get up close and personal with the moose while he slept through the whole event.

Moose Rescue

Sulphur Mountain

Sulphur Mountain
The View of Banff from Sulphur Mountain

For more photographs see my post Banff National Park

Banff National Park

Banff National Park is truly one of the greatest places on Earth. A few hours out of Calgary and hidden away in the Rocky Mountains lies the small ski town of Banff. In the winter this small town becomes a Mecca for ski bums from all over the world. Walking down the main street in Banff anyone is likely to hear the familiar voices of home, especially if you are Australian or British.

© Our Shadows Will Remain

Further reading, national parks from around the world:

South Downs National Park, UK

Uluru National Park, Australia

A Bridge Under the Mountain

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Group F/64

Castle Mountain
Castle Mountain, Canada

Led by the Ansel Adams the Group f/64 was a group of photographers that shared a common photographic style, usually black and white landscapes with sharp focus. For those of you who aren’t familiar with photographic terms, f/64 refers to the small size of the aperture of a camera that allows great depth of field through out the image allowing the photographer to capture amazing detail.

For more on Ansel Adams take a look at this online galley of his work.

Take the shot!

During my time in Vietnam when I was walking through the hills in the north when I was hit by a moral dilemma. There were three half naked childern climbing on a fence to look over the valley below. It would have made a great photograph but I refused to take the photo. I knew it would have been a fantastic photograph and even after pressure from my friend I stood my ground.

I don’t think it is fair to assume that it is acceptable for us to take photographs of whatever or whoever we want. I wouldn’t be allowed to take that type of photograph at home, it would be seen as inappropriate. Yes, there is a difference in culture and maybe that would be fine in Vietnam but I am a firm believer that if you wouldn’t do it at home then you shouldn’t do it while travelling.

Vietnam
Vietnam

 

Now with social media so prominent in peoples lives a photograph can be shared instantly for the world to see. How do we now opted out? Is the answer to carry a sign that says no flash photography like we see in museum or some sacred sites. As a photographer I was taught to be this silent observer who can record the details of a war but never chooses a side. but isn’t really a question of morals.

I would like to hear what you think. Should we ask before snapping away? Have you ever stolen a photograph without permission? Where should we draw the line when social media is involved. Please comment below.

See how this is effecting tourism in other parts of the world and read the article by The Guardian, How eco-tourism in the Amazon is short changing the locals.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island
Fraser Island, Australia

Welcome to Australia Zoo

When we travel many of us want to experience the highlights of the city/country we are in and usually these lists will contain zoos, theme parks or aquariums. These places are marketed as a way to educate and conserve but how fair is it on the animals. Places like SeaWorld where you can see dolphins, sea lions and even orcas up close. We are given the impression that these animals are happy in captivity but documentaries such as Blackfish and The Cove suggest otherwise.

There is one place that I have visited that I feel maybe an exception to this, Australia Zoo. Steve Irwin started the zoo in order to educate people about animals, he brought them up close so people could see them. He rehomed animals that were in unsuitable conditions and works to preserve endangered species.

Unfortunately Steve Irwin died and the zoo was left in the hands of others. The core values still remain but as developmental plans are made they may be forgotten and we could see it turn into a more ‘American’ style theme park.

Australia Zoo, Queensland
Australia Zoo, Queensland