The annual winners of the Wildlife In NC Photo Competition have been announced and once again there are some really great photos. As one who loves photography, especially nature photography, I always look forward to seeing the winning photos. They inspire me and give me some great ideas on how to get some stunning shots my self when I’m out there with my camera.

Tundra Swans winter in the eastern part of North Carolina and one of the few places in the country where you can hunt them. One of the largest waterfowl you’ll ever see and a very beautiful bird. Hunting is an important management tool in managing these birds and by having a limited hunt for them allows a small number of them to be taken each year. To be able to hunt them you have to enter a lottery and draw a tag and unfortunately I wasn’t drawn this year.
NCWRC Tundra Swan Page
I did get the opportunity to take my camera and lay out in a muddy field ditch and photograph a hunt this year.

Young Swan lands in the decoy spread

Double Stack

Tundra Swans can be a challenge for the dogs because they are so large

Conman’s Guide Service is who I recommend to go with if you draw a tag and looking for a place to hunt.

On a photo safari of sorts this weekend to celebrate the end of 2011 and ring in the new when I encountered this wild turkey. I’d walked right up on him and he didn’t seem to concerned with me so for a brief few minutes there was this standoff between my wife and I and Tom. Of course having camera in hand I started shooting photos and that’s when I noticed he was a multi bearded bird. Photos clearly show two but there may have been 3 but who knows. How prevalent is multi bearded toms? I don’t know but I have rarely encountered any never mind photographing one. Good omen for the new year? Who knows….. lets hope.

Taking a few days off for hunting I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the deer stand and I had my camera with me. The following are some of the shots I got.

Wild turkey population looks to be healthy

If there is ever a time to head into the Catalooche Valley to see the elk now is the time. There is nothing like hearing the bugle of the bull elk across the valley as he searches for receptive cows.

Now is the height of the rutting season among the estimated 140 elk that inhabit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In Cataloochee Valley, where the herd was established a decade ago, the peak mating activity — including the bulls’ distinctive bugle calls — is expected to last through the second week of October.

“You see rutting behavior from the beginning of September to the end of October, but a lot of that is showmanship among the bulls,” said Joe Yarkovich, elk management specialist for the Smokies. “The bulls have hormones coursing through their veins. They’re out chasing cows and looking for a fight. The real action is now.”

Knox News

Here are some photos I shot a few years ago during the rut.

On the prowl

Testing the wind

The chase

I came across this amazing series of photos involving and injured Bison and a grizzly inside of Yellowstone National Park on the Outdoor Life Website. The bison had multiple burns over a significant amount of his body probably from an encounter with a geyser or one of the many thermal pools in the area. I’m impressed that the photographer was able to stand his ground and get the shots I’d like to think I could do the same. That had to be a sight to see them rumbling down the road towards you. Check out the photos over at OL and I will warn that some are a bit graphic.

Yesterday we got some much needed rain and while it was falling I happened to notice this hawk hanging out. I believe it is a red shoulder hawk but my bird id is not a strong point for me. So if any of my readers know for sure let me know. This guy hunts in the trees behind the house it is amazing to watch him fly through them with ease. He is also pretty vocal both characteristics of the red shoulder. I’ve got plenty of squirrels around here for him to feed on so he is a welcome sight.

woodduck drake

Not as sharp as I’d like but you can see the limitations of my lens in this shot. We had a great day seeing about 10 or 11 bears total. One real close about 5 or 6 ft when this evening I went out to my truck and it came around the back of my truck. Real issue with bears in and around the houses on the lake. Great to seem them but not good to have one jump out and yell surprise at ya.

Caution in and around bear country is important especially when cubs are around. Give them plenty of space and never get between them and momma.

Whitetail buck

Bear in grain field

Momma Was Hidden in the Brush but this little guy scooted up a tree

This evening we went out looking for bears and found a few. The area I’m at the upload is slow so I’ll post more when I get better access. Sows with cubs seem to be plentiful.

Hang On

Sow Bear