Wildlife in Photography

Weekday evenings are usually a good time to scan for wildlife in Shenandoah National Park, simply because not as many people are in the park and many animals are most active.

Thursday I set out for Big Meadows, where I frequently visit, but since I enter from Route 33, in the middle of the park, I have a 15 mile drive north to the meadow. I love the drive up on Skyline Drive because I am able to go nice and slow and frequently find things to photograph without even having to hike.

At 4:15, shortly before the Hensley Hollow overlook, a bear crossed my path and I was able to make a few frames before he lumbered up the hill. I’ll write more in depth another time about my past experiences with bears, but I’ve seen several dozen in a variety of ways since starting this project.

Today’s bear was on the larger side. I don’t think he’ll make the cut for the book, but he’s still an interesting guy to look at. He was rather bulky and that should serve him well when hibernation rolls around. Read the rest of this entry »