In october of 2009 I made my second trip to Big Bend National Park.I was on the Windows Trail about one and a half miles downhill from the trailhead when I encountered a couple of bear cubs feeding on acorns in a gully next to the trail.Well I flubbed the shot as my SS was under an eighth of a second.I sat down and adjusted my iso to 1250 hoping the cubs would come back.To my left I heard something and saw a cougars tail coming out of the mesquite brush along the trail.I watched it disappear into the mesquite and waited.Soon I saw her coming my way.As she was moving to the right,I was moving to the left to catch her in an open spot.She stopped and gazed at me and I took 5 shots before she moved on.I was so relieved she continued on but soon had a male cougar walking past me from 5 feet away not making any eye contact.Very shook up,I headed up the hill faster than a 20 year-old(I'm 59).I then heard a scream that sounded like a woman was attacked downhill from me.Later,the rangers at Panther Junction filled me in after looking at my images on my camera.This is a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy.
You took super photos and tell a scary story Dennis. I’ve been on that trail and there are not a lot of places to go in a situation like that. I hope the woman was only scared and not attacked and injured.
morris wrote:
You took super photos and tell a scary story Dennis. I’ve been on that trail and there are not a lot of places to go in a situation like that. I hope the woman was only scared and not attacked and injured.
Morris
Thanks Morris
The scream I heard was from the female cougar when the male retracts from her as he is barbed.
I always dream of that encounter! We have Cougars around here, and I am told to be careful, which I am, but like you, that is what wildlife shooting is all about! The real deal! Your adrenaline must have been pumping like crazy! Great shot under the pressure! So different than the usual....
I was just reading about the attacks in this area, and the head ranger believes the biker that died was not attacked after all. [A different opinion than the local news]. He said the hiker may have died earlier after a heart attack. And the girl attacked after that a few days later had gotten too close to his prey and he was protecting it, she getting too close to his saved meal. Interesting reads. I always think that my lens could do some real damage, so it suffices as a weapon if needed, including a monopod. I feel vulnerable without them!
Close encounter of an incredible kind. You followed my cardinal rule of photography in the wild....."First take the pictures then get help"....seriously, that is a harrowing story and I and am sure others are happy that you are around to tell it. Fortunately, the male was more concerned about passing on his genes then a quick meal. You really don't want to be one of those people they show on "I shouldn't be alive"....
Oh, and by the way...great photo under any circumstance...a shutter speed of 1250 must have been just right to counter a heart rate of 150 and shaking hands!
Thanks for sharing these!
Eric
eyelaser wrote:
Close encounter of an incredible kind. You followed my cardinal rule of photography in the wild....."First take the pictures then get help"....seriously, that is a harrowing story and I and am sure others are happy that you are around to tell it. Fortunately, the male was more concerned about passing on his genes then a quick meal. You really don't want to be one of those people they show on "I shouldn't be alive"....
Oh, and by the way...great photo under any circumstance...a shutter speed of 1250 must have been just right to counter a heart rate of 150 and shaking hands!
Thanks for sharing these!
Eric...Show more →
Thanks eyelaser
I was shooting with high cliffs on each side of me and in low light .The SS was 1/60th sec handheld..
Denis, amazing shots and story, 5 feet holy s#$!@#$. My pants would be emphatically crapped out at 100 feet. What a fantastic experience to have, vicariously. - Randy
These chance close encounters are what we live for. Five feet is too close for photos. 50' is perfect. Those are the moments we never forget. Nice image in #1. Don
Mountain Lions are beautiful and you did great keeping your cool. I always wondered if
I would want to encounter one or not. We've had people pulled off their mtn. bikes and killed down here.
I'm glad no one was injured and you came away with great shots and something you won't ever forget.
Never get tired of seeing these shots Dennis!! Really good work!
Evidently the drought has brought more down into the "basin" from the higher elevations as sightings have increased somewhat & then there was the attack on the youngster by the lodge a couple of days ago.Need to be on our toes in the Acorn pit next time.
Dennis, that is an exciting story and sweet photographs.
You are a much braver man than I am.......I even have fears of getting attacked by Canada geese.
The first shot is super Denis ~ Ron