Hunting with Mike

Since I’m on the subject of Colorado I thought I would share with you my prowess when it comes to outdoors photos. I mean a guy with the name of Mike Ansel certainly should have some of the same characteristics as a guy by the name of Ansel Adams! Especially seeing how I “think” like the quarry I’m pursuing! Here’s my story, and I wish I didn’t have to “stick” to it!

While in Colorado, on vacation, we were driving through Rocky Mountain National Park, when I saw a nice mule deer buck about 150 yards off the road. I pulled our car over, and tried to take some pictures with my telephoto lens Minolta. The deer was standing in a small valley, and I told my wife and kids I was going to use my “hunters stealth” and sneak up on this unsuspecting deer. It was just too far away for good close-ups, and I knew my family would be impressed by my stalking abilities.

At the time there were only two other cars parked along the road, and none of them had the primordial hunters instincts like myself (city slickers!) I exited the car hunched over, so I wouldn’t give my outline away! There was plenty of sagebrush for concealment, but it meant low crawling for about 100 yards. It was rough going, as the ground was hard, rocky, and full of prickers. None of this was going to stop me from getting “the shot” of a lifetime, and showing off for family and spectators alike. An opportunity like this doesn’t come along every day, so a few cuts and scrapes were worth it!

I couldn’t believe how smoothly this was going, as the deer had no idea “Daniel Boone” was lurking in the bushes. When the deer looked my way I would “freeze,” until he turned, and then I’d crawl a few more paces. Finally I found myself within 20 yards of this trophy mule deer, as pride welled up within me, for accomplishing such a feat! I was poised to start snapping pictures (like Ansel Adams,) when I heard a commotion behind me! I turned my head, and couldn’t believe my eyes! There standing directly behind me was a group of Japanese tourist, plus a few others, camera shutters going to beat the band. They were making more noise than a barn full of chickens, as they focused their cameras and laughed. I’m sure much of that laughter was directed at the “fool” that crawled 100 yards over treacherous terrain, while they walked just yards behind me.

You talk about feeling like a “moron!” I decided to stand up like everyone else, and tried to blend into the scenery, as I snapped a few shots of my own. I honestly believe we might of been able to “pet” that less than wild old deer, but I wasn’t going to do it. I’d already impressed my family enough for one day! Ansel Adams would of been proud of me-”Not!”

Mike

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 19th, 2008 at 11:29 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.