Monday, September 3, 2007

Denali animal stories number 2: Animals from the bus


Many people imagine that Denali is like a scenic petting zoo, but it is not. Since private vehicles are not allowed to drive in the park, you travel to view the wildlife by hiking or taking the bus. Once loaded on the bus, you are surrounded by other wildlife watchers and their mountains of gear: lunches snacks, binoculars, hats, rain gear, walking sticks, and cameras so large that each require its own seat. The bus lurches down a one lane, gravel road with nada a guard rail and opportunities to gaze down an 800 foot drop. Once an animal or a rock pretending to be an animal is spotted, the entire busload squeezes to the windows on that side, frantically snapping their cameras. Usually the creature is far far away and with a high power lens you can identify that has legs. Can you find the mountain sheep in this picture?

No comments: