Uninvited Dinner Guest [Explore]

In previous posted Denali images, I have mentioned the full-day Kantishna experience bus tour. This episode is a key reason why.

 

Although from a photographer's perspective, shooting from a bus full of tourists isn't ideal, the opportunity to see caribou, moose, grizzlies, and even lynx is unsurpassed.

 

Probably the most elusive mammal in Denali, the Canadian lynx predominantly preys on snowshoe hares, squirrels and ptarmigan. But, in this instance, when hyperphagia has its grips on the grizzlies, you can’t blame the lynx for doing the calculations on one of the two cubs near this sow.

 

None of these animals are the least bit interested in the busload of tourists behind them by about 100'. It's August and snow will come soon, meaning it's time to consume as many calories as possible before the lean months until the following spring. Within a couple of moments of this image, the sow picked up the scent of the lynx and went to investigate. The cubs hesitantly followed her, and the lynx disappeared....only to reappear again, coming from the brush where the most prominent of the two cubs in this image can be seen. During our brief stop to observe all of this, no interaction between the predators occurred, but I often wonder if the lynx ever plucked up more courage or decided the better option was to find something more manageable and less risky.

 

Congrats on Explore!

#195 ⭐ September 21, 2021

Done