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          Most memorable Moose moment, June 1984
Just before dusk on a remote lake in Maine:
sitting in a canoe near
the outlet at the far
end of the lake.
In front of me
in various spots from
15 feet to 100 feet
away were eleven
beautiful moose.
There I was....
eleven moose!
all within a hundred feet
of me! It was a moment
I'll never forget!
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The MooseMan's History
 Words From The Moose Man
My journey into the world of moose photography started back in 1981. A life long friend of mine invited me on a trip to Maine to a wilderness lake. I went along with my little Kodak 110 camera. I'll never forget those first moose pictures I got back from the local film lab. The moose were like little brown spots in the middle of the pictures.
Slowly, from then on I tried different photo equipment with some amount of success. But now, looking back: I know the gear wasn't the important part, the passion that developed within me for just being out in the bush country with all the wildlife, but in particular with moose, was slowly but surely becoming a big part of who I am.
By the summer of 2003 it became very clear to me that I have found my true calling. Simply said, it's to be "in the company of moose."
When I am out there in the wilderness with the moose and the other wildlife, I feel it deep inside of me. It is what I am supposed to be doing.
I also love to share my experience with others. Each of my photos has a story to go with it. I call them my "Moose Man Moments in the Wild."
I have over the past few years spent several hundred hours in the company of moose. Sometimes I will spend up to 4 hours with one moose. Encounters usually are much shorter though. On average: moose tend to come out to feed for an hour or so. Peak activity is in the early morning and again at dusk: but they can be very active all day long in the peak feeding months.
I photograph moose mostly in Maine, as well as New Hampshire and Vermont, but plan to visit some other prime moose country very soon. What gives me the most contentment is encountering a moose, settling in with the animal: both admiring and studying all the while, and of course: clicking the shutter and capturing a golden moment in the outdoors.
What's interesting is that every photograph has a story to go with it. I'd be glad to share stories on particular photos anytime. Enjoy the outdoors!
Rick Libbey, The Moose Man
 I'd like to thank my wife Donna for encouraging me to pursue my passion,
and my friends,Chris Flagg, Don Murdock, Andy Atsma,Terry Jackson, Don Fincher and Sonny Grimshaw for helping me along the way. Most of my fondest memories of outdoor encounters were on trips with them.
Also I'd like to express a special thanks to Heather Turner for making
this website possible.
Photographic Equipment that I use:
-Nikon F100 AF cameras w/MB-15 Battery Packs
-Nikon D300 digital cameras
-Nikkor 300mm F2.8 EDIF AF-S auto focus lens
-Nikkor EDIF AF-S VR 70-200mm F2.8G
-Nikkor ED AF-S 18-200mm VR (vibration reduction) lens
-Nikkor 400mm F3.5 EDIF Lens (My workhorse lens for sure)
-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.8 Lenses
-Nikon TC17e Teleconverter (version II)
-Nikon TC14E Teleconverter (Modified for Manual Focus w/400mm F3.5)
-Nikon TC14E Teleconverter (AF-1 for 300mm AF-S auto focus)
-Nikon TC20E Teleconverter (AF-S II version for 300mm AF-S)
I never use any protective filters on any of my glass.
-Gitzo G1325 MK2 Mountaineer Carbon Fiber Tripod legs w/Flat Plate
-Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead w/R.R.S. B-2 Pro Clamp
-Bogen 3249B + 679B (black) Monopods w/R.R.S. Clamps
-The Wimberly Sidekick
-Lens Plates by R.R.S. and Robert Fletcher
-Custom lens plate support system for 800mm f7.0 set-up (400mm f3.5/TC301)
-SandiskExtremeIII 4GB 30MB memory cards
-Kinesis L311 + L511 Long Lens Cases (for big glass with bodies attached)
-Kinesis H250 Harness System (for hiking with big Nikkors + tripod on my back)
-Kinesis C580 Holster Bag, E530 Multi-Lens Pouch + E870 Lg. Lens Pouch
-Kinesis B308 Belt System
-Lowe Pro Mini Trekker Bag
I shoot almost exclusively Fuji Provia 100F Professional Film (occasionally Fuji Velvia 50) I shoot at ISO 100 speed 90% of the time, but when situations call for more speed: I'll "push" a stop to 200 or rarely even 2 stops to 400.
Accessory gear I also use:
-Nikon Action 12 X 50 Binos
-Advantage Timber + Realtree Hardwoods Green Camo clothing
-Cabela's Camoskin face masks and gloves
-Hunter's Specialties Windicator (wouldn't leave home without it)
-Midland GTX444 2-way radio
How I go about photographing moose.
Although the Wimberly Sidekick is becoming a friendly tool for me: I shoot mostly from a monopod with quick release clamp. I shoot the Pro Fuji slide film at 100 speed: but sometimes have to push to 200 speed on overcast days with the big lenses. I often work from a kayak which can get pretty exciting. This method gives me excellent maneuverability and allows me to maintain a safe working distance as well.
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RICK LIBBEY, THE MOOSE MAN
603-735-5323
All Photographs
 copywrite Moose Man Nature Photos |
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