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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!
 MooseMan breaks the old record!
"Back in 1984, I had located 11 moose at once…all within 100 feet of my canoe. That record stood for many years, once in 2006 I had 8 moose in front of me. But one night at dusk in 2009, I saw a bunch of moose feeding together on the opposite end of the pond from where I'd seen the 11 moose 25 years before….As I paddled closer, I began to count, I started getting excited when I got over 10 and as luck would have it, there were 12 moose all feeding together that evening. This was certainly a moose-watcher's dream encounter."
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History & Camera Gear
 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.
Rick Libbey, The MooseMan
 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 D800 and D300 Digital Cameras
-Nikon V1 Mirrorless Camera
Nikon FT-1 Adapter for V-1 and BIG GLASS
-Nikon F100 AF cameras w/MB-15 Battery Packs
-Nikkor 300mm F2.8 EDIF AF-S VR lens
-Nikkor EDIF AF-S VR 70-200mm F2.8G
-Nikkor ED AF-S 16-85mm VR (vibration reduction) lens
-Nikkor 50mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.8 Lenses
-Nikon TC17e Teleconverter (AF-S II version)
-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
-SandiskExtremeIII 4GB 45MB memory cards
-Lexar Pro 400X CF cards
-Sandisk Extreme SDHC Class 10 SD 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
Although I now shoot in digital format; the mix of images in my show booth is a combination of images from Fuji Velvia slide film and the Nikon digital cameras as well.
Accessory gear I also use:
-Native Watercraft Ultimate 12' kayak in camo version
-Alpen Wings 10X 42 ED binos
-Burris 15-45 mm HD spotting scope
-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
"MY APPROACH TO WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS"
My approach is quite unique. I choose to work from a kayak rather than be married to the tripod. After years of working from a canoe, I finally figured it out. I work from a monopod and use wind direction to increase my chance at success. My love of moose and loons has evolved to a place of respect for them. By educating myself on their habits and tendencies I have found a way to work with them peaceably and I simply love it when I get the job done without disturbing them from feeding.
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RICK LIBBEY, THE MOOSE MAN
603-735-5323
All Photographs
 copywrite Moose Man Nature Photos |
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