Loons, lynx, black bears... and the king of the forest: the Alaskan moose.

Introduction - The man behind the lens

Rick Libbey, affectionately known as The MooseMan by the wildlife and nature-loving community, is much more than a photographer. He's a living legend, a messenger of the great outdoors, a craftsman of light. For over forty years, he has traveled remote roads, paddled sleepy lakes and braved extreme conditions to capture a single moment of pure beauty.

Through his lens, Rick not only shows the grandeur of moose. He opens a portal to the inner peace that only nature can offer. His life, however, goes far beyond the iconic image of a moose with gigantic antlers. It's the story of a man transformed by the wild, of a discreet philosopher guided by respect for the living.

"Over 40 years ago, a good friend invited me to a remote camp in northern Maine. Little did I know that this escapade would change my life."

Today, Rick Libbey has become a mentor, a protector of the wild world, a man whose passion has transformed the way thousands of people look at nature.

The origins of MooseMan

Rick's story begins in a simple but instructive setting: a region dotted with dense forests and crystal-clear lakes. As a child, he explored the woods, his boots full of mud, his heart wide open. While other children marveled at cartoons, Rick found happiness in the song of a blackbird or the track of a deer in the damp earth.

His days were punctuated by hikes, fishing trips and canoe expeditions on misty lakes. These early experiences forged an intimate relationship with nature. He remembers the thrill of spotting an animal in the distance, the serenity of silence just before dawn, the breath of wind in the pines. This was his world, his sacred playground.

And yet, it would take that famous invitation to northern Maine, many years later, for this passion to turn into destiny.

The trigger for a wild vocation

One day, in his twenties, while managing a health food store, Rick received an invitation to spend some time at a remote camp in northern Maine. The roads there are rugged, sometimes impassable, requiring chainsaws and portages.

But what he discovers exceeds his expectations: an untouched world, a silent lake, majestic moose. It's here that he catches his first glimpse of a moose feeding. The moment triggers something profound.

He understands that this vision cannot remain a hazy memory. He needs a camera. And so begins Rick's story behind the lens.

His wife, Libby, likes to say that moose taught him how to photograph. In these humble beginnings, with modest equipment, Rick learned patience, discretion and presence.

One day, without even looking, he sells his first picture of a moose. This trivial gesture became a seed of dreams.

The birth of a legend

Rick returns to the same Maine camp every year. There he meets an iconic moose: Pot Belly. A quiet female who trusts him to the point of leaving her young close to him while she feeds.

Little by little, the locals began to talk about "the man who always finds the moose". The nickname MooseMan is born, carried by the mouths of others, until it becomes his true identity.

In 2004, he launched his own company, The MooseMan. Four years later, he quit his job for good, devoting himself entirely to wildlife photography.

Up to 40 exhibitions a summer, calendars, framed prints, discussions with enthusiasts... The MooseMan is becoming a reference. And yet, Rick remains true to his essence: moose first.

"They taught me everything I know. I owe what I have become to them."

The art of respectful photography

For Rick, wildlife photography is not an image hunt, but a communion. He often repeats that the secret lies in patience and respect.

There's no question of approaching suddenly. He observes, waits, reads the signs. If a moose shows the slightest sign of stress, he immediately withdraws. This principle applies to all the animals he photographs: black bears, loons, lynx...

His pictures exude an authentic peace. Each animal is captured in its natural element, in an almost meditative calm.

Summer and early autumn are their preferred periods. In Maine, moose feed in shallow ponds. In Alaska, autumn is rutting season: bulls clash, velvet antlers, low-angled light. Rick documents each phase with sensitivity and precision.

A day with Rick Libbey

It's barely dawn. The lake is still dark, the mist gently rising. Rick silently slides his kayak into the water. This is often how his day begins.

Not a word, just the splash of the paddle and the distant cry of the loon. He moves forward, slowly, observing. Sometimes, a moose appears noiselessly, looming like a shadow between the reeds. Other days, he waits for hours without seeing anything.

But for Rick, it's never a waste of time. Nature soothes him. It refocuses him. He refers to this inner peace as the real secret behind his best photos.

Among his most vivid memories, he recounts the curious calf that approached his kayak, while his mother calmly watched. Or that summer's night in Alaska, when a moose appeared near him in the golden light of dusk.

MooseMan's impact on the community

From the moment he sold his first photo, Rick understood that his images touched something deep in people. In 2004, he officially launched his business. Every summer, he takes part in dozens of craft fairs and shows.

His kiosk becomes a meeting point. People come to buy a photo, but often leave with a story. Rick answers questions, talks about threats to moose, shares his knowledge.

His photos are used in books, calendars and educational brochures. Conservation organizations ask him for visuals to raise public awareness.

Without even trying, he becomes an ambassador for moose and their ecosystems. And his voice counts.

Philosophy of a man of the woods

For Rick, photography is a spiritual practice. It's about listening, gratitude, solitude and humility.

He often speaks of the invisible bond he feels with animals. He sees himself not as an outside observer, but as a guest in their world.

Every day in the field is a lesson: in animal behavior, in light, in patience, but also in himself.

"Sometimes I just need silence," he says.

This need for solitude is reflected in his photos. There's a restraint, a respect, a peace that can't be invented.

MooseMan's heritage and future

Today, Rick has lightened his schedule. Fewer shows, more time in the field. Every summer, he returns to Maine. Every fall, he heads to Alaska. This year marks his tenth consecutive season.

He shares his knowledge with those he meets: advice, anecdotes, philosophy. He doesn't give formal lessons, but those who meet him leave changed.

His website and digital platforms distribute his work around the world. And he dreams that his images will inspire young people to get out, explore, feel.

Rick hopes the moose will be around for generations to come. That the lakes will remain silent. That the dawns will still be golden. And that someone, somewhere, will be paddling softly, watching.

✨ The call of the MooseMan

Today, The MooseMan continues to amaze nature lovers the world over.

With over 96,000 subscribers on its YouTube channel and a community of 509,000 enthusiasts on Facebook, Rick & Libby share the magic of the wild every day.

His images are not mere clichés, and his videos are not mere films. They are fragments of emotion, windows onto silence, slowness and the essential.

🌲 Join the adventure.
🌅 Glide your kayak across a tranquil lake.
👀 Look for the glint of wood in the reeds.
And remember: the beauty of the world awaits you... in its wildest corners.