Atsushi Sugimoto
Whitehorse, CA
Member since April 10, 2020
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Same moment in the longest migration
On the long migration of Porcupine Caribou which is said as one of the longest migrating animal in the world, they surrounded me in snow fall. I've been waiting for their spring and fall migration in Yukon Territory for 10 years. I always remember someone's expression that hitting thousand's of them is like one of seventh wonder of the world every time I miss bunch of them since I started waiting for them. This scene must be same since thousands years ago. Their fall migration seems being late in my sight for this 10 years. Finally my dream came true as tons of caribou surround me, but it became winter migration when I took this image. But I was still so happy being surrounded by them which are growing number herd in the sad situations of many herds are decreasing in North America. I hope they keep health of heard forever, myself have same opportunities again and other herds grow back again close future.
Danger crossing towards calving
Porcupine caribou is known as one of the longest migrating animal in the world. This pregnant female which has been keeping antlers during winter until after givibg birth for its protection (usually non pregnant female and male loose antlers after fall for saving energy for survival in poor food duration in winter) swims among of big ice chunks flowing in river current. Part of their spring migration going towards calving ground for giving birth.
Threatening with big attachment
Big Black Bear threatened me cruising up river from beach one spring day of May in the Arctic Yukon. The bear was holding this caribou carcass there. It might be killed by this bear or die accidentally when it was crossing river as part of spring migration. It was too late to know the drama what happened between them. The carcass was eaten most of it already but still had some meat to eat even this bear seemed full. I wasn't sure when this bear hunted or found this caribou, how long this guy took to eat big amount of meat, almost one caribou. The bear had stayed and attached this dead caribou during I was observing in spite of wolf was hiding and aiming meat in the bush behind of the bear. Unfortunately, the wolf couldn't be taken pictures like a ghost.