Grief

This is the saddest moment I have ever captured as a wildlife photographer. I actually couldn't edit this image or some time. Not too long before this image was taken, this cow Moose had lost her calf. The calf was hit by a car and left in the middle of the highway, but moved by another photographer. My friend and I came upon her a few hours later calling for her calf, the anguish palatable. Tears were filling my eyes as I tried to capture this moment. I could see the grief in her eyes as she looked for calf. We stayed a safe distance from her to make sure she did not become a causality as well, stopping cars as the crested the hill. I have seen too much wildlife killed on our roads, but this will haunt me for the rest of my life. It is important to capture these moments, hoping to share and educate, and perhaps saving a life. Highways and roads cut through their habitat and we need to be more aware of this and slow down and give wildlife a brake.