Thursday, October 9, 2008

Pennsylvania Elk: Bulls 8A and 62

For plenty of Pennsylvania Elk photographs see Country Captures, as Salty probably took more still images in 2 1/2 days than I took in nearly two weeks, which was mostly because I concentrated on shooting video. He was with me from Monday, September 27, through mid-day on Wednesday the 29th.

Rutting activity declined after he left and Wednesday evening October 29th was relatively quiet, but during the night a cold front came through and activity resumed with a vengeance although several of the bulls moved from the area where Salty's photographs were taken to a spot about a mile away.

I found bull 8A with a harem in a meadow near the Gilbert Viewing Area. Soon bull 62 arrived and challenged him to a fight. There was several short fights between them, which ended with bull 62 leaving the scene. These shots were taken just before the fight. All of the fight scenes are on video and they are less than ideal as both bulls had numbered collars and also a restricted zone sign is in most portions of the scenes. Oh the beauty of photoshop that it can remove the collars, but I have not figured out how to remove them from video.

Bull 8A

Bull 62

Stay tuned for more elk photographs and more information on the elk film, which will be available for mail order soon and is currently in stock at Benezett Store.

9 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

You did a great job removing the collars. I can't see where they were.

How long is the rutting season?

Willard said...

The rutting season lasts about one month with the most activity occurring over about two weeks. In my opinion it is best from mid- September to early October. The rut is mostly over by Columbus Day and one hears few bulls bugling by that time.

The Birdlady said...

I hope you were usng a l-o-n-g lens...they look MAD. Great photos. Thanks for sharing...

Tommy said...

This is just the best time of the year to view the elk. I have been up to rocky mountain nation park a couple times in Sept and Oct. It has been fun to watch them. I also have elk pics today.

Gretchen said...

Just gorgeous!!! I need to get back there before we leave for Ohio.

Ken Conger Photography said...

Nice elk captures Willard. I was sorry to read about your unfortunate experience below. I'm sure the sportsmen of PA surely do appreciate all you have done for them in in the past!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: What a great job of editing you did. I you hadn't said they were collard no one would know.

Unknown said...

Bull 62 is an amazing catch

Louise said...

I love that you can remove the collars with Photoshop! I know there is video editing software that can do what you want, but I know that I personally don't know what it is or how to use it.

Love the photos here!