Here are more photographs from the trip to Pennsylvania's Northwoods earlier this week. For more photos from this trip, check the previous post.
While elk often feed in the meadows in early morning and late evening, they ordinarily spend the rest of the day in the woods.
The animals spend most of the day resting, but periodically move about and feed. Sometimes they rub their antlers or other body parts against trees and saplings.
While he sometimes made antler contact with the sapling this bull mostly rubbed his head and neck against it.
This bull was quite the warrior in the rut last fall as two of the points on the right antler just above the head are broken.
For more Camera Critters photographs, click Here!
huge rack
ReplyDeleteNice shots. He should be loosing that head gear soon. Maybe you can score one of the drops since you frequent this location. Blue Skies.
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures!
ReplyDeleteThere are elk "issues" in my home. Hubby thought he'd seen a moose in Yellowstone a couple years back. He was SO excited! After we got home and were looking at the pictures, we realized it was an elk.
Not too long after, we Googled "best place to see a moose" and took off for trip to Vermont, NH and Maine. He still hasn't seen one. ;)
Wow! never seen a real one of that yet. i guess i am scared of them because of their huge crown. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy week-end!
Here's Hogan:
http://www.midlifedancing.com/2009/02/camera-critters-feb-28.html
They are magnificent animals and among other things deserve the best photographer to take their picture -- you.
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive animal! I wished I met one in Norway when we were there! Great pictures and instructive post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful animal.
ReplyDeleteHello again Willard.
ReplyDeleteThat bull in the last photo has that look on his face--almost like a human getting a backscratch. :)
How awesome to get to photograph these!
ReplyDeleteSandy took the words right right of my mouth! Those antlers really are huge.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always Willard.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
My post is at Carletta’s Captures.
Great shots! I love the light in the last one. I understand why they spend most of the day in the woods, you can hardly spot them there. Wonderful post :-)
ReplyDeleteWow it seems like you got really close to them! Have you ever had a close call? i think I might be afraid of him...
ReplyDeleteTink *~*~*
Now Playing at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* :
The unfortunately named peacock at Disney and Busch Gardens
Great shots Bro!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what you can tell about an elk by looking at its rack, Willard. I wonder how they stay warm in winter if they mostly take it easy.
ReplyDeleteThese particular animals are used to humans and are not aggressive, except it pays to keep a very respectable distance from them during the mating season and would should always be careful to not intrude to closely on their personal space.
ReplyDeleteAs for keeping warm, their hair has superb insulating quality, plus they spend as much time as possible in areas sheltered from the wind and where the sun hits during the daylight hours.
Elks are one of my most favorite animals. These photos are impressive, thank you.
ReplyDeleteWillard: Now that is the PA woods I'm used to seeing deer. You made some neat captures of the Elk in the wooded habitat.
ReplyDeletethey're magnificent!!
ReplyDeletethe 2nd picture is great. love the rack.
ReplyDeleteYour photos of them leave me amazed! And I especially liked seeing them itch themselves - lol!
ReplyDeleteLook at that massive rack. Incredible. He indeed is a huge warrior and you have showcased him beautifully...Thomas
ReplyDeleteThe snow is melting, soon the bulls will loose their antlers and the spring shots will start to sprout. What a wonderful time of year for man and animal. Food will be plentiful for them, they can rest after rutting and soon the babies will be bounding around. Ah!! Got to love it!!
ReplyDeleteI like the "battered warrior." I'm glad they're not at war now. I think it would be difficult to watch them as closely as you do. I'd want to help them all, which I know makes no sense at all and is not good for them.
ReplyDeleteHi Willard...
ReplyDeleteI wish I had the time to call here daily as I used to.....
These are stunning captures for sure.... keep up this good work you are doing for the blog and the Elk..
Tom
You always have the best photos! I haven't been able to get to Benezette for way too long, so thanks for keeping me updated on the herd.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always, Willard. I especially enjoy the back scratcher. Getting at an itch on your back is one of life's great pleasures.
ReplyDelete