While I enjoy photographing any type of elk, whether it be cow, calf, or bull, it is always most interesting to concentrate on what is the most outstanding at a particular time of year. Now elk and deer are physically less attractive than that any other time of year, as they are in the process of shedding the coat from the winter to summer hair and they have a somewhat ragged, disheveled appearance.
The Ragged Winter CoatsThe calves will be born shortly, providing exceptional photographic opportunities, and the other animals will be more photogenic as well, since they will be completely changed to the summer coat.
For now however, the bulls are of primary interest, but they were hard to find during my recent trip. This changed on Wednesday morning when I encountered a beautiful mature bull and spent well over an hour photographing and filming him.
Mature Bull
17 comments:
Wow! Fantastic! You got good images. Interesting text too.
Fascinating shots! I did not know that elks shed their coat! Interesting post!
Beautiful images Willard. The last one is stunning.
He is gorgeous!!!
Willard: Wonderful capture of the maturing elk, you always make some neat captures.
Majesty, thy name is elk!
Wonderful Willard.
Safari post now up.
Keep an eye up for Dorothy in about 3 weeks when we back from holls.
Just an amazing creature - your photographs were just outstanding!
Excellent captures !!!
I really like that last one ... he's probably quite used to posing for the camera :-)
It looks like there will be some nice bulls to photograph this fall. I hope to make there once before the rut and then spend a few days during the rut.
I would love to see those guys...the head shot of the bull is stunning!
Wow, I really like the last one. I can see the velvet on his antlers.
Whoa!! This image is fantastic... I have yet to see one so beautiful as the one that you have put here.... stunning!
Incredible looking with the velvet. Nice shots Willard.
Gobsmacked
What a find it was to... Hope the new cars coping well... it sure looks as if it will. Thank you for giving me the chance to show off my older pictures. We got another engine fitted into my 1969 land rover a few weeks back.. my health is holding me back on getting it all sorted but hopefully it will be back on the road soon. You will be the first to know...:O)
I would like to know which bull that is. How close to town did you see him?
I'm looking forward to more of your Elk County Trip installments. It is nice seeing photos of a familiar area.
I'm also waiting to see if you got a photo of the "world's greatest elk"!!!
I'm looking forward to seeing the land the way it should be, instead of the strip mine. Great photos.
They do look most untidy when they are shedding their winter fur. :)
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