I love Elk and this is probably the most beautiful Bull I've ever seen.
Jul 21, 2019 14:51:54 #
Northern California so it's the Roosevelt sub-species. This is close to the coast near an RV Park where we make a point of staying whenever we travel through the area. Notice how all ears are pointing toward the big boy. He's in total control and everyone including the satellite bulls know it. He's very aggressive and not a good idea to get close to him. By the time the Rut is over he will have lost 20-30% of his body weight. For many of the older bulls, especially the ones that live in harsh climates, this will spell the end of the road for them as they enter the winter in bad shape and won't live 'til spring.
Jul 21, 2019 14:59:44 #
Jul 21, 2019 15:09:51 #
bobbyp7714 wrote:
Who's the boss?
The one with the biggest pointy things.
Jul 21, 2019 15:23:39 #
Very nice shots! Saw the first Elk on my property (ever) this morning. A smaller rack than these, but still a big guy. Didn't get a shot as I was busy trying to catch my young idiot Lab who wanted to chase him. Who knows, maybe he'll return.
Jul 21, 2019 15:36:44 #
Jul 21, 2019 15:51:12 #
quixdraw wrote:
Very nice shots! Saw the first Elk on my property (ever) this morning. A smaller rack than these, but still a big guy. Didn't get a shot as I was busy trying to catch my young idiot Lab who wanted to chase him. Who knows, maybe he'll return.
Thank you. I know it's early in the year, he might have some growing to do. Was he still in velvet? My photos came from a couple years ago, later in the year probably September or October.
Jul 21, 2019 15:55:47 #
RichinSeattle wrote:
Wow!!! That's quite a harem the big guy has in the last pic.
Yeah, he defends them all through the Rut against all comers. We could hear the satellite bulls back in the woods bugling. There must have been 4 or 5 of them trying to entice a cow into a dalliance but the Herd Bull wouldn't have any of that.
Jul 21, 2019 16:03:06 #
Jul 21, 2019 16:03:10 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Thank you. I know it's early in the year, he might have some growing to do. Was he still in velvet? My photos came from a couple years ago, later in the year probably September or October.
Just got a quick look through the binocs then out the door after the pup. We have lots of Elk fairly near, but first time I've seen one on my property.
Jul 21, 2019 16:31:41 #
Cany143
Loc: SE Utah
Most of these are about as good a group of shots of elk as I've seen. Whether that's because I prefer to see the habitat of an animal as much as the animal itself, or because I prefer seeing animals behaving in their own natural manner rather than purely as photographic prey, I'm not certain. Whatever, nicely done.
Jul 21, 2019 16:33:41 #
Jul 21, 2019 16:47:16 #
Cany143 wrote:
Most of these are about as good a group of shots of elk as I've seen. Whether that's because I prefer to see the habitat of an animal as much as the animal itself, or because I prefer seeing animals behaving in their own natural manner rather than purely as photographic prey, I'm not certain. Whatever, nicely done.
You know, Cany, that's ironic. It seems like every time I post an animal photo (especially birds) someone says it would be much nicer if I cropped it tighter. And I always argue that I usually prefer an animal in the environment rather than a portrait. You are the ONLY one who has said that's too close! I assure you, this was totally normal behavior. I was fairly close but they didn't know it. I don't purposely get close enough to an animal to affect their behavior except on rare occasions, and with bears, of course. You have to get close to those guys to see their eyes, otherwise what's the point?
Jul 21, 2019 16:51:36 #
Jul 21, 2019 20:03:08 #
Wow, if I’m counting right he’s an 8 x 9. If you count the one that’s broke off. Wonder how he’d score?
Jul 21, 2019 20:08:51 #
GregWCIL wrote:
Wow, if I’m counting right he’s an 8 x 9. If you count the one that’s broke off. Wonder how he’d score?
Yeah, I've counted his points several times and I'm still not sure. I'll bet he would score right up there with the best.
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