As the last light fades in the west we rushed to grab a few photos of the local elk herd. We enjoy photographing them in their many stages. At this particular stage they are awesome to look at. The bulls are sprouting new growth and at this point their antlers are rounded and covered in velvet. Each week the growth is quite noticeable. Also at this stage the elk's coat is beautiful and smooth and quite different than the heavy winter coat. One thing is for certain, they are amazing animals irregardless of the time of year.
Excellent photos, Tom. This is a good time of year to be afield in elk country. I really like photographing the calves, and the bulls in velvet. In some ways I like that better than the rut, although I think that in the end I really do prefer September to a certain extent, what with the excitement of the fighting and bugling, but there is really something to be said for some laid back, relaxed, summer elk photography.
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree with you about the coyotes. One would likely get arrested if they intervened in SNP and a ranger saw them, but I know that I would interfere with the coyotes in the case of the local deer herd. It is sort of a conundrum--one likes to see and photograph coyotes, but I am totally turned off by them killing fawns.