Early Morning Mist

This is another prime example where the quality of an image doesn't mandate whether it will be Blog worthy or not.  Once again  poor quality photos are included because of the story they tell.  These particular images were shot on a particularly foggy Sunday morning.  Fog and beautiful sunsets are two things that I just don't have the ability to predict.  In fact, I'm not sure anyone has that ability.  The way I work around that is to not worry about it.  If an evening sunset turns out to be vibrant and beautiful we enjoy it to the fullest.  In the case of fog, I can't change it, I can't worry about it and it won't stop me from pressing the shutter release. In fact I am finding more and more that I'm embracing it and amazed by it.  Sure it doesn't make for the sharpest of images but the images left in my mind are priceless.  My advice is to get out there on a foggy morning and as the fog clears just watch nature unfold before your eyes.  Those sights and sounds won't soon be forgotten.

On this early foggy morning I found myself sitting in the middle of a large herd of elk.  Since I was there when the fog began to lift the animals didn't seem bothered by me.  I on the other hand was a bit concerned by how close I was to an enormous bull. As the fog lifted I became aware of the identity of this large bull.  Sure enough this was "Ear Hook" probably the toughest bull on the hill.  The day before he had done battle in this same field and I would imagine some of the  cows present today were the result of yesterdays battle.  He's a huge intimidating animal with a very noteworthy characteristic.  He's got one tine on his left side that curls around in front of his ear.  That would be an awesome find come shed time.  We'll be looking for it for sure.

The other thing that stood out on this foggy morning was the sight of a small calf with the herd.  This calf was way too small for this time of the year.  I come to learn that this calf was born in mid August which is quite late in the year.  We hope he's strong enough to endure a hard winter.  I shot a few pictures that really show the contrast between Ear Hook and the baby.  We call this Big and Little.  I'm sure you'll see why.  One of the images show what I like to think as the family with Daddy, Mommy and the little guy.  While I'm not certain if that cow mothered this calf, she sure seemed to keep an eye on it.

The final picture shows a head shot which really gives you a grasp of how he got his name.  Hope you enjoy Ear Hook, Momma and baby.