10/11/14 Elk Bugling Strong this Morning by Ponca

There are 2 rutting bulls with abou 40 cows total near the Ponca Access at the north end of Boxley Valley. In addition, there were 3 or 4 large satellite  bulls hanging around. All 6 bulls were bugling and fussing over the cow elk. The bugling was over by 10AM. I am certain this evening and tomorrow morning will be good for elk viewing and bugling. With all those bulls there is a good chance for a bull elk fight. The Smith Creek field on the south end was empty this morning. On high river levels sometimes herds seem to be blocked from visiting the fields where they can be seen.  This might be true in the south end of Boxley Valley.

Satellite Bull on Highway 21 @ Buffalo National River

This little Bull Elk is tracking a herd of cow elk in the 2014 elk rut. It is normal now for bull elk to start coming to Boxley Valley as the elk rut heats up. He will not be a herd bull, he is too small. He is a satellite-class bull and will hang around the edge of a herd intent on picking up cows that stray. According to biologists, these bulls breed more than the dominant bulls that control the herds. 

Be careful now if you visit Boxley Valley, these satellite bulls can show up at any time, they have 1 thing on their mind, and it is not traffic safety. 

12/28/13 Elk Herd Location Map

Very good elk viewing this morning. The biggest herd was down by Smith Creek in the south end, numbering roughly 50 animals and still showing a rutting pattern with a herd bull.

North of the mill pond about a half mile was a pretty good sized bull herd. To see them I recommend getting to the valley early, they seem to leave before 9 am.

A handful of young bulls were up by the Ponca Access.

Herd Bull "Chaos" Rutting by Smith Creek

It's pretty late but the herd bull "Chaos" was rutting this morning. You can see the sod tossed to the right, and grass on his antlers. His herd was down by Smith Creek this morning and had roughly doubled to about 50 animals overnight.

Late Rutting Bull by Smith Creek

JYD November 2013

Nothing like the end of the rut to get big bull shots. A little steam too. He is still rutting and bugling.  I got within 30 yards of him today. Pretty much had the valley to myself this morning.

JYD November 2013

Roadside Bulls More Common Now -- Drive Carefully

Small roadside bulls like this one are feeding on the roadsides, and sometimes on the banks. Drive slowly in Boxley Valley. They are spooked now by the gun shots in deer season.

I shot this little guy at about 10 yards right out my car window. He seems pretty small compared to the full sized herd bulls, but he is still 5-600 pounds. Nothing you want to hit with a car or truck.

Small Bull Elk on Roadside 43/21 Intersection

The Boxley Stud and a Shag December 18 Last Year

The best bull pictures are ahead from now until the end of March. This picture is from last year on December 18, over a month from now. As I have said a few times before, the best bull elk photography is ahead. If you want big bull pictures, it is easier after the rut starts winding down.

This particular shoot was one of my memorable ones, the kind of days you don't forget. Great light, great bull, and plenty of chances. The frost made getting details in his neck easy. I had the place to myself.

Remember this. The bull elk don't drop their antlers until around April 1. If you are serious about wanting some amazing elk shots we are now entering the very best time of the year. This will be when you get your trophy shots.

The Legendary Boxley Stud Bull Elk (and Shag Elk)

10/24/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

This morning there were 2 herds like yesterday and in the same locations.  The Ponca herd continues to be pretty predicable now for many days, and viewing has been good in the morning and evening for a while.

The second herd is an all-bull herd down by the 43/21 intersection. The all bull herd will move around a lot in that field and the next one south.  There are about 8 bulls in it.

Viewing is extended in this cool weather, but early and late viewing is the most reliable. Be sure to check the whole valley on each visit.

There are a lot of whitetail deer moving around because of hunting. Be alert to them on roadsides.

Bull Elk Prepare for Next Hunt

A number of bulls have not been seen this year so far. There are many different explanations, but many were seen in velvet and seem to be hiding in the woods, or perhaps they are in disguise. 

Rumor has it that Game and Fish has conducted top secret workshops for certain elk that show particular talent as models for elk tourism. Could this photo be of one of these elk? 

Officials could not be reached for comment on this story. 

Will He Be Recognized?

Unknown Photographer Shooting Hooks in the Fog

Unknown photographer in the fog shooting Hooks just south of the Buffalo on the south end of Boxley Valley.  You won't get closer to a good bull than this.  Morning fog is challenging, but it lifts.  In the afternoon shoots, light is usually ample, and in some cases it is very interesting. 

Unknown Photographer Shooting Hooks

5x5 Satellite Bull Crossing 21 -- Safety During the Rut

The big boys are joining the rut. When you least expect it, they run across the road this time of year.  Drive carefully, they are kind of distracted.  Try to keep you speed under 40 MPH.

Crossing 21 Near the Buffalo, South Valley

Satellite Bull by the Buffalo River, South End

While Ed Porter and I were talking after shooting Hooks for a couple of hours, a big satellite bull popped into Hook's field, perhaps in front of the herd after it sought out some water.  This nice bull has a heavy rack and is reasonably good as a subject.  Big bulls like this one are one step away from being herd bulls.  One will often see them running a harem in the early and late rut, but generally speaking they are not quite large enough yet to be dominant bulls. 

One of the signs of the rut is that bulls run along the river to find herds of cow elk. This is the basis of challenges and fights.  Seeing this bull when we did confirms that the rut is in top gear now.  We witnessed the same thing last evening in Ponca.  

Satellite Bull by Buffalo South End

10/10/13 Elk Herd Location Map & Report

There were 3 main locations to see elk this morning. The herd in the Ponca fields was holed up in the second field down from the access.  A second herd was tucked in the south corner of the 43/21 field.  The third and most visible small herd was led by the herd bull Hooks who was very cooperative again.  There was very heavy fog this morning, but elk viewing extended well past when it lifted.

I expect the Ponca field to be good tonight, and it remains teed up for a fight. There are many bull there so unless the current herd moves off to a back field expect to hear a lot of bugling. New bulls are now moving along the river to join the rut.  Fights about anytime.

If photos are what you seek, go to the south end and visit Hooks.  He is a very nice bull and for the time  being at least is pretty cooperative. You can get pretty great closeups there.

Hooks in Pasture 10/10 AM

I don't take too many pasture shots, but this morning Hooks was right there offering 2 road crossings and plenty of poses on both sides of the road. After sorting through my images, I ended up with about 100 that I liked.  This is the first one I processed.

This is a fine bull and he is very photo-cooperative, now for almost 2 weeks. He is down by the Buffalo River at the south end. This opportunity will not last forever, so if you are collecting photos of big elk, Hooks should be on your 2013 list.

A couple of small points about field shots of bulls. It is better if they are facing you just slightly angled off like this picture.  Sharp focus on the eyes is important. Ears forward is perhaps best and slightly up like this. Note his front legs are crossed showing some movement.  He is coming right for you.  All these small things add up.

Hooks in Pasture by the Buffalo River

Hooks at Last Light 10/9/13

Made the evening shift tonight in Boxley Valley.  While everyone else was waiting by Ponca for the evening show (and it happened), I was alone waiting for Hooks who I felt certain had bedded down near his morning feeding area.  My patience was rewarded, and I got a nice shoot in evening light. This is one of my favorite images.

Hooks at Last Light

Think Creatively About Head Shots

Here are 2 different elk head shots of Hooks taken just a couple of minutes apart.  I want to talk about getting outside the box a bit in your elk compos and shooting something besides elk standing sideways in a whole body shot.  In this case it is about getting in close for head and shoulder shots.

Pretty Standard Head Shot -- Note Eye Detail, It Matters

Tip #1  There are lots of ways to shoot elk besides frame filling whole body shots.  If you get in close you can capture some emotions in some shots. The eye in Hooks above makes this shot. The limbs on the left are deliberate to break up the space some.  Soft foggy light casts nice reflections on the antlers. 

A Looking Away Head Shot -- Less Standard, Maybe More Interesting

Tip#2   Looking away shots are permitted. This shot sparks my curiosity because I wonder what he is looking at, or even what he is thinking.  If you are an antler fan, this is also usually a better look at the antlers.  Again, soft light casts a sheen on his antlers.  (I suppose if I got fussy with this I would clone that branch away from his nose a bit.)

As you take more elk shots, you will get away from straight ahead standing shots.  Getting in close is a nice way to break up your routine and explore these animals differently.

Hooks in the Fog by the Buffalo River -- 10/9/13

Getting out there is the key to getting the best shots. There is no substitute for determination. Today when I got down to the valley it was really socked in with dense fog.  At the north end I thought it could be a total loss, and I really didn't have time anyway.  As I drove south, the fog was not so dense, and Hooks was right at the roadside ready to pose. 

Thin fog can provide really interesting light.  Hooks provided the pose with a slight head tilt showing some expression, always a key. Partial natural frame, slight up angle, and the background is fogged out of focus.  Something a little different.  Maybe more engaging.  These small things add up. 

Hooks in the Fog by the Buffalo River

Hooks by Tree Line 10/8/13

Hooks was really giving up pictures today.  Often these big guys will not let you get close.  This is a nice looking bull and not too timid.  This was taken in the first field south of the Buffalo River. Hooks has been here for a few days now.

The national park closure has no impact on getting pictures like these.  A number of photographers cashed in on this opportunity.

10/8/13 Elk Herd Location Map

Pretty good elk viewing today.  The big Ponca herd took the day off. There were some stragglers around, but the best viewing was in the south end.

People who arrived early saw Little Tine fairly close to the fence at the 43/21 intersection.  The best viewing was down by the river at the south end where "Hooks" and his small harem were very visible. He was posing in nice light for the many photographers and elk watchers.

There were stragglers elsewhere.  Nutty bull elk behavior is beginning to show. Like 16 year old boys at the dance, it is pretty hard to figure what they might do.  Add a little extra caution when you visit the valley.

Visitors saw 2 bald eagles today down by the south end.  This is pretty early, but I have heard reports that the migration seems to be beginning because of the rough weather up north.  We shall see.

Hooks by Buffalo River This Morning

This morning I had a hunch that Hooks was on the move, and I made a second pass down the valley to investigate. He was moving his harem.  Hooks is the second legitimate herd bull in the valley based on his body and antler mass. He and JYD are large and powerful bulls -- I would like to see that fight.  A fine bull.  Got him in pleasing light.  Second shoot with him this year. 

"Hooks", 2013 Herd Bull