Flowering Trees, Wildflowers, and Waterfalls are Going Strong

Horned Violets, Ponca Wilderness

Waterfall photo fans often use flowering trees to improve compositions. Red Buds, Serviceberry,
Wild Cherry, and Wild Plum trees are now peaking.

Early wildflowers are also peaking.  This year the bloom is very strong due to ideal rain conditions. Don't miss it.

The water table is still high so waterfalls are flowing well.

I would say this is the best year in many years for all these things coming together.

This weekend is also perfect for floating and hiking.  Get here now. The magic of the early spring season is upon us and this is an exceptional year.

11/24/13 Elk Locations & Report

The bitter cold of this morning is only now abating. This morning, while there were no elk herds to be seen, there were quite a few bulls scattered around.

These conditions will flip pretty soon, they always do. I am visiting the valley less now, but still 3 or 4 times a week.

No need for a map today.  If you visit just check the whole valley. A herd could pop out -- they are not very far away.

Godzilla Steering His Herd

Bull elk steer their harems away from danger. This was taken a bit later when Godzilla had had enough of me and it was time to move his herd.

Compositions usually have negative space in front of a moving subject, in this case it is behind. This is because in these steering movements, the bull pivots toward the last cow as he walks back and forth moving them toward the tree line in this case.

Herd Bull Turning His Harem

11/11/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Elk viewing was good this morning, especially at the Ponca access with a herd lingering in the northernmost field until about 9 AM. Elsewhere in the valley were small herds and scattered animals.

The elk are clearly being impacted by deer hunters. When you visit be very aware while driving, the animals are nervous and many are feeding along the roadsides.

The big bull herd is in the middle valley area. These are the big boys that will provide great photos for months to come as you can see in my December 2012 photos. This is the emerging late rut pattern. There are still rutting bulls, and the possibility of a bull fight still exists but it is fading.

Herd Bull Tiny Forks Bugling at Surise 11/10/13

This is the herd bull "Tiny Forks" bugling in the field just south of the 43/21 intersection. This herd stayed in the field until about 8 AM. To get a good look at them you needed to arrive around 7 AM. 

Herd Bull Tiny Forks and His Harem

Buffalo National River is Open

The park is open. Operations should return to normal today.

The park staff are removing barriers today as quickly as they can and reopening facilities.  Cars are already filling the parking lots at the trail heads.

Re-Opening Passed Senate, In House Now, Obama to Sign Immediately Tonight if Possible

We could have government re-opened tonight. The house is now debating the bill, and there should be a vote tonight. Obama has pledged to sign the bill as soon as it is passed by the House.

I think the park re-opens tomorrow if Obama signs the bill tonight.  We shall see.  Obama speech tonight, I won't be watching it.  I think the ordeal of this closing is over.

Update on theTimetable for Re-Opening of Buffalo National River

Capitol Hill Correspondent Kelley O'Donnell has quoted House Speaker Boehner as stating government will re-open tomorrow.

The timetable for the votes is this.  The vote on the compromise bill in the Senate will take place between 5 and 8 PM tonight, the bill will then go House Rules Committee for 1 hour of debate, then taken to the floor for a final vote this evening. It is expected to pass tonight.

Many different sources are confirming the decision to re-open the government will be made tonight.

If remarks from Speaker Boehner are correct, our Buffalo National River might re-open tomorrow or Friday.

I have no way to contact the park and confirm a timetable at this time, but will tomorrow if we have passage tonight as predicted.

Park to Re-Open -- House and Senate On Track for Agreement Today

The government default appears to be resolved and the Buffalo National River should re-open within days.

I don't have any more details at this point, but it is clear the political deal has been struck and should pass today barring any last minute disruption.

There was some concern yesterday that passage of the continuing resolution and extension of the debt ceiling would be blocked by parliamentary maneuvers in congress.   Clearer minds prevailed and the crisis appears to be averted.

How this translates specifically to our Buffalo National River re-opening I don't know.  The NPS website, nps.gov, is closed due to the shut down.  I don't think it will take very long to get things underway -- hopefully by the weekend.

Details to follow as more information is available.

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

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.

Kenny's Barn

Fall landscapes are not just about color, but also about fog.  This is Kenny's Barn at the south end of  Boxley Valley in the Smith Creek field.  These photos are very long tonal range photos, and ideal for HDR strategies. I did this one straight up in RAW, but I will revisit it in fall color, now just a couple of weeks off and coming fast.

Kenny's Barn

10/5/13 Frontal Change Late, 10 Degree Drop

The frontal change this morning came 10 hours later than predicted, but now has passed dropping temperatures 10 degrees in a couple of hours.  Elk like cool, wet weather so viewing should improve significantly today and certainly tomorrow.  This is the beginning of  the true fall weather we have been waiting for after a period of unseasonably warm weather.

This morning elk viewing was not so good as elk head for cover in advance of a storm.  I expect it to improved steadily over the next few days.

The herd bull "Little Tine" appeared with his harem down by the 43/21 intersection.  The diffused group down by the Buffalo on the south end was visible.  The bull did make a brief appearance if you got lucky.  Stragglers elsewhere.

10/2/13 Elk Herd Locations & Report

Elk viewing conditions have improved steadily now for 3 days, but there is room for more improvement.  I expect a herd to return to the Ponca field by the weekend.

This morning there were 3 herds visible in the valley starting from just north of the mill pond and south to around the Buffalo River.  The herd at the 43/21 intersection was back at the edge of the field.  North of the mill pond, and down by the river at the south end were the best viewing.

The closing of the Buffalo National River park does not affect elk viewing.  This morning there were at least 15 cars of elk watchers.  If you were planning to combine a hike with your visit, the Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) trail is open, as is the Smith Creek Preserve trail (http://smithcreekpreserve.com).

Predicted much cooler weather should improve the elk viewing by the weekend.

10/1/13 Elk Viewing Unaffected by Buffalo National River Closures

All the best elk viewing along Highways 43 and 21 in Boxley Valley is not impacted by the park closure.

The Buffalo National River has closed all river activities until further notice. If you camp to watch the elk, there are affordable private campgrounds in the upper river area.  Visit http://buffaloriverchamber.com for a directory of camping and lodging businesses.

This blog will keep you updated on the status of the park closing.