Looking Back

Today was an off day for me so I dig around old photos and see if there are any I have missed, or never did anything with.  The photo below is from November 5 a couple of years ago -- proof that great photos are still possible, really for months to come.

This is a river crossing with JYD, a bull still with us and very active in the 2013 rut. Here he is at the end of a river crossing. He is drinking getting ready to bed down. I will never forget this crossing. It included nearly a hundred elk and 3 different herd bulls over a 45 minute period.  You can see the buffalo is a trickle in the bottom of the picture.  The satellite bull is wary of JYD, the 3 cow elk seem to be admiring JYD.  I love the light in this picture.

Taken November 5, 2010

Tips for Elk River Shots & Crossings

Setting up for river shots is pretty simple, but one must be mindful that it is roughly like swinging for home runs -- you will strike out a lot, BUT when you connect with a river shot, you are hooked for life.

The photographer below was heading to one such sitting spot. He was hoping to get elk drinking at the river on the opposite bank. The formula for this is simple. Locate the field where the elk are, get behind them (or beside them) and wait. The will come to the river to drink, and they might cross too if it is possible (or not).

Going for an Elk River Shot

Fall color reflections can easily be brought into these photos. The key here is to locate a great river reflection and locate the elk trail that crosses it. Elk trails are easy to find. Good landscape compos are pretty easy to make. Bring the two together, add elk, and you have it.

Elk River Shots With Fall Reflections Can Be Dramatic

The crossing shot below puts an even finer point on the composition. This elk is cross lit by sunrise light cutting right down the trail toward him. This shot kind of looks impossible, but really it is about time of day, pre-visualization, and moving elk. If there are reflecting pools they add a lot.  

TIP: One thing that makes these photos much easier is that the herd bull is nearly always last when herd moves.  This give you plenty of time to think through your composition, exposure and timing.  You set these up with the cows that precede the bull. In this way, this is nothing like a snap shot, it can be very well planned. In the shot below, at least 20 cows that preceded this bull. They made it easy to get this shot and help me plan the final compo.

Think About Painting with Cutting Light -- Get Creative

11/1/13 Elk Herd Location Map

Great elk viewing last night. Another month and now cold weather. This could significantly change the elk herd patterns.  Outstanding bull with harem last night by the 43/21/ intersection.  Nice elk herd in the Ponca field too.

9/17/13 Cow Elk Crossing the Buffalo National River

Cow elk crossing the Buffalo River to their bedding area.

Cow Elk Heading for their Bedding Area

Tutorial -- Scene from the Rut

If you are going to take great elk photos, you need to understand their behavior. Because I have been taking elk pictures now for many years, I know what to look for, and many of the basic behaviors of Arkansas elk.

This picture was taken a couple of years ago, but I never bothered to process it. This is the very end of a river crossing.

Remember this basic fact. When elk move, virtually all the time the herd bull will be last in line.  He is protecting against bulls that hang around the edges of his harem. This gives you plenty of time to prepare for the bull's arrival. I always use the cows that precede the bull for test shots to get the exposure and composition just right.  Be thoughtful, the best tool in your photographic arsenal is your mind.

In this picture, the herd bull JYD, is "looking off" a satellite bull that has averted his gaze.  This is behavior is typical of herd bull behavior in the rut.

From a photographic perspective, I like this picture pretty well. I like the crossing light, and the way the elk are organized in the composition.  JYD is a fine bull and his "looking off" pose is classic. You can see the power in his back.

I have found that many elk photos benefit from a "pano" crop.  This is cropped 12x6  or 2:1.   I do bullfights in 3:1 quite often.

Herd Bull JYD "Looks Off" a Satellite Bull

Cow and Calf Crossing the Hailstone

Today's picture.  The herds are still pretty loose because very few cow elk are estrous. This cow and her calf are on their way to the daytime bedding area on the other side of the Hailstone.  Other elk in her herd went to a different bedding area further north.

As the rut progresses, the herds compact and are closely controlled by rutting bulls. Just a couple of weeks from now, her herd bull will keep her and her calf close by to ward off competitor bulls.

Cow and Calf Crossing the Hailstone 2013 Arkansas Elk Rut

Yet Another Picture of the Day

This time he was real close. I could see the pores in his nose.  Note that this bull still has some velvet hanging on.  This time I had to over-expose +1 to open up the dark area of his neck. 

Shag Bull Crossing the Buffalo II

Picture of the Day

I got my first elk crossing the river in the fall season today.  He was surprised to see me, but gave me some great poses. This is one.  I got so close to him I had to dial back with my 100-400 zoom, my "go to" lens.

Shag Bull Crossing the Hailstone

I shot this in RAW and overexposed slightly.  I like mixed light and I seek it. Light was crossing from my right.

Today's Picture 11/8/12

This bull elk, "Little Fork", was the herd bull in the Ponca Fields herd. This picture is of him crossing the Buffalo National River moving his herd far south in an uncommon move through multiple zones in a single day. 

The bull is always last when they move. The lagging cow elk and her calf  are at the end of the line with a few shag bulls. The herd is heading for the south end fields, time will tell where they end up. 

Today's Picture -- 10/23/12 River Crossing

I have shot 8 river crossings so far this year, and it is by far my best year for them. Crossings are about Buffalo River Elk. You really have to work hard to get these pictures. Hiking the river on stone is tiring, much like walking in sand. It can be dangerous, and probably is not for most people. I carry an emergency beacon. Today was one of those days when I got what I was seeking. Yesterday I did not seen a single elk in the same spot.

This picture shows a "slow crossing" where the elk stream out of the pastures and then casually graze their way to their bedding areas. There still are bits of fall color to spice up the images. Off camera is a satellite bull that is hanging around the herd hoping to catch a stray.

My workshops at the Ponca Elk Education Center on Friday and Saturday will touch on getting these shots.

Elk River Crossing, Buffalo National River 10/23/12

JYD in Lost Valley 10/8/12 AM

JYD is the same bull I got on the 5th in a river crossing about a mile from Lost Valley. He is very active this year. If past experience in any guide, he will continue in the rut well into November. This year is he has a dropped eye guard on his right side, making him very easy to identify.

JYD bugling in front of the old Clark homestead 10/8/12 AM
His herd is to the right, moving to their bedding area. He is declaring his territory.

JYD Crossing the Buffalo River 10/5/12
The herd bull always follows the cows -- He is looking back for other bulls.

Recent Scenes from Boxley Valley

These are my favorite recent pictures, all from the last week.  Boxley Valley is now a multi-state destination for wildlife photographers and watchers. 

I will be doing a free elk photo workshop at the Ponca Elk Education Center at 2PM each day during the Color Fest, October 26th and 27th. Call to reserve your seat  870-861-2432.

Elk Photographers in Boxley Valley 10/7/12

Satellite Bull Crossing Buffalo 10/5/12

New Elk River Crossing Gallery Posted

http://arkansaswildlifephotography.com/2012_elk_gallery_3_crossing.html#axzz28Z7UeVK4

Crossing the Buffalo National River gallery and notes and photo tips, taken 10/5/12.

4/28/12 Better Lucky than Good

Rare Picture of Bull Elk in April Crossing the Buffalo National River

Better lucky than good. This is a picture I have imagined but never thought I would get. These bulls only this month shed their antlers. Already they are growing replacements. This is very early velvet. The big thing is that they are crossing the river.

Elk are in a summer pattern now. If you want to get the bull shots, you better be here at daybreak. As soon as the sun hits the fields, they disappear -- about 8:00AM. You still have to be a bit lucky because bull elk are very timid. Often they are way back in the fields along the cane lines.