26-OCT-2007
Big Bull in Pasture
This bull is a casualty of the current rut. He was a participant in the bull fight I recently documented, and he has now come up a bit lame. I imagine he will heal and in a few weeks he will be OK. But for this year, he can no longer fight, and he will not mate. #31,032
Patterns Change in Boxley Valley, Ponca, Arkansas
Yesterday, for the first time, it was clear that the elk
in Boxley Valley, Arkansas' premier elk viewing site, have
dramatically changed their patterns probably due to the rut.
For the last few days the daytime high temperature had shifted
from the 80s down to the 60s. This seems to have ramped up
the rut and elk are wandering everywhere in Boxley Valley, and,
importantly, they can be seen during the day. It is true that
peak viewing remains in the morning and evening, but there are
plenty of opportunities during the day.
Good news for photographers is that we are heading quickly into
fall color now. It is delayed about a week or two, presumably
due to climate change, i.e., global warming. If you make a trip
to NW Arkansas to photograph elk, you can now depend on very
good photo opportunities with added fall color. Fall is one of
the prime landscape seasons, and when you hit the rut, it is
pretty easy to shoot 500+ photos a day.
Stay tuned. I will provide periodic updates on what is happening
with the elk herd. There are signficant seasonal shifts in photo
opportunities that make all the difference to photographers
visiting this beautiful area. The landscapes are worth visiting
alone, but the elk offer a great additional payoff.
Ponca Elk Education Center 870-861-2432. Mary Ann Hicks and Carol
Villines can help you with everthing you need to know locally.
For more information, call the Ponca Elk Education Center. If you
see me shooting in the valley, stop and say hi. I am there most
every day. I am the gray haired guy with the tripod and big lens.
25-OCT-2007
Bull Elk Classic Pose
A standard pose by a very nice 6x6. #30,733
24-OCT-2007
Bull by Field Stump 2
Another picture of the bull hanging around a stump. #30,475
24-OCT-2007
Bull Elk Peeking Around Stump
For some reason this big guy was peeking from behind a stump at me. He was busy keeping his herd in a compact group near a small stream. #30,469
24-OCT-2007
Bull, Cow and Calf in Stream
Three elk, a portion of a small herd under the protection of the alpha bull. #30,451