Early morning elk

Got out last week in a very early morning effort to photograph a few bull elk. Did not find any bulls, but did find a herd of cows and calves in a small valley. There were sixteen in this herd. Watched them for better than a half hour at a distance of 175 yards. A few left to go feed as I watched, and some were behind trees and brush. Pretty much had poor light and long range shooting. But fun non the less. They were still mostly bedded down when I left.

IMAGE LINK: http://s1370.photobuck​et.com …7371_zps5dd8c5d​b.jpg.html

Excellent shot for 175 yards! I was about to post two elk photos I took in Oregon a couple weeks ago but it just doesn't seem right...they were grazing not 20' from the side of Hwy 38. Unlike your photo, it took absolutely no skill or dedication to get the shots.

By the way, I really like your composition. The elk laying in the tall grass reminds me of something you'd see on a savanna.

Jedi5150 wrote in post #17100821
Excellent shot for 175 yards! I was about to post two elk photos I took in Oregon a couple weeks ago but it just doesn't seem right...they were grazing not 20' from the side of Hwy 38. Unlike your photo, it took absolutely no skill or dedication to get the shots.

By the way, I really like your composition. The elk laying in the tall grass reminds me of something you'd see on a savanna.

Hey Jedi, if you have some elk pics, post them buddy. Elk are always great to see.

KT29 wrote in post #17102382
Hey Jedi, if you have some elk pics, post them buddy. Elk are always great to see.

Will do. Again, these were pure luck shots. A group of buddies and I were on a motorcycle ride throughout northern CA and Oregon. On Hwy 38, Just outside of Reedsport, we came across these huge meadows with herds of elk. The first herd was all females with one male, and the second herd was all males. One of my friends on Flickr said she lived in Reedsport for 6 months, went to these meadows constantly and never saw them anywhere near this close to the highway. We really just got super lucky.

KT29 wrote in post #17102382
Hey Jedi, if you have some elk pics, post them buddy. Elk are always great to see.

Have to agree Terry, love seeing Elk photos. The cow standing up looks to be in great condition, wish I could have been there.
Jedi, I have to rely on luck most of the time, looks like it paid off well for you, nice bulls and shots.

Nice capture

Right place right time

Nice catch Terry.

KT29 wrote in post #17100804
Got out last week in a very early morning effort to photograph a few bull elk. Did not find any bulls, but did find a herd of cows and calves in a small valley. There were sixteen in this herd. Watched them for better than a half hour at a distance of 175 yards. A few left to go feed as I watched, and some were behind trees and brush. Pretty much had poor light and long range shooting. But fun non the less. They were still mostly bedded down when I left.

Great composition. I love seeing the animal in a scene that says something about it's environment or habitat. This one really speaks to me.

Beautiful series.

Marc