Posts in Category: animals
Yellowstone! moving the harem
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — #24 moving his harem and family up over the foot of the upper terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs. Bulging all the way. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent (close ups) and 99mm equivalent (wide shot). I am really enjoying this lens for both wildlife and landscape. 🙂 Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! putting on the ritz
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Buck elk…though they are commonly called bull elk that is not correct, as elk are deer not antelope or cows…they shed their horns and regrow them every year…so, this buck elk is putting on his mating scent and a dominance show for the females in hopes of a successful rutting season. Bucks dig into the ground, often after urinating on it, and toss the weeds and grasses up over their back, spreading their mating scent (with comes from a gland by their eyes), all over. They also rub antlers on trees and brush, and generally make a show of themselves, dominating their territory and their harem, and letting any other bucks in the area know who is charge. When you see a buck with vegetation in its antlers, you know he is ready to party. Yes, well I am sure tuxedos on us look silly to an elk too. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! #24 in sunlight
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2014 — We eventually did get to see #24 in all his glory in the full, if still early, sun. This is a buck elk to recon with. As the sun touched the ridge on the far side of the valley and lit up the terrace of the hot springs behind us, #24 quickly crossed the road, along with most of his harem, to feed in the tall grasses at the foot of the terrace. He paused just on the other side to bugle the rest of the herd across the road…showing us all of his good sides. Note how healthy he looks…the smoothness of his coat, the tone of his muscles. This is an elk buck in his prime. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC VDX zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk morning
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — Still in the shadow of the eastern ridge above Mammoth, the elk were already moving up from the town center across the lower ridges toward the higher country above the springs. #24, the dominant bull, was herding his harem and family higher up the slopes before attempting to cross the road just below the upper terrace of the springs. His is one of the larger herds of elk in the park. We watched them move slowly through the sage for more than 30 minutes, the bulls sense of urgency off-set by the cows’ and calves’ need for a morning feed. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 250-600mm equivalents for framing. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Elk on the ridge
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — We got to Mammoth Hot Springs early on our second full day in the park, specifically to photograph the Elk as the sun crested the mountains. Still early enough here so the sun was not even on the ridges above the springs, and this buck and doe are silhouetted against the semi dark sky. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! #24
Elk: Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, September 2024 — On our first day in the park, we stopped in Mammoth Hot Springs early in the morning, long before the sun was high enough to light the Hot Springs terraces, to photograph the herd of Elk that make downtown Mammoth their home. They generally spend the night on the green and the surrounding lawns, and only disperse into the hills and up the terraces as the day gets warmer. This is #24, the dominant bull of the herd, though he is so secure that he tolerates at least 2 other, younger, bulls. There is, however, no doubt about who’s herd, whose harem, it is. Here he is bugling his dominance as he returns from putting one of the younger bulls in his place. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 463mm equivalent, and just about full frame. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Pica pica
Pica: Sheepeater Cliffs, Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — We made 4 visits to Sheepeater Cliffs in search of Pica…the little rock bunnies with the round ears…and saw them on two of those visits. They come out to the edge of the talus pile in search of green grasses and leaves, and then scurry back to eat what they find. And they are, in my opinion, about the cutest thing you can imagine. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Pronghorn
Pronghorn Antelope: Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — This buck Pronghorn was leading (or herding) his small harem along the road-side in Yellowstone. Pronghorns are truly odd looking animals but have a beauty of their own. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Moose encounter
Moose: Yellowstone National Park, October 2024 — Early in the morning before the sun reached the valley floor. This big bull, at least two females and a young bull. Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.
Yellowstone! Never cry wolf 2
Wolf: Yellowstone National Park — The other wolf…not as close as yesterday’s but still satisfyingly close…across the road and up the hill. Black wolf. Note the contrast with the eyes 🙂 Sony a6700 with the Tamron 50-400 Di iii VC zoom at 600mm. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.