Rocky Mountain Bull Elk

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 6, 2012918 views22 comments

A photo from my trip to the Northern Rockies in October. It was a chilly frosting morning and while this bull foraged on meadow grass, his harem of cows had already began to move into the nearby forest. This photo was made as he began to herd the rest of his cow into the woods.

Canon MkIV, 100-400mm @ 260mm, f6.3, 1/250, ISO 800

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated

Ken Archer

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on November 6, 2012 at 7:21 PM

Nice one, Ken. Based on his look, I'd expect the cows would be thinking "Yes, Sir. Whatever you say." Like the warm and cold aspects of this. Nice action, well composed, and sharp where it needs to be.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 6, 2012 at 7:49 PM

The washed out tones in the background really help this boy pop. Nice one, Ken.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on November 6, 2012 at 9:55 PM

excellent work, love the pose and even great trophy!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 6, 2012 at 10:39 PM

You really caught this nice looking bull in an excellent pose and the grass in the mouth is classic. Great dof, the bull stands out beautifully. I'm kind of torn on the light tone of the foreground grass. I think I would prefer that foreground to have a little more texture, or have it rendered slightly darker. This is certainly one heck of an elk photo regardless of what I say!!!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on November 6, 2012 at 10:55 PM

Great shot you've got here Ken, I wouldn't change a thing. Nice one!

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on November 6, 2012 at 11:00 PM

Love the frosty grass and the yellow tree in the BG. I can feel the fall air.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 6, 2012 at 11:08 PM

Excellent image Ken! This impressive specimen really pops out from the surrounding habitat. Perfect DOF for this and very well processed.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Jamie Douglas on November 6, 2012 at 11:58 PM

A superb image Ken. Nothing to fault and processing looks spot on.

Very impressive and I like the traces of fall colour in the BG

Jamie

Registered on July 16, 2012, 10 Posts, 87 Comments

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on November 7, 2012 at 3:36 PM

This is a fantastic Elk image, Ken...

Love the muted colours in the BG which makes the red-brown bull pop nicely. Classic pose and composition too.

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on November 7, 2012 at 3:51 PM

Hello Mr Archer

Classic Male Pose.... Congrats!!!

The Separation of Subject ( DOF & Exposure)from the Environment really Adds to the Power of this Image!!:)

I feel similar to Gary's critique about trying to tone down the foreground slightly.

A Very Sweet Keeper.

Thanks for Sharing.

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on November 7, 2012 at 5:38 PM

Awsome Ken!
Love the stance and emotion of the bull. Those eyes and his posture tell the story. Excellent separtation from the BG, but enough detail to show environment.
Congrats!!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 8, 2012 at 7:00 AM

A great one Ken! Really caught the action of this bull during the rut. I also feel the FG might be better with a bit more detail. The expression on the bulls face is outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 8, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Great shot Ken, love the frost and how the bull is so well distinguished. The fall color is icing on the cake.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 12, 2012 at 7:47 PM

Love the look on the Elk Ken and position of the antlers are perfect. I' still undecided on the FG grass. Part of me wants more detail, but part of me likes the more artistic approach and just making this pop off the page. Either way...nice work!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 15, 2012 at 7:09 PM

Congrats Ken, sweet image!

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 15, 2012 at 7:29 PM

Congratulations Ken. Excellent image.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 16, 2012 at 1:36 PM

Ken, this is just excellent - wonderful pose from this fellow, tack-sharp, and sweet BG.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on November 17, 2012 at 11:50 PM

Classic shot Ken. He looks like he is in no mood to discuss anything. Great composition and clarity.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on November 21, 2012 at 4:38 PM

The darker bull really stands apart from the frosty grounds and light colored background. The yellow aspen is a good element. Really nice image and congrats on the WP.

Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on November 24, 2012 at 6:11 AM

Wonderful image Ken! Love the frosty setting

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on November 29, 2012 at 2:23 PM

Excellent shot, congratis on the WP!
Grt, Ingrid.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on September 15, 2013 at 7:12 PM

Beautiful Ken, I especially love the contrast between his dark body and the bright grass.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments