Bull Elk Winter Scene

Gallery: WildlifePosted January 21, 2015312 views10 comments

Wild Bull Elk in a Winter Scene.

Snow falling lightly with Sun hidden slightly behind a thin cloud , but still showing some long shadow. Temperature were cool @ -20 degrees cent. but I was prepared & ok for up to 1 hour at a time in the snow!

This young buck was looking over at several juvenile female elk , and concentrating on them with a very focused look! Snow from his hooves is evident as he moved away from me. A Great day for me to witness these beautiful elk in their natural environment.

Nikon D610, with Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR lens, Vr on normal, 1/500, F5.6, ISO 160, +1.00 Meter Compensation, Hand Held , while prone in the snow.

Taken about Mid Day.

Comments and Critique appreciated ...PS.. Larger Version with dark framing shows off well!

Bill
www.BillBickle.com

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 21, 2015 at 12:05 PM

This is really nice. The elk almost jumps out of the image out you. It looks almost three dimensional. The snow, the lifted feet all add to this great capture. Well done.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on January 21, 2015 at 3:34 PM

I seriously love this image! It's actually my new favourite of yours. The lighting on the elk looks really cool compared to the gray background. The lifted feet and snow really add to this. I think this image has a "Christmas Winter Wonderland" mood.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 22, 2015 at 5:42 AM

This is a very cool elk-in-its-environment image, Bill! Like Jenaya, I've grown extremely fond of it since you posted it. The light is fantastic (truly beautiful, actually!), the falling snow is perfection, and the softer/hazy forest in behind just adds another level. For me, the exposure and detail of the snow take it over the top, though. Really pleasing and unique image, Bill!

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on January 22, 2015 at 11:21 PM

The gold brown tones and color…the sunlight brightening the elk against the blue-grey b/g and snow is…terrific! I love this…just a crazy good image!

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on January 23, 2015 at 9:19 AM

Hey Bill,

Light here is really nice, as is the overall scene. DoF is great - the elk is nice and sharp and the background is softened up very appropriately. Between that and the lighting on the elk is stands out very nicely. Frosty and overall very wintery feel overall - and the falling snow adds appropriately to that!

The only thing on my "perfect world" wish list would be for the head to be turned slightly more towards you - but that's a trivial issue and something you had zero control over.

Overall - really nice. Well done...

Cheers...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 23, 2015 at 2:27 PM

Looks like a painting or a notecard - this is a stunning image. An instant classic.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 24, 2015 at 11:10 AM

Thanks all for your feedback, Really Appreciate them !

It was a special moment when the Bull appeared from the trees and moved in close, before moving off to seek his girls!

I find the elk a beautiful and unique animal that has some quite different characteristics over deer and moose.
First off , they way of travelling when moving out with the extended head high and up looking, this brings the antlers back down almost level with his back ! And the Bulls sounds with his quite high pitched bugling is amazing to hear!

hoping to post other captures from this experience soon!

Cheers

Bill

PS.. I'll be adding some Elk to my web soon...

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

Comment posted by Karen Kane on January 26, 2015 at 12:43 AM

Bill, you have captured that essence of how the elk kind of prance as they move. The techs are good, lighting is great - he sure stands out nicely from the BG. Seeing the underside of those two hooves makes this unique too. Well done!

Registered on August 4, 2012, 66 Posts, 726 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 31, 2015 at 1:33 PM

Bill: "Majestic" was my first impression. Marvelous pose, light and comp. Congrats on the WP. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 31, 2015 at 8:25 PM

Somehow this one got past me last week. What a wonderful photograph of this handsome bull during this autumn storm. Love the attentive stare and body posture.

Congrats!!!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments