Photographing Elk

Here is a sight that can give Photographers a bad name. While they were not as close to this mating Bull Elk as it seems, they were definitely very close. It really doesn't matter because appearances is what rules here. Notice that these photographers are not the usual "let's see how close we can get" Point 'N Shoot photographers, but have some really serious glass. Some of this Bull's herd almost went between these photographer and the road. It could have gotten serious as the cow he was last mating with was in this group.

Not only a bad name, but if anyone saw this photograph you posted they wouldn't consider any of the resulting images from these sessions to be produced in the wild, so hopefully they're not passing them off as that.

Barbara, I'm not sure I understand your comment. Though I don't know where this was taken (Colorado? Tetons? Yellowstone?), it probably is a wild animal. Scenes like these are pretty common during the elk rut, but they do involve wild animals... which is partly what makes the situation so dangerous.

Max

Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to think that animals in national parks (like Yellowstone) are not 'wild'. It's true that they are much more acclimated to people than wild animals in less traveled regions are but they are not tame. Just because they don't spook and run as soon as they hear an automobile doesn't make them any less likely to defend their territory, harems, or young. And it doesn't mean that getting this close to them doesn't put them under a great deal of stress. It's pretty easy to get close to the animals in Yellowstone and Teton Parks but just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

That's me, second from the left.

Yes, you guys are right. It's not something I'm used to seeing, but now that I see what you wrote I know you're right.

How was this photo taken? Remote camera? Gary do you know?

Once in Yellowstone I got to watch an elk clean its antlers on three tripods. Seemed as handy as brush to him, I guess. The question of the moment was how to clean elk urine and mud from big white lenses.

Yeah, there's such a thing as too close, but it's hard to tell from this photo. A change of a couple of f-stops could make those photogs look lots further away or closer.

Elk psychology is kind of trippy anyhow. If you try to stand back at a safe distance and not disturb them, they are likely to eventually get right in your grill. If you try to pursue them, they are more likely to avoid you and not let you get close. In cases like this, you want to avoid being trampled by stampeding photographers. Generally, the cows make me more nervous. When they lay their ears back, show some respect and back up.

First, this photo was taken at with a Canon 7D with a 100-400 lens set at 400 mm. It was taken in Moraine Park of Rocky Mountain National Park. I should have stated that when I posted the photo. I will have to say that the Elk were not that close when all those photographers went out onto the field, but they slowly moved that way and the Photographers held their ground.

Hank, you are right in that they are not a close as it looks here, though it sure looked too close from where I was standing. Even if they were a respectable distance away from the Elk, which they are not, from what I was seeing, the appearance was that they were too close. I try to use the Yellowstone guideline in how close I get to large animals. In the case of all but Bear and Wolves, that is 25 yards. But I gave more credence to my own personal comfort zone when it is a larger distance or the animal seems to be disturbed by my presence.

Robert, I have found that you have indications that you are disturbing the cows before they lay back their ears. I have seen them bothered by my presence and have backed up, but I have not yet seen them lay back their ears and I hope never to witness that.

Ross, I'm just kidding. I have no idea where or how this was taken.

How close is too close? That is a pointless question because it is entirely up to the elk. I generally try to avoid these animals because they are too much trouble. It is however, impossible. They are BIG. I don't want to be stepped on. They hang out in herds and are easily spooked by something like the snapping of a twig. When they come running at you, they know that you will step aside. I would advise against patting them on the butt as they rush past. Hearing thundering hooves at close range in a dense forest in the dark can be unsettling. But they do crop up in things you are trying to photograph and there is no way around it. The photo here was taken from a picnic table with a small zoom. It is my opinion that these animals should be left alone during the rut.

That's just another day in RMNP this time of year. I drove up to trail ridge a little while back, and it took me forever cause there were cars literally parked in the middle of the road, and dozens if not hundreds of rabid photographers mobbing some poor elk, some of them couldn't have been more than 20 feet away. I aint a wildlife photographer, but if i were you wouldn't catch me dead in a scene like that! Pathetic...

The Elk during rut aren't too bad as long as you give them their room. When I took the picture that leads off this thread, from the time I started at almost too dark to shoot until they mostly all departed, I doubt if I was further than ten feet from the road. This herd was close enough that getting out in the meadow was not necessary. There were times that I moved to behind the cars parked along side the road. One thing I like in Yellowstone is that they require the cars to park so that their tires are off the road, beyond the painted white line. It does keep traffic moving even though there are those that stop to take pictures from their open windows as they drive by. It doesn't stop the idiots from running to the animals to get a "close up" shot. Some of them end up taking a short trip through the air.

What's the big deal?
You guys been to Yellowstone?
This happens for EVERY species. It would be more fun if it wasn't so competitive. Folks get ornery real combative. The funniest time at Yellowstone is in March during the wolf survey. Lots of photographers, all friendly and helpful. Great fun. Try it some time. Wolf people are crazy fun.

This Happened last fall. A bunch of us photogs were recording the drama of a heard bull vs this satellite bull. This bull circled the heard bull all morning bugling and generally harassing him. All of the sudden he appeared.

He was injured by a car a week later, then killed by 3 wolves.