The American Elk rut; I hate to see it end. Well, not really! A day photographing the elk rut and other wildlife in the area can be tiring. Combining a full-time job and trying to fulfill the inner desire to photograph nature at its best, can wear a person out. So, when the second week of October rolls around and bull elk begin to feed together in the same field and not attack each other, I'm a little bit sad but a little bit glad too.
The photographs and stories in the photo blog entry were made in the very end of September and early October. I hope you enjoy sharing my experiences.
A friend of mine, Bob Davis, and I decided we'd skip the early morning rain and fog and arrive in Elk County after 9 a.m. We first visited lower Dewey Road to find a large herd of elk cow and calves on the hillside being held together by one bull. After dressing up my Canon 5D MK III and 600mm lens with a rain cover, I immediately began photographing this large bull. You never know when they will leave the meadow and be gone for the day. Look closely to see the rain soaked coat of this impressive bull as he lowers his head to chase an elk cow.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
It was a large meadow that extended over a hill and several cow elk ventured over the edge about 50 yards away. That was too far for our 7X8 and he began herding them together again.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
Of course, some cows were unaffected by his charging as they lay obedient in the field near him.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
Even the calves were at ease. This little calf, still showing its spots, pauses during grooming to make sure I'm keeping my distance.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
I want to remind everyone that although it looks like I am very close to the elk, it is not what it seems. You wouldn't catch me standing in front of a bull charging up on a hot cow.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
My favorite elk poses are when he is bugling or when he lowers his head right before pursuing a cow in estrus.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
While all this was going on Bob and I got to chat with photographer friends Willard Hill, and Buckwheat. I also finally got to meet other wildlife photographers that I feel like I've known for a long time from sharing photos and stories in our Facebook groups. It was nice to meet Odie Swartz, Coy Hill, and Charlie Cropp. Oh, I hope I didn't miss anyone. My apologies if I did.
After all the running around chasing cows, our bull decided to take a rest.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
While the activity was low, most of us left to check out some other possible elk activity in adjacent fields. After about 45 minutes Bob and I returned. There was a smaller bull coming over the hillside but we could tell, and he probably could too, that he was no match for our big 7X8.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
Without even getting excited enough to stand up, the big guy bellowed a deep bugle just to keep the smaller guy at a distance.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
As lunchtime approached, Bob and I had lunch at our favorite local spot, the Benezette Hotel, and then did a little sightseeing around the Elk State Forest.
In late afternoon, we planned on spending time behind the visitors center. But first, I needed to check out lower Dewey Road again to see if our 7X8 was getting any larger competition. We found him still patrolling the meadow doing what bulls do during the rut.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
When you see a bull with his head down rubbing his antlers into the grass and dirt, he is most likely urinating on his belly and lower neck. The urine gives them a distinct smell that attracts cows. When they lift their head you sometimes get a sight like this.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
No challengers were in sight so I clicked one more photograph as he stood proudly on the top of the hill, then we left for the visitors center.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
The visitors center has been a hot spot for action during this years' rut. Of the few times I went there, most of the activity was in the far fields which isn't really what I like to photograph. This one bull did rub his antlers in a spruce tree in the center of the field. If you look closely at the bull elk's rack, you will notice the main shafts are darker than the tines. The darkness comes from the bull rubbing them in vegetation as the oils and liquids of the plants darken the rack.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
Does anyone remember this big bull I photographed in August? I was wondering where he would show up during the rut this year.
I didn't see him in the saddle like I thought I would. I started to spend more time watching other fields and of all the big bulls around, I still didn't see this guy. He is most recognizable by his injured lip and impressive rack.
Finally, as the rut neared its end, I found him. He was as big as I remember and looked like he added a lot of mass to the chest and neck area.
The sun had sunk below the Pennsylvania mountains and photography was getting tough. We were preparing for our drive home when I asked Bob if he minded if I checked out one more spot. I was glad we did. Although we didn't see any fights we did get to watch the "summer bull" defend his meadow.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
The impressiveness of this rack and bugle was all the defense he needed today. He kept two other bulls 100 yards away.
PA Elk (Sept, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
Only four days later, my wife and I returned to Benezette for the evening. We met up with our friends Tom and Jeanne Dorsey and "shot the bull", no pun intended, for awhile before parting ways.
Rut activity was slow but there was bugling behind the visitor's center so that is where Elena and I headed. While most of the action was far over the hill we did have one bull and several cows and calves fairly close. They were strategically positioned behind a large grouping of trees and were hard to see. As the sun began to set, I caught this tender moment between an elk cow and her calf.
PA Elk (Oct, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
One last look. That's all it took as darkness came upon us. Our bull, who has been keeping trees between himself and the people most of the evening, finally came out and gave a good pose. The soft lighting added serenity to the final days of the rut.
PA Elk (Oct, 2015)Elk County
Benezette, PA
I hope you enjoyed the photos and stories I've shared. If it isn't possible for you to be able to see the beauty of our Pennsylvania landscape and wildlife during this exciting time of the year, I hope my photography and stories took you there.
Those of you that do venture into Elk Country, I'll see you in the field!
Thanks for looking,
Dan