Pennsylvania Elk-Waning days of the Rut

Pennsylvania Bull Elk trying to get the attention of a young cow

We spent three days in Pa Elk country this past week with friends Gary and Kim Amatrudo from Connecticut.  As usual we were able to view 100+ elk.  We saw a number of decent sized bulls but no "monster bulls".  The rut was still active with bugling, sniffing and some breeding going on.  The weather was unusually warm for late October and the elk were visibly in stress from the heat.  Most of the foliage had long gone past peak color, but the Tamarack trees were in their yellow/orange splendor. 

We spent a considerable amount of time watching nad following the bull pictured here.  

Mornings in the Benezett PA area in the fall are normally very foggy which creates a beauty of its own.  The early morning with fog is a great sight to see.  This a the view of the valley between the Winslow Hill viewing area and the mine reclaim area. There were 4 to 5 bulls bugling as we stood and watched this beautiful scene. 

There were a number of snow buntings in the area-seemed unusual for this time of year-they are a very pretty bird

We also saw a number of Wild Turkeys and one group was a bunch of about 12 very mature gobblers feeding together.

Until next Time

Jim Borden

Pennsylvania Elk in Winter

We spent last weekend in Benezett Pa and surrounding area.  It was a pleasant weekend with freezing temperatures, some snow and some sun.  The elk were out almost all day feeding on Saturday.  We saw over 200 elk in our travels.  Some were decent bulls-but not of the class that we have previously seen in that area.  The low sun levels in the winter actually provide some of the best photo opportunities that one will have during mid day.  The end of day "Golden Light" is also beautiful at this time of year.  Some like to adjust white balance to take away the golden quality--I prefer to capture that Golden Light.

Canon 7D; Canon 70-200 f4 w1.4TC; f7.1 1/125 ISO500 EC-.33

Canon MK IV 1D; Canon 600 f4 at f7.1 1/640 ISO 1000

I was surprised to witness a bull still "checking" on the estrus condition of cows and he hit pay dirt as exemplified by the famous phlemen.  i sure wish I had captured this with a snowy or evergreen background.  the brown leaves make the photo "busy".

Canon MK IV 1D; Canon 600 f4 at f6.3 1/800 ISO 1000

Found this young elk close to the edge of the highway--those tender shots there were keeping him occupied.  I was worried he might step out into traffic.

Canon 7D; Canon 70-200 f4 w1.4TC; f7.1 1/400 ISO800

Until next time!

Jim Borden