12 replies to this topic

[hahn23]

This may be my first elk (wapiti) photo of 2010. Most of the time I see these big guys, it's a grazing shot with head down, or a posterior shot. When the park is nearly empty, the big bulls are still wary, but they are not shy. It's possible to get close enough for a portrait. This guy actually didn't know what to make of me, because I was whispering secrets he wanted to hear. (Every good wildlife photographer knows what to say!) What is not commonly known is... ALL the big bulls spend the winter in Horseshoe Park. Almost all of the cows, yearling and spikes spend the winter in lower elevations or Moraine Park and Upper Beaver Meadows. The bulls venture out to graze during the night and in the dawn and dusk light. They retreat to the shade of the forest when the sun is high, because they are nocturnal animals. Also, the bulls will keep their antlers until the new vegetation starts to grow in mid March. About March 20, all the bulls will drop their antlers as the new antlers grow in. Antler shedding is an annual event. Final note: the image shows the full winter coat. Elk are comfortable to about -40 degrees. This is as pretty as the winter coat gets.

f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 400, tripod mount

Edited by hahn23, 07 December 2010 - 07:50 PM.

[Allie]

So how close were you, Richard? He is very handsome. Is it allowed to gather the shed antlers?

[foxfire]

Very Nice Shot! Thank You!

A Beautiful Animal!

Fox

[hahn23]

Allie, on 07 December 2010 - 07:57 PM, said:

So how close were you, Richard? He is very handsome. Is it allowed to gather the shed antlers?

35'. It's against park rules to "gather antlers". And, the park security rangers are very active between March 20 and April 10. But, I've never come across a big elk antler, so there are people "gathering" antlers. A less nice term is "poaching". The antlers are shed in a fairly small geographical zone. In the dark of night, probably under a full moon, the poachers are very good. The motivation is the economic value of the antlers. The antlers from the big guy above would be worth $200 retail. And, if you can ship the antlers to Asia, the antlers would be worth 5X.

Edited by hahn23, 07 December 2010 - 08:05 PM.

[Allie]

I understand. I hate poachers, and wouldn't want to be accused of that, hence the question. I wondered, because I have never seen any antlers in all the years I have been going. Thanks for the info.

[Larry]

Richard

This is really a very impressive elk portrait. I am quite impressed with the clarity of the eye and he texture in the nose. Additionally you have excellent separation between the bull and the background--just enough out of focus to show the foliage but enough to make it not distracting.
This is about the best elk portrait I've seen.

Larry

[hahn23]

Allie, on 07 December 2010 - 08:25 PM, said:

I understand. I hate poachers, and wouldn't want to be accused of that, hence the question. I wondered, because I have never seen any antlers in all the years I have been going. Thanks for the info.

I've actually hiked out into the bull elk wintering areas to look for antlers shortly after they've been dropped. I've found zero. They get "harvested" quickly. Big money involved. Too few park security rangers working at night.

Larry, on 07 December 2010 - 08:32 PM, said:

Richard

This is really a very impressive elk portrait. I am quite impressed with the clarity of the eye and he texture in the nose. Additionally you have excellent separation between the bull and the background--just enough out of focus to show the foliage but enough to make it not distracting.
This is about the best elk portrait I've seen.

Larry

Thanks, Larry. We had a meeting of the minds. I'm not sure who was wiser!

[hector]

Great info on the shed antlers, Richard. I've often wondered but never got around to asking (thanks, Allie!). Gorgeous photo.

[mistylady]

Very handsome fellow! Outstanding photo! It is amazing that their coat keeps them warm to -40 degrees. I have thought about them out in the bitter cold. Glad the coat is warm!

[Melanie]

He is so handsome, the face is so expressive. I am glad Allie asked that question, because I was going to ask the same thing. Don't mice and squirrels eat antlers for the calcium in them?

Thanks for all the information you provide, I learn so much from you!


Melanie<><

[Scrapinator]

Great shot of a handsome bull!

[hahn23]

Melanie, on 08 December 2010 - 07:24 AM, said:

...Don't mice and squirrels eat antlers for the calcium in them? ....

Melanie<><

Great question! That is "the official line" put out by interpretive rangers in the park. There is sliver of truth in the fact that mice and squirrels DO chew on antlers. But, rodents don't consume ALL the dropped antlers within hours of shedding. I continue to think there is a very organized, efficient and clandestine poaching. If you've been to some of the arts & craft shows, you'll see some of the products produced for market. Okay, so it's not like elephant tusks because the animal doesn't need to be killed to harvest the antlers. I don't have too much problem with this kind of thing, except that "gathering antlers" in the park is strictly prohibited. (And, just to be clear, I'm not saying the company showing the product below did ANY poaching.)

Edited by hahn23, 08 December 2010 - 08:26 AM.

[DrCloud]

When we were looking at houses in EP, it was surprising how many had chandeliers, coat racks, etc., etc. made from elk antlers. Of course, I'm certain that they were all gathered from USFS and private lands, not RMNP.

Right.

And as for where the ones in the Park go, well, you forgot about the voles, Richard. Hungry little buggers, always needing huge amounts of calcium. HPH