Bull Elk
Uploaded: August 29, 2013 22:19:50
Jasper National Park
Alberta., CANADA
Taken A Few Days Ago In The Wild.
It is the start of mating season for the Elk in the Canadian Rockies. I did not realize this until later (reading signs posted) but this Bull Elk was very kind to let me take his photo. They can be very aggressive this time of year, (early and into the late fall), and charge at humans. I spoke softly to him and thanked him for allowing me to take his photo. He seemed pleased. I felt amazing shooting this series. :D
* * *
f 5.6, 1/30 hand Held ISO 200
-Animals-
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: -1.00, ExposureTime: 10/300 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 105.00 mm, Model: NIKON D90
Gord MacEachern August 30, 2013
Wow, superb capture of this amazing Elk Laura, WTG!!! #1542443Mary K. Robison August 30, 2013
What a marvelous series of shots, Pom! This big fella must have sensed your American Indian respect for all God's creatures. Lucky you! And beautiful capture(s)! #10825208Michelle Alton August 30, 2013
Magnificent! I'm glad he didn't decide you weren't a friend!!! #10825302Tammy Espino August 30, 2013
I always thank critters too :) What a super capture of this giant!! #10825513Nancy L. Green August 30, 2013
This is FANTASTIC Laura, what an opportunity you had, and you made the most of it!!! VERY well done!!! <>< #10825712Emile Abbott August 30, 2013
What an awesome capture, Laura. #10826308Laura E. Swan August 30, 2013
Hi Gord, Mare, Michelle, Tam-Tam, Nancy and Emile!!There is something so special about standing in the presence of a wild animal. Anything can happen and one must be careful...but that being said, I even sing to them in very soft tones if no one is around. Who knows? Maybe my voice is the first they have ever heard of a human voice singing? :D I love that thought. To not be the typical tourist to an animal.
With great respect I can feel they allow me there with them and it is how I thank them. The Japanese Bow to show respect for others and I also bow to the wild animals and close my eyes after I thank them. It's just something that I do.
Mare, my Mother might have had roots with the A.I.'s, but we just are not sure. We were told French Red Headed Indians. There are mysteries on her side of the family and no one has anything to back it up. Just word of mouth. There was a woman on her side of the family who named Chiquita Banana's as well. :D How about them bananas?? :D
Thanks lots all!
-Laura :) #10826343
Stephen Zacker September 01, 2013
Fantastic capture and setting #10829095Wm Nosal September 03, 2013
Awesome Laura! #10831914Kirsten Kiki Kjaer September 07, 2013
They must be envious at Nat. Geo., SSSLala.John Connolly September 30, 2013
Congratulations on your award Laura! This is a spectacular wildlife image! #10856733JO ANN CLEVELAND September 30, 2013
Congrats on the Staff Favorite too!jo ann c. #10856821
Wm Nosal September 30, 2013
Congratulations Laura! #10856920Robert R. Goodman September 30, 2013
Congratulations on your beautiful finalist my friend!!! #10856925Nancy Marie Ricketts September 30, 2013
Congratulations on this magnificent Staff Favorite, Laura. IMO, should have been a Finalist, and a shot for GOLD. I'm sure some Nature Magazines would jump at the chance to have this on their cover! #10857090Laura E. Swan September 30, 2013
EVERYONE! For all of your great comments!
I'd be so honored to have this in a wildlife magazine. :D We need talent scouts that will handle our work! Lol...I am terrible at marketing my stuff.
Maybe I should enter it on National Geo's contest? :D
DARE ME???? #10857091
Lydia Williams September 30, 2013
Dear Sis Laura,Laura E. Swan September 30, 2013
THANK YOU, SISTER LYDIA #10857434Laura E. Swan September 30, 2013
Okay Big Sister - I'm checking into it tonight. :DThanks for the DARE!!!
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/photo-contest/2013/ #10857602
Mary K. Robison October 01, 2013
Sooooo, Pomma-llama...Have you entered this fantastic capture in NatGeo's on-line contest, or what?XOXOX Mare #10857982
Kirsten Kiki Kjaer October 01, 2013
I'm with Mary, SSSister. It's NatGeo quality and I can't figure out where the gold is, but that's BP for you.I have picture of the month on another site - an image that took 3 (!) re-entries before BP put an EP on it. TskTskTsk. #10858233
Laura E. Swan October 01, 2013
National Geo here I come! Lol... I did look into it last night. I figured out how to have a 15 photo a month gallery but I do not see how to enter a contest. I will keep researching it. :DSister Kiki, I am so glad you have branched out with your work. It's reassuring when you can get a POTD or POTM at another site when on here it's completely passed over.
I used to love BP so much. I think they need more staff on the judging panel. Maybe we should apply, BPer's??? What do you think?? #10858869
Nancyj E. Hovey October 02, 2013
WOW.... C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SAnn Coates October 02, 2013
What a magnificent beast and look at those antlers. Congratulations on your image getting the Staff Favourite recognition Laura. #10860844Laura L. Gonzales October 12, 2013
Wow! You go girl! CONGRATULATIONS on your Staff Favorite award! I have not seen one of these awards before. How cool! So Proud of you! I think Nat Geo would love this as much as we all do! A fav of mine for sure! !! Big hugs big Sis!! #10869577Jean Lechleiter October 21, 2013
WOW Laura. This is great. Congratulations on the Staff Favourite Award. I'm surprised it didn't get further. #10878051Amanda D. Austwick November 29, 2013
Just love this rare catch. Congratulations on your Staff Favorite & Finalist award. I thought you should go higher on this one! #10910001Laura E. Swan November 29, 2013
I really appreciate your support everyone!! I know a professional photographer in California that has been shooting wildlife for decades and he said he never got one this good of an Elk so I was really hoping for Gold here. Oh well. :) At least they noticed it. :D
I'm so happy that you did, too! Thanks to each of you!!
-Laura :D #10910011
Nancyj E. Hovey November 30, 2013 1
We knew you could do it! 8o) #10910713Laura E. Swan November 30, 2013
Hi Mumj! :D Thank you!!!I got this award last month. :))) Yesterday my "Litter Dreamer" got a Staff Fav., then it went to a Finalist last night. :))) Love your new post!
-Laura Em #10910955
Annette Carr April 12, 2016
Amazing shot! Looks like he's just posing for you! #11460552Laura E. Swan April 12, 2016
Jasper at that time of year was the most amazing experience. Aug/Sept/Oct ... They post signs all over warning us that it's mating season and the animals can get very agressive. But this male just seemed at peace with me there and I felt it and I felt peace too. It is one of the rare few times I have felt communion with a wild animal. Thank you for commenting on one of my favorite images ever, Annette! :) #11460572Lydia Williams April 13, 2016
Boy, I remember this one....he knew what a kind and loving person you are! So, therefore, this awesome image! :) #11460865Laura E. Swan April 13, 2016
Big smile here, Lydia. Thank you. I bruise so easily however which is maybe why he decided not to charge me!! It was the most amazing series of photos that I have ever taken. Surreal. #11460885Annette Carr April 13, 2016
I think it's awesome that he just laid there, peacefully. What a beautiful gift. Both photographically and personally. He is a majestic animal and you captured that completely. Bravo! #11461001Lydia Williams April 13, 2016
:) #11461060Laura E. Swan April 13, 2016
:) Thank you Sisters!!! :D #11461064Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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