Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

FM Forum Rules
Nature & Wildlife Posting Guidelines

FM Forums | Nature & Wildlife | Join Upload & Sell

2 end

Archive 2018 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

dalite
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

The elk refuge at Tomales Point inside Point Reyes juts northward into the Pacific Ocean and is often blanketed with maritime fog. Unfortunately, on my trip there I had high expectations of catching the elk at rut but the fog did its usual thing with very brief periods of clearance. So I took what I could get, not wanting to go home empty handed from a 120 mile round trip.

Dominant bulls have already staked out their harems after battling other males for the does (see photo #6 for some battle scars), while younger males keep at a distance. Bugling males are all over the place, some with large harems and some with as small a harem as 3 does

Fog creates light scattering (and OOF shots) but I liked the pose

Head crop

This bull's harem consisted of just 3 does. Notice battle injury

Detail of battle injury. Additionally, it's front eye-tine looked broken or twisted

This dominant bull's harem consisted of 20 does and he was still trying to round up more. They bedded down so I could not get a good shot.

Sep 19, 2018 at 11:05 PM

MedicineMan404
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Outstanding captures Dennis. I love the up close portraits. The foggy scene gives a nice mystery. I can find elk close by but they are all collared

Sep 19, 2018 at 11:43 PM

gcooke0522
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Nice set! I love photographing elk, especially during the rut. Such majestic animals.

Sep 20, 2018 at 05:13 AM

morris
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Great document work Dennis. The fog gives a different and real view. Have you tried removing it with software?

Morris

Sep 20, 2018 at 06:27 AM

KCollett
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Nice set Dennis. #5 is very appealing.

Sep 20, 2018 at 07:17 AM

surfnron
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

There are times that you have to take what you can get for sure Dennis. You made the best of what was available - great set. 7 stands out ~ Ron

Sep 20, 2018 at 07:20 AM

dalite
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Thanks everyone. Next year I shall time my visit 2-3 weeks earlier in the hope I get some real "action" shots.
Morris, I did some PP on the first (foggy) shot and, although slightly improved, it was not worth posting. I only wanted to show the original atmospheric condition and the havoc it plays on picture quality. On the other hand, last year I had (what I consider) a very nice shot of a bull elk looking ghostly in the morning fog.

Sep 20, 2018 at 06:01 PM

dallvr
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Excellent shots of the Pt. Reyes elk!

Sep 20, 2018 at 06:30 PM

frdjohns
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Nice set. I enjoy seeing the cows, as well as the Bulls.

Sep 20, 2018 at 09:06 PM

louie champan
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Terrific set of images, all very well done.

Sep 20, 2018 at 09:11 PM

40Driggs
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Great shots. I actually don’t mind the fog in the first, but I understand the frustration, having dealt with it before.

Sep 20, 2018 at 10:06 PM

johnohio
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Cool shots. Love the fog shot. I know it can be difficult, but worth it " IMHO'' when t works out.

John

Sep 20, 2018 at 11:19 PM

kdacharya
Online
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

beautifully done, Dennis. Big fan of #1. I would not remove the fog. thanks for sharing

Sep 21, 2018 at 04:38 AM

dalite
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Wow, you guys really like the fog shot? That pleases me because it was not my favorite. As someone else says: "Courses for horses". Thanks again.

Sep 21, 2018 at 03:33 PM

mogul
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

I don't know when this pygmy race of elk rut...they are also out of their natural habitat (hot Central Valley of California). The elk in Central Oregon pretty much start their rut with the 1st frosts. It probably never gets below freezing at Pt. Reyes. I am curious if there will be problems of keeping the coastal elk (Roosevelt) from this expanding herd of Tule elk. My favorite is the foggy one also.

Sep 21, 2018 at 03:56 PM

dalite
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

mogul wrote:
I don't know when this pygmy race of elk rut...they are also out of their natural habitat (hot Central Valley of California).

dalite: Not sure what you mean by pygmy race. Some of those bulls weigh as much as 500-600 lbs. And their habitat appears right, even the larger Roosevelt elk occupy coastal, foggy, Northern California at Prairie Creek Redwoods State park

It probably never gets below freezing at Pt. Reyes.

dalite: Correct

I am curious if there will be problems of keeping the coastal elk (Roosevelt) from this expanding herd of Tule elk

dalite: The two species are separated by several...Show more →
dalite: Join the crowd

Sep 21, 2018 at 05:28 PM

mogul
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

dalite wrote:
dalite: Join the crowd

Roosevelt elk can weigh 1200lbs, Rocky Mtn elk can weigh 900lbs.....Tules are 1/2 the size

Sep 21, 2018 at 06:55 PM

wonderer
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

I'd say you came home far from empty-handed!

This is a wonderful assortment of beautiful pictures, absolutely including the first with the fog. I like all of them but kudos for that last one too--a really nice environmental group portrait. The way they blend into the surroundings (especially lying down) is a great example of how their camouflage just works.

Nice set--thanks for posting.

--Kim

Sep 22, 2018 at 04:10 AM

James McQueen
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

Awesome images.

-Jim

Sep 22, 2018 at 09:11 AM

dalite
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Point Reyes Elk (8)

My favorite is the foggy one also.
dalite: Join the crowd

Roosevelt elk can weigh 1200lbs, Rocky Mtn elk can weigh 900lbs.....Tules are 1/2 the size

______
Good scale comparison. But I still wouldn't try to get too close to a 600 lb "pygmy" elk.

Sep 22, 2018 at 04:03 PM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.