I had an excellent adventure yesterday morning with Steve Creek and his dog, Rosie, photographing the Elk at Buffalo National River in Boxley Valley, Arkansas.
Young bull Elk in Boxley Valley – Canon R7, f7.1, handheld, 1/40, ISO 4000, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
The adventure started at o’dark hundred when we left Steve’s house. The bright, nearly full moon illuminated the scenery during the nearly two-hour drive. Even then, I wasn’t prepared for the beauty of the Boxley Valley in the Ozark Mountains.
It didn’t take us long to find a herd of Elk, but those Elk were behind fences, so we went looking for more. We soon found three young bulls grazing not far from the road. We stopped, got out of Steve’s pickup, and began photographing and filming the bulls.
The light wasn’t great, but we persevered. The temperature was a mere 33°F at the time, so I shivered a bit.
Bull Elk with strange antlers – Canon R7, f7.1, handheld, 1/60, ISO 4000, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 278mm, natural light
One of the young Elk bulls had strange antlers; they almost looked like those of an exotic pronghorn from Africa.
Photographing the Elk handheld was challenging because the mountains to the east blocked the rising sun for a long time, but they were gorgeous even in the low light.
I tried videoing the elk handheld, so please ignore the shake.
These young Elk bulls were grazing in Boxley Valley, Newton County, Arkansas at the Buffalo National River. It was my first time to the Boxley Valley to photograph and video the elk. At about three seconds in a bull from across the road, bugles.
Three young bull Elk grazing at Buffalo National River – Canon R7, f7.1, handheld, 1/60, ISO 4000, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 182mm, natural light
The day was wonderful. The company of Steve and Rosie was terrific, and on the way out, I was able to see the spectacular scenery of the Ozark Mountains with a touch of fall colors in the trees.
I’ll write more about the Buffalo National River soon. I did take some photos and videos of the area with my phone.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Elk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Lovely (and exotic) to see this early morn. Thank you.
Sounds like a exciting experience. What odd horns! Areas I have never seen so I enjoy seeing them from you.
Glad you finally made it up to my neck of the woods.