Retreating Elk, a photo from Colorado, West

Photographer's Note

Retreating Elk:

Moraine Park - Rocky Mountain National Park

I had imagined almost this shot falling into place for a long time .. Moraine Park was frequented by Elk (the park has a population that ranges up into the thousands) ... the park sits right below these gorgeous peaks .. this is Longs Peak (elevation 14,259 ft - 4345 meters - the biggest peak in the National Park ) ..

I just kept waiting for a big bull elk to pose for me under the peak ..
then one day as I was returning from a hike there he was .. not 6 feet from the little road .. I suspected it was the same guy who was here the week before and let me snap a close up shot of him about 4 feet from my car window .. I quickly got into position .. got my camera ready .. and my subject decided he had enough of me ... and headed off for his next engagement .. not quite the picture I was trying for .. but I still am fond of it.

MLINES, parbo, Buin, sothy81, Donald, Angelillo, borka, MP-Moller, danos, NickVu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

parbo (11092) 2006-12-15 20:50

Hello John,

Great story and splendid catch! Then we learnt if you can wait… ;) Your timing and carefully movement is very good because it seem you didn’t disturb him. I like also green forest and blue sky a lot with snowy mountains are really spectacular. Congratulations.

Best Regards,

Ertugrul

gunbud (34066) 2006-12-15 21:19

Hi John,
Very nice wide shot the lone elk on the flat plains. I like the blue sky above the snow capped peaks.
Regards, Tom

Buin (42580) 2006-12-16 3:04

Hallo John!
My first thought seeing this was - these colours! Great! And this clear air!
This elk must feel safe. I think here it would be impossible to get near to a deer - first of all in such an open landscape. You may be proud about this photo!
Have a nice wekend!
Frank

Emiel_Skyfreak (3002) 2006-12-16 6:41

Opposite to my shot of today, yours is very well saturated and vibrant. Cool. Also awesome that you could shoot this elk (is that the same as deer?)
Did you use a polarizer for this one? (is it possible on this cam?) Nice blue sky. Good autumn tones on the field..whilst it wasn't even autumn.
I see you've used the max of space allowed, but still detail suffered a bit, but can't blame you for that. Maybe a width of 720~750 would allow you to get just a bit more detail.
Further there is just congrats.

sothy81 (9646) 2006-12-16 14:46

Hi John, nice photo, superb colors and the detailed view makes this picture more attractive. Nice that you include the deer in it. Sothy

Donald (136) 2006-12-16 15:33

Nice one John! a good captur of that fine Elk, it would be nice if the would gives a few moments to get ready, but no just as you get the camera out and get ready, off they go!! still it let us get a look at the size that he is, and I always think any shot is better than no shot at all.
So well captured and the whole photo has greate colour DOF and is very pleasing, the Elk is extra points!!.
Cheers
Donald

Angelillo (9374) 2006-12-16 15:50

Hi John,

A very well colored light. The sunset light is very beautiful, and the shot is breathtaking (I have learned this word in a critique of you). It's really pleasant the mix of colors guiding our regard to the well detailed background. It's a moment very nice, and a very beautiful landscape. Thanks. Nice weekend,

Angel.

borka (264) 2006-12-17 0:40

Another great shot, John. I know how hard it is to capture wildlife - I have so many "deer" shots, where you can only see the "back" part of the deer :).
One quick note, I think the horizon is a bit off - maybe you can fix it in PS.
Regards,

Boris

MP-Moller (592) 2006-12-17 7:10

Wonderful image and thanks for explaining what an elk is.

danos (110407) 2007-01-05 4:11

Hi John,
Exceptional photograph with live narration by your note. A very beautiful landscape shot.The mountain with the snows and the sky 'writes'very well. I'd like,the hill with the trees to was more sharp. The afternoon light with the elf make your photograph excellent.
Friendlly,Danos

fserajian (2299) 2007-10-03 14:03

Hi John,

Nice wildlife shot, beautiful background, the snow on the mountains gives it added detail. Well done and TFS

Fara

Photo Information

Copyright: John McLaird (jmcl) (14535)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-22
Categories: Nature
Camera: Vivitar ViviCam 3746
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/150 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Mountains, Wildlife, Rocky Mountain National Park [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-12-15 19:32