Motif: Elk Island Elk

Posted by Paul Skoczylas on Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:44 am

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There's more to Elk Island National Park than the bison, though the bison are the easiest animals to photograph. I have very, very few pictures of elk from Elk Island. Despite the fact that they are more numerous than the bison, and despite being fenced into the park, they are far more "wild"; much more so than their cousins down the highway in Jasper. Most times when I see them, they don't stick around. I don't typically shoot elk in Jasper, but I will do so in Elk Island when I get the rare opportunity. It's a completely different ball game!

This lady was in a field with a friend and a pair of white tailed deer. (I have a pano with all four, put you'd have to play "Where's Waldo" with the deer!)

Other critters which I commonly see and photograph include moose, beavers, and porcupines. Elk Island is also a great birding destination.

Canon 20D, Sigma 50-500. Probably with the Kirk WM-2.

-Paul

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by AForns on Wed Nov 30, 2005 10:57 am

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Beautiful light on the lady Paul !!!! I like the straight on look and sweet light !!! In this case the centered in the frame head looks very good to me !!! Excellent image !!! :) :)

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by Dick Ginkowski on Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:31 am

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I know how difficult it is to find complacent elk at Elk Island...so this is special.

What's wrong with the Jasper elk?

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by Paul Skoczylas on Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:58 am

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Dick Ginkowski wrote:What's wrong with the Jasper elk?

There's nothing wrong with the elk--it's the people. I don't like shooting beside a busy highway. I don't like being watched by hundreds of people. I don't like knowing that even if I try to stay the park-mandated 30 metres from the animals, tourons will see me, and think it's okay to get closer. I don't like the thought that I'm further increasing the already high level of accustomedness of these fine animals to humans.

-Paul

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by Carol Clarke on Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:17 pm

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She's a beauty Paul!! I love her haughty stare and that 'how dare you!' expression! The light is sweet and the complementary colours in the environment set her off well. Very nice shot! :)

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by Dick Ginkowski on Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:51 pm

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Paul Skoczylas wrote:
Dick Ginkowski wrote:What's wrong with the Jasper elk?
There's nothing wrong with the elk--it's the people. I don't like shooting beside a busy highway. I don't like being watched by hundreds of people. I don't like knowing that even if I try to stay the park-mandated 30 metres from the animals, tourons will see me, and think it's okay to get closer. I don't like the thought that I'm further increasing the already high level of accustomedness of these fine animals to humans.

-Paul

Ahhh....if you were on the Yellowknife, that might be true but there are often elk in less heavily traveled places, such as the road into the Fairmont Jasper Lodge.

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by Pete Zwiers on Wed Nov 30, 2005 3:17 pm

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Paul Skoczylas wrote: I have very, very few pictures of elk from Elk Island.

Well, there's something I would have never guessed from the name of the park!

I've really got to make time to visit this place some year ... just too many great places in Alberta & BC to visit!

Looks like this lady has a nice heavy coat going. I like the light in this one ... plays well with the various hues of browns.

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by DC on Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:00 pm

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a real beauty Paul. Gorgeous light and the complimentary coloured BG make this special.

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by NDCheryl on Wed Nov 30, 2005 7:27 pm

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Lovely environmental shot. I really like the quality of the light and the colors in this one. I understand why Elk Island would be a favorite place to shoot.

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by Tim Grams on Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:43 pm

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Nice one Paul- she looks keenly interested in you. Nice details and the whites are right on.

I did a quick drive through once as I passed Elk Island. I wish I had spent more time there- it was a pretty place with the lakes and open areas. Alas, I was in a hurry to get to/from Banff and Jasper..... then to AK.

Tim
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by Nicole Brooker on Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:15 am

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The light is fantastic. Like the comp too. Great shot.

Nicole
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by milosphotos on Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:37 am

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Nice light and nicely framed. Nice to see and elk photograph with a slightly different habitat. Jasper and Yellowstone elk images can start taking on a certain "look".

Milo Burcham
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by Paul Burwell on Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:14 pm

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I love the light in this image. The warm light and the frost on the ground makes for an excellent combination.

I have been to Elk Island numerous times and have only seen Elk on the other side of the fence and so I'm envious.

My personal preference would be to crop the picture so that the head isn't in the center of the frame but I still think the picture works very well.

Paul Burwell
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