Colorado Photography of the American West

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17 January 2010

Wandering with Wapiti

A framed sepia print of a dominant bull elk guards his harem protectively.
It was a perfect winter day to drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. The sun was shining and the temperature was in the 50s. Even the wind was not blowing hard which is unusual in the winter months at high altitude. My personal mission was to find wapiti. I asked the friendly ranger at the entrance station where the elk herd was but she did not know. So I drove to one of two places that I knew the herd usually wintered. As I drove down the bumpy dirt road into Moraine Park there was not an elk to be seen. Disappointed I almost turned around to head to the other wintering meadow, Upper Beaver Meadows. Instead I decided to get out of the truck and walk to Cub Lake.

The trail was snow packed and slippery. I had not really intended on bushwhacking, so without gators and crampons, my attention was on my feet. I stopped to take in the view and noticed in the far distance across the meadow was the whole herd of over two hundred animals stretched out in a long line. My excitement rising and ill equipped feet forgotten, I left the trail plunging into knee deep snow and started toward the herd. It took some time to reach them. I approached slowly as I did not want to alarm any dominant males hanging around. Eventually two large bulls spotted me and started in my direction. Being polite, I crouched down behind some brush and waited for them to disregard me. This process went on for awhile and by then the weak winter sun was disappearing behind the ridge casting a lovely light on the river birch behind the herd. I stopped and watched as they all started to bed down for the night. It was a day to remember.



A dominant bull elk guards his harem protectively in a sepia print.
Wapiti Sepia
A dominant bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park guards his harem protectively, keeping watch as I in turn watch him. This fine art photograph has been altered to give it the look of a vintage photo that could have been taken when Rocky Mountain National Park was first established in 1915.
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As the sun begins to set behind the nearby moraine in Rocky Mountain National Park the North American wapiti, or elk, begin to settle down for the night as the sunset lights the willow birch behind them.

A framed photo of As the sun begins to set behind the nearby moraine in Rocky Mountain National Park the North American wapiti, or elk, begin to settle down for the night as the sunset lights the willow birch behind them.
Wapiti Dusk
As the sun begins to set behind the nearby moraine in Rocky Mountain National Park the North American wapiti, or elk, begin to settle down for the night as the sunset lights the river birch behind them.
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A group of elk cows, one pair looking to be a mother and daughter, watch closely for predators in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

A framed photo of a group of elk cows, one pair looking to be a mother and daughter, watch closely for predators in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
The Girls
A group of elk cows, one pair looking to be a mother and daughter, watch closely for predators in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
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15 comments:

  1. Oh Julie the shots you got are amazing! I've been to that park...many moons ago..but never forgot the beauty I saw there! Thanks for sharing your day with all of us!!

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  2. Julie hope the New Year is starting out well for you. Linda and I got some nice complements on the Christmas cards we sent out this year (from your Etsey store). Happy blogging

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  3. wow...lucky you went for that walk then!

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  4. We talk about the elk in RMNP every so often and of course every trip to Estes involved looking for elk! It was wonderful to see your beautiful photos!

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  5. Ogladając Twoje fotografie z łosiami i jeleniami wapiti przypomina mi się niezwykła atmosfera książek czytanych w młodości autorstwa Coopera lub Curwooda. Last photo is very good!;)

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  6. Oh, Julie. Your photos, as always, are sublime but your narrative...oh! I was there with you the whole time. To get in "the zone" like that, forgetting everything else and focusing on the moment, makes the memory of these photographs life-changing...like on a molecular level. You are LIVING through these photos. Oh, girl...what a day you had. A-MAZING.

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  7. Well Done! Your captures are awesome! I have never
    been to Estes Park or the National Park, but I would love to visit.

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  8. These are stunning, Julie, and most especially Wapiti Sepia!! It's absolutely amazing. How exciting to have been there. Wow!

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  9. VERY nice shots Julie! At least you can tell your feet that it was a worthwhile mission! :)

    I'm guessing it was a different herd I saw, but I've had the good fortune to witness an absolutely HUGE Elk herd too-- my extended family has a 30,000 acre ranch in WY that's been passed down the family for generations. My aunt & uncle have most of it now. I went out for a visit and on the side that borders the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, there was this HUGE elk herd one day. I have no idea how many- def. in the hundreds. They were following a trail along the side of a couple mountain hills-- their "line" seemed to go on forever!! It was awe-inspiring, but I had to be content w/ seeing from a distance b/c of circumstance. I'm so glad you went on this journey to find yours and shared it with us! Beautifully done.

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  10. Thank you all for your comments! Being in the presence of wildlife is always humbling and exhilarating! I'm glad I could share this with each of you. What did we do before internet!

    Cheers!
    Julie

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  11. Spectacular, Julie! Especially Wapiti Dusk!

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  12. The majesty of nature is breathtaking - Beautifully captured - as always ;-)

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  13. You've done it again, and just blew me out of the water. Your nature pics are just fabulous, I especially adore the last picture of the elks. Just beautiful, Julie!

    Have a super day, I can't wait to see what's next!
    God bless!!!

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  14. Without Sunlight creativity would be a dream.
    Great photograph/s. Thanks for sharing but I wish to know where to find borders for photographs. I remember once you mentioned but I lost the link. Please guide.

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  15. Hobo, here's the link I think you are looking for.

    http://bighugelabs.com/mat.php

    Good luck!
    Julie

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Contemporary photography of the cities, landscapes, flora and fauna of the American West.
Julie Magers Soulen Photography