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26th October 2014, 12:05 PM
#1
Yellowstone Adventure
I've spent the past few day in Yellowstone National Park chasing the light. I took this series of photos within a short time of each other.
This cow elk was on the island in the background. It raised its head, stood up and started for the river bank. I held my ground.

She walked near me, completely ignoring me, but her ears were forward and she was clearly on alert.

I walked to my car and these walked out of the woods not more than 50 feet away.

I took one picture, leaned my tripod and camera against the car and got in. The elk knew that they were there without seeing them. Special moments.
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26th October 2014, 01:07 PM
#2
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
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26th October 2014, 01:12 PM
#3
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
nice set, the light it superb, very special moment with the bears ! guess thats where fieldcraft comes in, the Elk knew and took action, something you will remember for the future and hopefully it will allow you to get more shots
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26th October 2014, 02:06 PM
#4
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
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26th October 2014, 03:59 PM
#5
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Very cool wildlife shots, and adventures. Beautiful animals. You had nice warm evening light there, though the shadows in the bear image seem a little too dark to me, maybe a slight shadow lightening on that one would be worth a try? I always find it queer to hear how close wildlife will come to people in some areas? It is usually a matter of hoping they don't run/fly as soon as you see them in this area-depending on the type of animal of course.
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26th October 2014, 04:10 PM
#6
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
A great story, well captured, Chuck. The Elk weren't the only ones on alert.
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26th October 2014, 05:40 PM
#7
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Very nice captures Chuck. I would have been tempted to shoot the last one from inside the car!
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26th October 2014, 05:46 PM
#8
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Very nice light, great shots
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26th October 2014, 05:58 PM
#9
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Both of those are great shots. It is amazing how keen animals' senses are. If you are very observant, you can learn a lot from them if you know what to look for as you noticed with the cow elk. That's a little concerning that those bears were that close, especially since there is a cub involved. Wise choice to take one shot and retreat to the car. Great captures. You live in a special place to be able to travel only a short distance to one of my favorite places on the planet.
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26th October 2014, 07:46 PM
#10
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Thanks for the comments. I knew the bears where there but I thought that they were at least 100 yards away. I was going to my car to change equipment. Then the bears were very close. I was behind my car but the sow could have covered that distance in seconds. I would have taken a picture from inside the car but my camera was on the tripod leaning up against the car. I decided that I would leave it for the bear to take a picture. 
I knew something was up when the elk assumed the ears forward posture. That in the same posture they do when there are wolves nearby, only then they form a tight herd. There is no question in my mind, given the topography, that the elk smelled the bears. There was another elk nearby displaying the same behavior.
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26th October 2014, 09:44 PM
#11
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
all photo nice done my favorites #1
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27th October 2014, 11:01 AM
#12
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
The last two are nail-biting to say the least. Knowing you know and had observed these animals in the wild, I will not hesitate to go with you on a photoshoot in a heartbeat! Only people experienced in the bush like this and wildlife like you and Dan from Alaska are qualified in my books. I have learned a lot from these shots alone...and I am with Steve...I would have shot from inside the car instead...and if my tripod scratched my car in my haste, Maaco can fix it. ha!
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27th October 2014, 03:18 PM
#13
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Thank you Vaez and Izzie, let me be clear. It was faster to take the photo of the bears and leave the camera and tripod outside than to take the camera off of the tripod. My primary concern at that point was to be safe.
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27th October 2014, 04:41 PM
#14
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
'I decided that I would leave it for the bear to take a picture.'
ah but then the bear would have ownership of the photo
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27th October 2014, 06:17 PM
#15
Moderator
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Very envious of the opportunity to be there and to capture those pictures.
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27th October 2014, 07:32 PM
#16
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Awesome shots Chuck, #1 is my favourite... I love the reflection!
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27th October 2014, 08:04 PM
#17
Re: Yellowstone Adventure
Thanks for sharing. The first is also my favourite for the composition - the reflection is special.
I'm still dreaming about seeing a Brown Bear in the wild. One day next year! (under safe conditions)
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