Number Ten !!!!!

[Alfred Forns]

This Elk goes by Number Ten and is one fine character, hangs around The Yellowstone Park Offices and is a terror.

Lots of incidents with this animal and twice had his antlers removed !!! I came close to becoming a victim but all turned fine .. we are buddies now !!


Comments welcome and much appreciated


Canon IDMk3
100-400 IS
f 5.6 1/320 sec
ISO 1250
Av + 2/3

[Harshad Barve]

looks like a big hunk
Lovely settings , compo and mesmerizing YSNP habitat
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

I like the calling pose Alfred, and captured in soft light. I like the surrounding grasses too. Please let us know why these guys can be aggressive.

[Steve Canuel]

I like the pose and surroundings here Alfred. Would've been nice to have him turn a little more towards you. Glad to hear you didn't end up starring in one of those elk-tourist encounter videos :)

[Alfred Forns]

Stuart the last incident he was laying down by a building and a tourist walked up to him and snapped a picture with a point and shoot ... with the flash on :) He chased him around a parked car several times till he gave up and went after the car !!!

Not sure what happened the other times. We had very little trouble with him, I just got chased around a churched (all around) for no good reason !! .. fine animal !!!

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Alfred,
Nice image. I know you are not like those tourists. Did it mistake you for an Elk (Hulk)? :D:D

In India, the Barasingha does this kind of head-up display as a sign of aggression.

The other question is what is their top speed? I am surprised that the tourist could flash him with a PnS and escaped.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Morkel Erasmus]

impressive bull! like the pose and light captured. I would rotate slightly CCW since it looks like he's leaning forward.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for the info Alfred.

[Alfred Forns]

Sabyasachi the animal was just resting on the grass, takes a little for him to get up and a full head of steam. There are signs all over the place "don't approach the elk", he probably walked right by one !!!

In my case he was by the church and the group was photographing him, the he started walking toward Fabs so I told her to move, she went across the road and I hid by the side of the church. After a minute of so, I took a peak from the side and Number Ten was peaking form the other side, just saw his head ... then he started walking after me and I had to run all the way around the church with him behind me. By the time we made it around he lost interest, never was a vicious chase :)

[DanWalters]

Nice shot. I like the soft light and the surrounding habitat. We had a elk here in Rocky Mountain National Park that was charging people. He also had his antlers removed.