One of the cornerstone species in Jasper NP are the Elk. They're especially plentiful near the Jasper townsite and during most of the year, they are quite approachable. However, during two periods--calving season is one-- they can be quite unpredictable and therefore dangerous. The rutting season is the other. The males are at their peak physical stature when the rut begins. It's a good thing because they'll need their physical prowess when competing with other bulls for the right to mate with as many females as possible. The ensuing rut is a continuous cycle of challenging, fienting, and fighting. From dusk, throughout the night, and through mid-morning, these males will bugle their challenges to others. They stake their claims on territory and groups of females. Their quest is to deny all others any chance at mating while simultaneously maximizing their own chances. It's sounds quite strenuous.

All of this activity attracts another beast, the human tourist. Their quest is to be a part of the action as much as possible. Though their goal may to be passive participants in the Elk spectecal, inevitably they're thrown in to the action themselves. Approach a little to close, a bull decides you're trying to challenge his territory or rights. He'll set the matter straight. Just so there's no confusion, a rutting bull Elk will let you know who he thinks is on top. No question, approach Bulls at your own risk.

The morning I took this image started well before dawn. It was the end of my weekend trip to Jasper and packing up the tent was one of the pre-dawn chores prior to searching for Elk. Finally hitting the road just prior to sunrise, I hadn't thought too much of where to search for these animals. The previous day, I found a stream of photographers walking across a field towards the suspected location of a Bull. This time I didn't have anything to guide me except for my own luck. Since my dog--hs name is Hooker--eats in the morning, I stopped on the road side to give him his morning breakfast. Hooker's motto is never miss an opportunity to remind someone that may have forgotten to feed you. Barking dogs just don't gel in the spectacular natural settings in Jasper NP. Anything I can do to quite mine, I try it. This morning, I hoped feeding Hooker would last the morning.

As I exited the car, a Bull Elk bugle inturrupted the morning silence. It sounded like it came from just across the street--he really was across the street. I couldn't actaully see him from the car but he was standing in a small wood only 200 yards away. Despite the excitement of the coming encounter, I fed the dog. He deserved his morning breakfast. After my dog was completely satisfied, I grabbed my gear and made my way across to the suspected woods.

There he was. A solitary Bull letting the world know who was in charge. He slowly walked into an opening and promptly made a day bed to settle in for the morning. I'd never seen an Elk make a day bed before. First, he thrashed the ground with his antlers. Then he urinated on his freshly toiled soil. Let me just say, he drenched his new bed with "gusto". Then he promptly rolled around in his new creation. After a couple of rolls, he sat there appparently content with his new creation. As awesome as this was, I didn't record the event. The light levels were too low. Even though the sun was "officially" up. It hadn't crested the surrounding mountains and the conditions didn't allow for photography. Oh well...

Eventually, the light improved enough to bathe the area in a golden glow. This Bull didn't appear to be disturbed by my presence. As the sun rose, he just lay in his bed conserving his energy. Not long after the sun crested, other photographers appeared to share my experience. Unlike the previous day, these photographers kept a respectful distance. I think more than any reason, I set the distance being the first on the scene.

As the morning wore on, other photographers came and went. I stayed hoping something would happen with this Bull. Eventually, he rose and made his way up the nearby slope. I scrambled parrellel to his route--keeping a respectful distance of course. Just prior to entering the woods, he made one last bugle (this particular image), scanned the area, and then disappeared among the trees. Overall, a wonderful morning.

Cheers

Tom