9/13/14
Bugling has begun in Boxley Valley
This morning the herd bull in the south valley area began bugling. This is because a small shag bull showed up around the edges of his harem. He ran him off repeatedly and bugled a few times for good measure. The stage is set for a bull fight in the Smith Creek Field, all that is required is a worthy opponent meaning a bull of comparable size to the current herd bull. There are a few around, but none have showed up by his herd. This map shows the locations of the elk. This morning there were close to 70 animals most of which were in 2 herds.
Updated Elk Viewing Map for Boxley Valley, Buffalo National River
This is the first map for the 2014 elk rut in the Buffalo National River region. Photographers with at least 400MM glass will want to shoot these animals from the roadsides. Our elk are accustomed to spectators making them an ideal subject for photographers who visit from many states. The area is near Ponca, Arkansas and is relatively close to 50 million people though it is largely unknown. There are plenty of other things to photograph and do. Compared to other similar venues tourism is inexpensive here. Photos on this Pbase account are all from the Buffalo National River Region. Write me at Admin@buffaloriverchamber.com if you have any questions or need detailed information.
12-SEP-2014
2014 Arkansas Elk Rut is Underway
Today I saw the first legitimate herd bull in action in what we call the Smith Creek field in Boxley Valley near Ponca, Arkansas. This bull looks like a departed bull I called the Boxley Beast, a great bull with great symmetry, a big 6x6, his dad was much larger before he was shot in our annual preposterous hunt. These animals are not afraid of humans, this is one of those shooting fish in a barrel kind of things. Serious elk hunters shut these hunts. I name the bulls,I am calling this one the Son of the Beast. This is his first year as a legitimate herd bull, and he is the first for 2014. I chased his dad around for 3 years before he was shot. This is not a great picture, but I will get some good ones of him this year. It is always exciting to have the rut begin. For information on the area visit buffaloriverchamber.com or write me at admin@buffaloriverchamber.com. We are the elk capital of the south.
2014 Elk Rut Beginning Slowly
This year's very hot weather has slowed the rut. Boxley Valley, near Ponca Arkansas has 2 herds of cow elk awaiting herd bulls. Usually by now there is at least 1 bull rutting very early. Not so this year so far as I have observed. The pattern for my 6 years of watching and photographing the rut is that we are in any time now mode. This will switch overnight and soon the valley will have many bull elk and mornings and evenings will be full of the sound of bugling. It is quite a treat.
Boxley Valley near Ponca, Arkansas is a part of the Buffalo National River. This is my home ground and I love this place as a naturalist and photographer. 50 million people live within 2 tanks of gas of this place but the park remains largely unknown. It is a perfect family staycation destination with hiking trails suitable for every ability level virtually adjacent to the elk viewing areas. the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce website documents all the things to do and possible cabins to rent as well as campgrounds. Complete with GPS information. Everything is very affordable compared to national norms. All of my photography is shot in this area. My wife and I have the good fortune to have a home that backs up to the Ponca Wilderness. We have 800 feet on our back line shared wih the park. I am glad to help visitors arrange lodging or camping and provide more details on how to see the elk and take pictures of this amazing place that nobody knows about. We have many visitors who used to go to Colorado to see elk who visit here instead. Once you have had the "elk experience" you will be back. Fall is the very best time and the fall season is just beginning. You can write me at comptonphotographer@gmail.com for more information.
09-SEP-2014
This morning in Boxley Valley
The 2014 elk rut is just 2 weeks away in Boxley Valley. This morning I saw 3 small herds and no large bulls. This little guy is just a yearling and is hanging out with the cow herd. Not a breeding bull. The big dogs will be coming soon-- around the 3rd week of September to around October 1. During these first 2 weeks, the best bull fights of the year happen. It is the initial struggle for domination. Very exciting. If you can come here only once during the rut, that would be the prime time, from the 3rd week in September though the second week of October.
Arkansas Elk Rut Photo Tips
I have been photographing bull elk for 7 years. Along the way I have made most possible mistakes and learned to overcome them. The following tips should help many take much better elk pictures.
1. Most photographers are after pictures of big bull elk. They must always keep in mind that during the rut, bulls are full of testosterone and can get aggressive if you crowd them. Learn to read their body language when they feel challenged -- they will square up on you, they literally get their back up, and if you look close you can see their nostrils flare. If you create this situation back off some. This is why god created telephoto lenses. If it feels tense to you, it probably is. Trust your instinct. You will also get better pictures if you and the animal are both at ease. The picture with this entry is the Boxley Stud, a monster bull. I took it on my belly looking up at him pretty close -- I would say it was 30 feet -- too close. He is one of the dominant bulls in Boxley Valley near Ponca, AR.
2. Elk as a subject. Elk are light on top, and have dark necks and bellys. I am very aware of exposure to avoid blocking up the dark areas of their bodies. Generally it is better to set up your camera for spot metering and perhaps to over-expose 1/3rd of a stop. I always shoot in RAW because it gives me more room for error.
3. Elk as a subject II. Think of an elk in terms of its component shapes. The body as a rectangle, the Rack as a hoop, the legs as sticks or lines. I believe the best pictures come from breaking the straight lines, through body twists and turns, and legs crossing or bent at the knees. Straight on side shots look like box cars or cattle. There are reasons why sculptors show curves and twisting in their works. Think about the statuary at Bass Pro and Cabellas -- you will get the idea. Break up those straight lines.
4, Equipment. My standard rig is no tripod and my DSLR with a 100-400 zoom lens, I usually try to shoot at ISO 2000, aperture priority, +1/3 stop and at least f8.
5. Composition I go for "a day in the life of" pictures, I want a real or implied story. Also I prefer movement or two animals interacting. A good compo pulls people in. It makes people guess what the animal is feeling. It has an emotional aspect to it. It compels participation by the observer. I also love color and long tonal scales. Something special about the light. You have to observe and think to get great compos. Also pre-visualize away from the camera. Imagine your "bucket list".