Wet Dreams in the White Mountains

[Bean Counter]

Well it happened today for the first time in my life as an outdoorsman--I found my way amidst several bull elk bugling and battling for territory.  These photos taken in the White Mountains of Arizona. Just north of the Salt River Canyon. I had at least three bugling elk, and I found their watering hole. Nice that I could finally smell them for a change. The smaller satellite bull let me walk, nearly upright, camera in hand, to about 25 yards from him. Third bull was behind me, up on a cliff, and behind some trees. I probably interrupted what would have been an interesting fight.

Enjoy!

[Bean Counter]

Any idea what the big boy would score? 330?

[Lowedog]

Hard to tell with those pics but I think 330 would be conservative.  Very cool to be among them when they are rutting!

[boneaddict]

I think 330 is a great conservative guess.   Probably would tape a little better.  FUN bean counter.  I love that country down there.

[Bean Counter]

Hard to tell with those pics...

But what he's really trying to say is: Your camera sucks, Bean Counter! 

LOL alright--better lenses on the way, I promise. These were with the wife's Canon Rebel XTi with a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. 

[Decker]

I have noticed with that lens that the auto focus can be somewhat inaccurate. (Don't get me wrong, I have one and it's a great unit, especially for the price.) If I had to guess though, I would not say that the lens is the cause of the blurriness. Even with a narrow depth of field at f/1.8 I don't think the auto focus is going to miss at that distance. Due to the same fuzziness on both pictures (and the nature of large antlered animals) I would say the culprit is most likely low light  and the auto feature setting the exposure too long for a hand-held shot.

Really nice bull, and I would say 330 is definitely a good way to avoid ground-shrinkage. (I would guess he's in the 345-350 area)

[Bean Counter]

Thanks for the tips, Decker! I had plenty of time to switch to manual focus and try a few of those out so I will definitely do that next time.

I'd better take note, esp when I make a December trip to the Kaibab and photograph some Mullies in the rut.  I can just imagine the  I'll get from Bone if I put up blurry pics of those!

[MtnMuley]

Great pics Bean Counter.  Solid 350 gross imo.