Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Photo & Video => Topic started by: Tom Reichner on September 28, 2009, 12:46:01 PM

Title: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 28, 2009, 12:46:01 PM: I spent the better part of last week down in Colorado photographing the elk rut. It was a wonderful experience, with rutting activity basically going on all day long. The population there is quite dense, which means that harems are close together and there is alot of competition between the bulls. There aren't the huge B&C caliber bulls that can be found elsewhere, but these bulls are quite a bit of fun to "shoot", despite the moderate antler sizes.

I have many images which still need to be downloaded and processed, so I'll add more images to this post as time permits. Here are a couple to get things started:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: WDFW-SUX on September 28, 2009, 12:47:54 PM: Where abouts did you take the photos?
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 28, 2009, 12:50:29 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on September 28, 2009, 12:47:54 PM
Where abouts did you take the photos?
:rolleyes: ;)

Amazing shots Tom. They look like big bulls to me... :dunno:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: coop2424 on September 28, 2009, 12:51:14 PM: Nice picture can not wait to see the rest.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: WDFW-SUX on September 28, 2009, 12:54:28 PM: kawuneeche valley, Estes park?...
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 28, 2009, 01:01:31 PM: Quote from: WDFW-SUX on September 28, 2009, 12:47:54 PM
Where abouts did you take the photos?
In the park - Rocky Mountain Park. Most all of the photos were taken on the east side, as there was so much snow my first night there that they had to close the Trail Ridge road, so there was no way to get over to the west side of the park from where I was staying.

The best locations were out in the flat in Moraine Park, as well as the swampy areas in West Horseshoe Park. Unfortunately, they close these areas to hiking from 5pm 'till 7am each night. So any evening photography must be done form the roadside :( That's why I was glad to find the elk active throughout the entire day, so that I could get back into the backcountry for better photos.

Here's another pic:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: WDFW-SUX on September 28, 2009, 01:03:38 PM: Nice work.. I have a place in Grand Lake and love going to look at them this time of year. My favorite is the Holzworth site just out of grand lake.. :tup:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Elkpiss on September 28, 2009, 01:25:25 PM: They look like big to me too.. 8)
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Houndhunter on September 28, 2009, 02:44:51 PM: seeing some of you photo guys pics is prob my fav thing about this site, very cool pics
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: tlbradford on September 28, 2009, 02:49:22 PM: Great shots Tom. Thanks so much for sharing. Is that snow or bugs in the second photo? If its bugs, I hope you had a thermacell with you.

Quote
Is that snow or bugs in the second photo? If its bugs, I hope you had a thermacell with you.
Nevermind, I read the caption. :bash:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: mossback91 on September 28, 2009, 03:11:07 PM: awesome shots!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 28, 2009, 04:10:07 PM: Awsome bulls and pics! :drool:
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: MtnMuley on September 28, 2009, 04:18:43 PM: Unbelievable pics as always!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: bow4elk on September 28, 2009, 04:20:35 PM: Very nice shots!! I've got 16 points in CO and can't wait to draw that oh so special tag. I lived there a couple years in the 90's and spent some time in at the Park. It's a great place for elk and sheep photography. Some jerk shot and killed the local legend bull there a several years ago. He was enormous!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Ricochet on September 28, 2009, 05:07:39 PM: Great work, Tom. Sounds like you had a productive trip. Keep 'em coming!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: shanevg on September 28, 2009, 08:20:14 PM: Awesome pics Tom! I spent some time there this summer, it is a really great spot.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: PacificNWhunter on September 28, 2009, 08:25:44 PM: Great pictures!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: bucklucky on September 28, 2009, 08:27:52 PM: Great pictures as always!!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 11:38:00 PM: Stunning photos Tom. Your shots blow me away and give me something to strive for.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 29, 2009, 12:43:23 AM: Thanks for the kind comments, everyone - they're appreciated. I had so much fun doing this that I'm already planning to go back at this time next year.

Quote from: Ricochet on September 28, 2009, 05:07:39 PM
Keep 'em coming!

Okay, here's another pic. I'll add more as I get them downloaded (still not done with that).
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: boneaddict on September 29, 2009, 06:16:07 AM: This not being able to see pics at work is going to be the death of me between you and Timber. Hopefully by next week I will have wheels and will get out. Until then I am living vicariously through you guys.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: h2ofowlr on September 29, 2009, 07:07:23 AM: Great pics. Nice looking bulls.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: tlbradford on September 29, 2009, 08:49:11 AM: Quote from: h2ofowlr on September 29, 2009, 07:07:23 AM
Great pics. Nice looking bulls.

Great capture Tom. The lighting, background, subject. I like everything about it.
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: robb92 on September 29, 2009, 09:31:08 AM: Great pics!!!! Thanks for posting them!
Title: Re: Rutting Bulls in Colorado - more pics added!
Post by: boneaddict on September 29, 2009, 08:04:01 PM: Quote
Stunning photos Tom. Your shots blow me away and give me something to strive for.

Double ditto!