Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Visual and Verbal Meanderings in Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
Morning viewing is from dawn until the sun hits the elk, about 6:45. They can quickly leave to covered areas. We are in the summer pattern now, so viewing times will generally be shorter. Show up late and you may see nothing. Evening viewing from 6:30 or so to dark.
Wildflowers
We are past peak in wildflower season but opportunities remain here and there. There are enough flowers still to do some shooting. Wildflowers are all along the streams and roadsides now. Some great butterfly opportunities. My wildflower tips.
Next Up for the Elk Herd
We are in the thick of elk calving season. Bull elk are in velvet and growing antlers fast. By mid-August (more of less), the first bulls move closer to the cow elk. There will be opportunities to see the elk scraping off the "velvet". Most years, the biggest bulls don't arrive until the rut. Plan for the rut starting mid-September. Prime time for elk viewing and capturing bull fights. This has to be one of the very best places in the US to see the bull elk during the rut. This is also the period of time for fall color. Photographers will have good shooting all day long.
Mapped Gallery of Boxley and Upper River Area
Thanks to the geniuses at Google, I have uploaded a hundred of my images and geo-located them in the actual shooting locations in the Upper Buffalo River area. This is very cool, and integrated with all types of Google Maps including satellite photos, topo, and street maps. Great resource in planning your visits and better understanding where photos are taken. Totally interactive, totally cool, totally free.
Key Local Contacts:
Ponca Elk Education Center
870-861-2432
Lost Valley Canoe, Ponca
(870) 861-5522
National Park Service, BNR HQ
(870) 439-2502 (Harrison, AR)
Tell them you read about them here. They will go, huh?? These contacts are free (for now).
Before I forget. This website is all copyrighted material by Michael Dougherty, Compton, Arkansas. Don't steal the images or written content. Those are the rules. I am real hard nosed about these things. Educators and nonprofits, please ask permission. I check websites for stolen material.
Want Prints?
Here are my prices:
4x12, framed and signed, $25.
8x10, matted 11x14, framed and signed $45 (print $25)
11x14, framed and signed, $45. (print only $35)
20x30 framed and signed, $125. canvas $250 (print $45)
12x36 framed and signed, $115. canvas $150
My prices are exceptional for canvas prints at $250 for a 20x30, $150 for 12x36 mounted on Gatorboard in a barn wood frame. My printer is Paul Caldwell, a master printer who upholds the very highest standards for quality and interpretation. These pieces are archival, and basically offered to the public at wholesale, about 50% off.
shooter@arkansasnaturephotography.com with inquiries.
Photo Of The Week
Local Galleries
My work is for sale at the Point of View Restaurant, Cliff House Inn, Arkansas House, and Chamber of Commerce in Jasper. Lost Valley Canoe in Ponca. The Villines Store in Boxley Valley. Uncommon Grounds coffee shop in Harrison.
Bull Elk Herd in Velvet at 21 & 43 6/06/09
Momma & Baby Wood Ducks Boxley Valley Mill Pond 06/07/09
New Arkansas Wildlife Photography Forum launched on 2/16/09. Join up and let's talk photography, this website, and whatever else you like. Non-commercial entries only. The link will open up in a separate window. Let me know what you think, what you would like to see.
AWP Member Forum Launched Ask Your Questions, Make Suggestions
Current Conditions
Historical Data (enter Ponca, AR)
Sunrise, Moonrise & etc.
White Winged Crows in Ponca
I have been chasing these critters for two years. Today when going for something else, I get them. There are two infallible rules of photography. First, if you don't have your camera you will see sasquatch or perhaps aliens. Second, the best way to photograph any animal is to attempt to photograph
some other animal. These are the two immutable rules of wildlife photography and you might as well accept them. These birds are pretty rare, a form of albinism that pops up here and there. Oddly, the majority of them in Newton County live right behind the Ponca Elk Education Center.
First Newborn Calf, 06/10/09 Ponca Fields
Morning Tiger Lillies Compton
July Photo & Wildlife Viewing
Right now is prime time to see baby animals of all species, including most birds. Also, this is an excellent time for butterfly photography along the roadsides on wildflowers, and in woodland trails. Many new species of wildflowers have just bloomed.
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Whitetail Buck in Velvet, 07/01/09 Compton, AR
Zebra Swallowtail
Ponca 06/14/09
Bull Fight in Boxley Valley 11/9/08 Coming Soon to Boxley Valley
2009 Elk Rut Starts Mid-September 2009, Boxley Valley
It is time to begin planning to come down for the 2009 elk rut in Boxley Valley. If Newton County is the elk capitol of Arkansas, Boxley Valley is the central attraction. There are elk in other locations, but you likely could not find them. Plan your visit now from mid-September to mid-November. This is also color season so if you want lodging, better book it now.