Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
This was an interesting morning. It is pretty clear now the earliest rut is beginning. I saw two big bulls in the valley this morning at just about the opposite ends. On was way back, the other is already running cows some. So we are looking at rutting behavior kind of early, but there have been no real fights observed, and my guess is that this is a kind of normal thing. There will be challenges. There has virtually been no bugling yet.
I got pictures of the two big bulls, but the real star for the day was the great white egret again. I don't think this is a real common bird in Boxley Valley, and he (or she) is still hanging around. Today I got a number of exposures I really like that will need a bit of work in photoshop. Light is never really very good in the early morning.
The canoeists are in the valley in force today. The river is up and running pretty hard. Kyakers were evident with their hard hats ready git 'er done.
Very good elk viewing today at two locations. First, a herd with a big bull has taken up residence at the first field past the observation point. He is already running his cows. The challenges for him will come later. The second location is the last field before the mill pond. The bachelor bull herd was there this morning and a few cars were watching them. There was some sparring going on too with these little guys. They are a year away from the "big dance" (or more). Try to take in the great white egret in the Boxley mill pond. This is a pretty good opportunity to see a specie that is not so common here.
Evening viewing should be pretty good tonight, and in the near term as long as the cool weather holds. Note the beginning of fall color at the Ponca low water bridge.
I got pictures of the two big bulls, but the real star for the day was the great white egret again. I don't think this is a real common bird in Boxley Valley, and he (or she) is still hanging around. Today I got a number of exposures I really like that will need a bit of work in photoshop. Light is never really very good in the early morning.
The canoeists are in the valley in force today. The river is up and running pretty hard. Kyakers were evident with their hard hats ready git 'er done.
Very good elk viewing today at two locations. First, a herd with a big bull has taken up residence at the first field past the observation point. He is already running his cows. The challenges for him will come later. The second location is the last field before the mill pond. The bachelor bull herd was there this morning and a few cars were watching them. There was some sparring going on too with these little guys. They are a year away from the "big dance" (or more). Try to take in the great white egret in the Boxley mill pond. This is a pretty good opportunity to see a specie that is not so common here.
Evening viewing should be pretty good tonight, and in the near term as long as the cool weather holds. Note the beginning of fall color at the Ponca low water bridge.
Shameless Self-Promotion Department
My framed wildlife prints are on display and for sale at a number of locations:
Jasper
Boardwalk Cafe/Arkansas House
Cliff House Inn
Point of View Restaurant
Jasper Chamber Gift Shop
Ponca
Lost Valley Canoe Store
Villines Store (Boxley Valley)
Low Gap
Low Gap Store
Compton
Compton One Stop
Harrison
Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop
My framed wildlife prints are on display and for sale at a number of locations:
Jasper
Boardwalk Cafe/Arkansas House
Cliff House Inn
Point of View Restaurant
Jasper Chamber Gift Shop
Ponca
Lost Valley Canoe Store
Villines Store (Boxley Valley)
Low Gap
Low Gap Store
Compton
Compton One Stop
Harrison
Uncommon Grounds Coffee Shop
Boxley Valley Update 09/06/08
Runnin' for love. Expect to see a lot of this soon. Pretty good view of the big guy's rack. I am pretty sure this is the third year I have photographed this big guy.
Another of the big guys who will rule the Boxley valley this fall rut. I recognize this antler pattern as the biggest, most dominant bull in last year's fights. This is another year. If these two big guys lock up, it will be a spectacle.
This bull elk looks like he is bugling, but there is no audible sound. I have seen this behavior for some time now. I think it is worth investigating to see if bull elk can bugle above human
audibility.
audibility.
Great white egrit at Boxley valley mill pond. A really nice animal to see and photograph.
Canoeists at the Ponca low water bridge. The water is up due to very heavy rains. Note the sycamore tree is starting to turn for fall color.