Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
The valley is pretty stable now in the early rut pattern. I have seen as many as three herds headed by legitimate herd bulls, the big guys. In a pattern that has frankly surprised me, the herds are concentrated up by Ponca and not down in the south valley area by the 43/21 intersection. This pattern has held now for about 2 weeks, so we will see how much things will change going forward. I have heard that there is a herd all the way down on the south end in the last fields in the valley. I have not observed this, but I have no reason to doubt it.
If last year's pattern holds, there will be a second wave of big bulls, and they will shake things up around the first week in October. I discussed this with a conservation officer this morning and we discussed this pattern. The bottom line, expect things to be pretty dynamic for a while. While the herds are loaded in the north end now, they can and could shift south fairly quickly. Be very sure to check all the way down the valley each day. While the herds will usually move only one field or two a day, but they can migrate some distance each day. I expect the herd in the far south end to move northward. I would guess, if and when the south herd moves north, it will park around the 43/21 field. That would conform to the pattern of last year.
I would also encourage visitors to check the field on the road to the Lost Valley Campground. With this north end concentration, I expect the elk to rotate into the Lost Valley field now and then. This is worth checking because it is such a good picture.
Today I had one herd move up pretty close to the fence and I got some decent shots. No fights this time, but it could have happened. There is one bull down in the valley now that is a very nice animal with nearly perfect symmetry. A decent get.
Today's pictures:
If last year's pattern holds, there will be a second wave of big bulls, and they will shake things up around the first week in October. I discussed this with a conservation officer this morning and we discussed this pattern. The bottom line, expect things to be pretty dynamic for a while. While the herds are loaded in the north end now, they can and could shift south fairly quickly. Be very sure to check all the way down the valley each day. While the herds will usually move only one field or two a day, but they can migrate some distance each day. I expect the herd in the far south end to move northward. I would guess, if and when the south herd moves north, it will park around the 43/21 field. That would conform to the pattern of last year.
I would also encourage visitors to check the field on the road to the Lost Valley Campground. With this north end concentration, I expect the elk to rotate into the Lost Valley field now and then. This is worth checking because it is such a good picture.
Today I had one herd move up pretty close to the fence and I got some decent shots. No fights this time, but it could have happened. There is one bull down in the valley now that is a very nice animal with nearly perfect symmetry. A decent get.
Today's pictures:
Boxley Valley Update 09/24/08
Satellite Bull Front Pose
Satellite Bull Backover Pose
Satellite Bull Classic Pose
Satellite Bull in Action
Cows and calves herded into fence corner by dominant bull for security.
Notes:
These edits are all over the place because of changing light conditions. More careful, customary editing will really bring them up.
These are typical scenes from the rut with the satellite bull attempting to steal cows and the dominant bull attempting to protect them. This process goes on virtually all the time when the herds are active.
Next year this bull will be big enough to be a herd bull. He has outstanding symmetry and is already an exceptional photo subject.
Everything shot here was ISO 800. The valley was really socked in with the fog today.
These edits are all over the place because of changing light conditions. More careful, customary editing will really bring them up.
These are typical scenes from the rut with the satellite bull attempting to steal cows and the dominant bull attempting to protect them. This process goes on virtually all the time when the herds are active.
Next year this bull will be big enough to be a herd bull. He has outstanding symmetry and is already an exceptional photo subject.
Everything shot here was ISO 800. The valley was really socked in with the fog today.