Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
It is nearly mid-October and time to pause to catch our breath. The rut has been officially underway now for a few weeks. The elk are still bugling, but fights are less frequent. Herd bulls are pretty well stabilized and the challenger satellite bulls continue to hang around. Last year a group of very large bulls came down and took over. This may or may not happen. Time will tell.
Elk viewing and picture taking remains strong, and this will continue for at least a month or so, until well into December, perhaps even longer. I have photographed elk fights as late as December 10, but over time they diminish. My very best single day for bull flights was around October 12 last year. So we are still in it pretty well and the viewing and picture taking will be great for weeks.
Today was a pretty good shoot, but the big prize remained elusive. I try to get river shots and fights now after shooting elk for years. I take other pictures of elk, but what is good for a tourist is not so great for me.
Here are today's pictures, elk preparing to cross 43.
Elk viewing and picture taking remains strong, and this will continue for at least a month or so, until well into December, perhaps even longer. I have photographed elk fights as late as December 10, but over time they diminish. My very best single day for bull flights was around October 12 last year. So we are still in it pretty well and the viewing and picture taking will be great for weeks.
Today was a pretty good shoot, but the big prize remained elusive. I try to get river shots and fights now after shooting elk for years. I take other pictures of elk, but what is good for a tourist is not so great for me.
Here are today's pictures, elk preparing to cross 43.
Boxley Valley Update 10/10/08
Sycamore leaves in a ditch
Waiting elk bed down
Cows and calf elk waiting to cross 43
Waiting to cross highway 43
Elk herd pools close to 43 in light fog