Rutting Elk in the Bow Valley
A small herd of bull elk were gathered near Moose Meadows on the Bow Valley Parkway when I was there on the weekend. The frost bleached the grass and the cold air made the breath visible.
These were mature adults with massive antlers and they were putting them to use. The rut is on and these elk were challenging each other repeatedly.
They would be eating grass and then stare at another one. Soon after, they would stalk slowly towards each other and lock antlers. Once entwined, a push and a pull fight would take place. Unlike Bighorn sheep battles where they smash into each other, these were shoving matches.
It was a cold morning which made for a particularly appealing scene to watch these giants battle. The elk below was noticeably larger than the others and only one bull challenged him in the half hour that I watched. That contest seemed like more of a measuring stick for the smaller one as it was short and there was no real challenge.
He wandered off after a while heading for the trees and leaving the others to graze and continue the odd skirmish.
Christopher Martin Photography 
Great shot..!!! Great photos.., wonderful..!!!
October 28, 2015 at 7:54 pm
That some pretty neat photos!
October 28, 2015 at 2:54 pm
He is a hefty fella and majestic.I don’t know how you felt but when he faced the camera I felt a tad intimidated.Agree with Vicki about the light
October 27, 2015 at 10:46 pm
Fabulous photos and what an experience to watch. Majestic beasts.
October 27, 2015 at 9:15 pm
Superb shots. But it’s the wonderful light in the scene that really makes the images particularly good. The dark bodies against the light frosty grass and the light outlined bodies against the darker background. For sure, it must have been a great sighting of the elk locking horns and we’re all envious of that. But for me the light makes the series all that much better.
October 27, 2015 at 4:26 pm
Awesome shots! I would love to see that in person! Thanks for sharing!!
October 27, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Lovely animals and photographs. Their call is weird. But very grand. Thanks for sharing.
October 27, 2015 at 1:40 pm
That would have been amazing to watch. You preserved the action well.
October 27, 2015 at 1:33 pm