39 of 52: 2014

Week 39 of 52: Bugling Elk on a cool evening.

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Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent

Elk of Cataloochee Valley GSMNP

My sister has been trying to get me to “Her Mountains” for years. So this is my third trip to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). This time it is all about the Elk, of course I will also be stalking bear, otter, and maybe bobcat.

The elk are located in Cataloochee Valley over near Maggie Valley NC. The last 7.2 miles of road down into the valley is one lane gravel with 2 way traffic. It is a blast, but be careful and take your time.

Once down in the Cataloochee valley ranger road is about 2 miles long. It is broken up into 7 or 8 different large fields. Seems like a large bull Elk owns each field and keeps his harem in there.

I arrived in the valley about 30 minutes before sunrise, using my binoculars I could make out several large shapes.  Before there was usable light for photography, they started to bugle.  Pretty neat.  Cross bugling elk of my bucket list.

My first Elk:
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He is a perfect 6X6.  They score the elk by the number of points on each side.

Later I got to photograph two young bulls practicing their sparring for later in life.

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Most of the elks went back up in the woods by 8:00 am, so of course I had to go in after them.  🙂

Went back later than same day about 1:00 to find a shade tree and take a nap in the car, but people were already lining the roads backed in and setting up like their were going to tailgate.  I grabbed a spot about in the middle.  Met a ton of nice people.  Southern people just seem nicer that city folks.

Anyway on with the story.

Around 4:30 I heard a bugle, so I grabbed my gear, left the car and found this magnificent bull with his group of 4 cows.  He is an 7X6.

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Man, he really kept the girls in line.  He was in the mood for love, they are interested but not quite ready.PBKJ3227-FrameShop

Then a second bull started bugling, and the 7X6 would answer back.  I could tell the second bull was getting closer.  He was the one I was really after.  The largest bull in the valley “ole #67” an 8X7

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They met up on either side of a tree / brush line about 15 yards wide.  They both bugled, stomped, and trashed the trees.  They it was on like donkey kong!

They met head to head deep in the trees and no clear shots 🙁

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The fight moved to the other side of the tree line.  I tried like heck to get over to see the end of it.  One of the younger videographer he is going to email me name so I can give proper credit, but here is his video!

An awesome day and another bucket list item crossed off.  I’ll be going back later this week to see if I can capture a pair breeding.

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She wasn’t having anything to do with his moves or advancements.  However, when he gave up an turned to walk away, she mounted him.  Something seems backwards to me.PBKJ4193-FrameShop

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Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent

37 of 52: 2014

Week 37 of 52: Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly

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Went out looking for a Monarch Butterfly didn’t find any with all this rain, but did find this guy.  Not a monarch a more common Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly.

Only 10 days left to pledge to support my 2015 Wildlife Calendar project.  Don’t think if it as a calendar as much as a collection of 14 of my wildlife photos.

Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent

36 of 52: 2014 – Hummingbird banding.

Week 36 of 52: Male ruby throated hummingbird

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Decided to combine the photo of the week and a blog write up together.

Went down to Sugar Grove Nature Center last Saturday 8/30/2014 for the Hummingbird Festival.  I was on the first tractor pulled the wagon / trolley.  When it stopped 5 little girls all went shooting by me to a table.  By the time I figure out what was going on, they were lining up to adopt a hummingbird.  I was tenth in line.  They only caught 9, so I didn’t get to hold and release one, but Audry and I both got to feel a hummingbird’s heartbeat.

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About a week before they take down all their feeders all over their grounds, except for 3 down at the blacksmith’s shop.  Then the day of the banding, they put the feeders into the 3 remote controlled traps.  They use a remote control to shut the door once a hummingbird lands on the feeder.  They then hand catch them put them in little silk bags and carry them into the shelter.  They measure the length of the birds bill, and wings, and then put a small number band on their leg.PBKJ2553-FrameShop

An eighty year old lady was third in line to hold one.  The bird sat in her hand for almost 3 minutes.  You should have seen her smile.

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Poor little Audry only got to hold a hummingbird feather.

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Enjoy what you read and the photos? Subscribe to be notified of future posts via email by either clicking the Follow button at the bottom or the Subscribe section on the right!  Feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for stopping by, Life is good, and I am blessed!
Kent