Point Reyes National Seashore isn’t that far north of San Francisco. In fact, the northern suburbs of the city can be seen below this ridge where elk often graze. It was well past sunset when I took this picture and I had to crank my ISO up to 3200 to have enough light to record the scene. A bed of fog (of course, it’s San Francisco) settled into the valley below as the elk began to wind down another day.
Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 135mm) ISO 3200, f/2.8 at 1/25th of a second
Good question Mom. First, this guy’s antlers aren’t all that big for elk in general, but for this subspecies of elk, called the tule elk, they are pretty big. Elk are considered a deer species, like moose, and they shed their antlers every year. Antelope and other bovid species, on the other hand, have horns and they are not shed. Each season, male elk (females do not have antlers) will grow a new, and yes, bigger set of antlers than the year before. The only deer species in which the females also grow antlers is the caribou, also known as the reindeer.
Sean magnificent animals ,never thought they would be found in San Francisco I have seen them in mountains on the way to
Arizona from New Mexico you have captured their strength and endurance and beauty still left in nature.
Aunt Sue
Thanks Aunt Sue. Yes, there is a small population of this subspecies of elk — called the tule elk — that live in this one small area. You have to make a bit of an effort to get to the place where they graze. They are quite a bit smaller than the average elk in other parts of the country.
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Beautiful picture, Sean.
Thanks Rick.
A real stunner. Simply great exposure control of this marvelous scene, complete with interaction between the pair of elk.
Thanks Michael, this one at full resolution really shows the high ISO capabilities of the D700.
great pic. I have been to that area in san ffrisco.
Beautiful
Once claimed for kings—-Tectonic force does carry us on—-Guided by noble beasts.
Gorgeous, Sean. Is that an unusually large set of antlers on this elk? Do the antlers grow as the animal ages?
Good question Mom. First, this guy’s antlers aren’t all that big for elk in general, but for this subspecies of elk, called the tule elk, they are pretty big. Elk are considered a deer species, like moose, and they shed their antlers every year. Antelope and other bovid species, on the other hand, have horns and they are not shed. Each season, male elk (females do not have antlers) will grow a new, and yes, bigger set of antlers than the year before. The only deer species in which the females also grow antlers is the caribou, also known as the reindeer.
Sean magnificent animals ,never thought they would be found in San Francisco I have seen them in mountains on the way to
Arizona from New Mexico you have captured their strength and endurance and beauty still left in nature.
Aunt Sue
Thanks Aunt Sue. Yes, there is a small population of this subspecies of elk — called the tule elk — that live in this one small area. You have to make a bit of an effort to get to the place where they graze. They are quite a bit smaller than the average elk in other parts of the country.
absolutely gorgeous!!
Thanks Amanda.
Wow. This is a beautiful shot Crane!!
Fabulous photo. I always enjoy your information about your subjects as well. Thanks for making this site my first “need to see” each day.
Thanks Christine. Nice to hear.
Stunner! I’ve been to Point Reyes several times, but never imagined such a sight. Thank you.
Hi Sarah, yeah, this was quite a day. Everyone else that was there left as soon as the sun went down but I stayed around to photograph the elk.
Just magical.
Fantastic Sean, gorgeous lighting and really beautiful scene to paint :o)
Beautiful work Sean. Just curious: Is that D700 a full frame sensor?
Really lovely, Sean. Thank you.
Like the opening scene of a Disney Nature film.