Elk in Fern Canyon

[create_destiny]

On the last day of camping we got up early and headed over to Fern Canyon. I wanted to get some pics of Touchdown Buddha in the morning light because otherwise his light is too powerful to behold (translation = photographer doesn't know how to eliminate annoying glare from Buddha's body).

When we got to the trailhead there was an elk munching down on some grass about 30 yards from us. We broke out the cameras and starting shooting away. I figured he would bolt any minute, but he didn't. After ohing and ahing for a good 20 minutes and taking a zillion photos, I took off down the trail with Touchdown Buddha, tripod and camera in tow. Spent maybe an hour or so propping Buddha up all over the canyon and capturing his giddy glory. Still too damn shiny even in low light, and yes I manually bracketed the exposures. He's just kind-of like Jesus on Mount Tabor that way, his light will knock you on your ass.

When I got back to the trailhead, that elk was still there, munching away and trashing a tree with his antlers. I took some more pics, this time with the tri-pod and we hit the road.

Comments

[ygolonac.livejournal.com]

Maybe you should paint Touchdown Buddha a flat pink color or something so he doesn't glare so much.

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

I've thought about spraying him with a clear matte finish. Some how that seems wrong....

[faerieariel.livejournal.com]

great pics - that moose is huge! As for tdb and his belly glare, I think you're supposed to have someone standing just out of frame with a big black umbrella or something, but I'm not a pro either, I'm usually the one holding the thing.

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's worth experimenting with. Thank you. I'll need an assistant to carry all my gear. Know any suckers? ;)

[ygolonac.livejournal.com]

And I think the elk was thrashing those bushes because he was trying to scrape the velvet off his antlers.

[bug-311.livejournal.com]

OOh! I want an Elk of my very own! :) I would kiss his cute nose.

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

Easy, watch the antlers....

[gracegiver]

amazing. I would think elk would be much more shy around humans than even deer.

I love that you call this statue Touchdown Buddha. Makes me laugh every time i see it.

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

Oh good! I love his pudgy happy little face.

[1gr8poetess.livejournal.com]

Love it! Gorgeous photos.

[whosplittheatom.livejournal.com]

That Buddha reminds me of the lawn gnome that traveled all over the world that one time.

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

minus the cheese, right?

[whosplittheatom.livejournal.com]

Oh, did the lawn gnome travel with cheese? I wasn't aware of that.

Or are you making fun of my Taco Bell ordering habits?

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

I'm just saying that Touchdown Buddha is way cooler than a traveling garden gnome.

[anodyne19148.livejournal.com]

I love the elk. He's like, "Yeah, I'm an elk. I'm eating stuff. Nothing to see here. Move along."

[petunias-petals.livejournal.com]

beautiful beautiful and thank you for going to the coast so much on our behalf. i love it. isnt is funny that that hefty guy is kickin around cali, i'm so used to seeing little chi chi wa wahs everywhere!

[createdestiny.livejournal.com]

I wonder if when I'm an old woman I'll talk about the time before elk were extinct.....I hope not.