Batchelor Group of Tule Elk

Nature works to return to a natural state. Highways and bridges crumble. Grasses grow up in the cracks of sidewalks pushing and pushing to make them wider. Native species work at repopulating areas where they once were found. Sometimes it is done with the help of man. Such as it is with the Tule Elk. Prior to the Gold Rush in California they were widespread in many parts of the state. During the Gold Rush they were market hunted to near extinction for their meat and hides. Luckily there was a small remnant population found in the Central Valley on one of the many, many ranches of Henry Miller in 1874. He felt the herd should be saved. From that small herd there are now over 5,700 elk found in herds in many parts of California. There are even limited hunts by special permit. Elk have been slowly returning to around Willits where I live as well. At the end of last week when I was driving to the north end of the Little Lake Valley I watched a small batchelor herd trot out of the brush. Once they got out into the open they stopped and began milling about. A closer look through my telephoto lens revealed that some were foaming at the mouth. My guess is that they had been being chased either by dogs or coyotes. As they made their way closer to the road I got some nice images of them before I drove off and left them be. God's love and blessings upon your week, chris All images were created with a Canon 7D MkII camera and a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. AV mode, ISO 800, F 8.0 shutter speeds varied. #TeamCanon, #TakenWithMyTamron

All in a Mornings Work

The little Lake Valley was full of light fog yesterday morning as I got ready to head out to do some bird photography at the Burris Ranch. On Tuesday I went out to the ranch and did some weed eating and setting up of bird feeders and perches. On the drive out I a saw one lone cow elk all by herself beside highway 101. Further on in the North end of the valley I spotted a small herd of tule elk up on a hillside. Two of the bulls got into a morning tiff. When i arrived at the ranch my photo blind was literally dripping with condensation. Luckily I had a towel with me and I wiped it down before bringing my camera gear into it. Bird activity was low, mainly because I just set up the bird feeders the day before. I photographed one really nice male House Finch. God's precious love to all, chris all images were created with a Canon 7D MkII with a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens in AV mode at a variety of settings. #TeamCanon,#withmytamron

The Joy of Bay Mud

The California gold rush brought a surge in population to the state and they demanded to be fed. First to go were most of the Tule Elk and many of the deer. When the wild game ran low they turned to raising and importing livestock. This led to a huge market for hay to feed the livestock. What better areas to grow hay than the tidal flats surrounding San Francisco Bay. Many areas around the bay were diked off and put into production for growing hay. Luckily for us today the Tule Elk are on the rebound and there are conservation efforts both underway and many already completed to return many agricultural areas around the bay back to tidal flats that are open to the free flowing waters of the bay. These areas are both rich in marine and bird life and contribute to the overall health of San Francisco Bay. Today on the way back from Oakland we stopped next to one of the recovery projects off of Highway 37 next to the bay. There were literally thousands of shorebirds feeding in the reclaimed tidal flats. I had my camera with me but I had only a short lens with me so the birds were too far away to photograph. I photographed the rich bay mud next to the parking lot instead. Oh the joys of bay mud! God bless, chris All images were created with a Canon 7D mkII and a Canon EF 17-85mm lens.

Out and About

This morning it was sunny and a positively balmy fifty degrees. I drove down into the Little Lake Valley where it was a brisk twenty-seven degrees,cold and foggy.It has been that way in the valley for the past week. I drove a loop through the valley and then did a short work out at the gym. After that I came home and failed at trying to photograph the Mountain Quail. This time at least there was some sign of them. I could hear them calling down the ridge. So on a positive note they are still up on the ridge. I also photographed some juncos bathing.Here is a mix of images from the past two days. Elk,Blacktail Deer and Juncos along with some scenics. God's light and love to all, chris

Battling Bulls

This morning it was cold and frosty. I did a loop through the valley this morning. Along the way I spotted these two Tule Elk bulls sparring. These are satellite bulls that are starting a new herd along with some cows .A great start to the day. God's love and blessings to all, chris

Being stupid or A Monday Morning Drive Gone Bad

This morning I went for a drive out Sherwood Road near Willits, Califonia looking for some elk to photograph. I found the elk herd but the big bull was up in the trees and wouldn't come down. I guess he doesn't like his photo taken.With no big bulls in view I decided to drive the eastern branch of Sherwood all the way back to Highway 101. Along the way I spotted where a good samaritan had put someones hubcap up on a fence post. Later on I photographed an old "No Trespassing Sign" that no longer had much to say. Eventually I wound my way back to Highway 101 and headed down to Willits. When I reached Reynolds Highway I made the decision to restock my bird feeders out on the Burris Ranch.
Along the way I spotted an oak tree out in the fog I thought would be cool to photograph. I pulled off onto the shoulder only to sink up to the axles on both wheels. DUH! That was smart I thought to myself. In trying to get out I realized that I was just shredding my tire that was on the pavement. Finally using my brain I gave up and called AAA for a tow truck. A CHP officer came by and checked on me and helped with traffic until the Tow truck arrived. While I waited I photographed a Grain Truck going by and fielded numerous offers to pull me out which I thought was pretty cool and shows the good nature of the people around here.

God's precious love and blessings to all,

chris

Minor League Tule Elk

This morning I drove out to the Sherwood Valley near Willits in Northern California. I went looking for Tule Elk as there are several herds on ranches out that way. I found one herd that was in heavy timber just off of the road but they were too difficult to photograph. There were two satellite bulls in a ranch pasture across the road. They were practicing for the big leagues sparring round and round pushing shoving trying to get the best of their sparring partner. Photographing elk was a great way to start the day.

God’s love and blessings to everyone,

chris

Almost to Hell and Gone

This morning I took a short drive out Sherwood Road to look for Tule Elk. Just past the gate to Spring Valley Ranch a spike and two cow elk crossed the road in front of me and jumped the fence into the James Ranch. Not the most ideal conditions but I took a documentary click of the shutter just to show that I did find some elk.

Further out the road when I got to the "Y" I took the right fork which is seven miles of twisty, steep, single lane gravel road to Highway 101. It's almost to hell and gone. Going left at the "Y" will take you to Ft. Bragg. That road is hell. Many,many vehicles have gotten stuck out there which is why they close it in winter. The right fork is doable in any most any vehicle as long as you travel slowly and don't attempt it in winter time due to two creek crossings.

The scenery out this way is incredible as it varies from mountainous oak woodlands to heavy mixed forest as you ge closer to the 101. I stopped for a couple of scenic images like the classic California Oak tree, a beautiful sunrise view to the east and one of a black wild pig trying to figure out how to get through a fence. Unusual for today's drive was the fact that I had to pull over to let a pickup go by coming the other way. That's the first time I have ever encountered another vehicle while driving the gravel section of this road.

God's precious love and blessings to all,

chris