Bull elk crossing the Athabasca River Flats, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling across the Athabasca River, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling and his early morning breath, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

6x6 bull elk, standing atop a ridge, missing brow tines, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk in the forest, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling in the northern forest, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Massive bull elk standing in a meadow, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk, 7 point rack and morning light, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling in the early morning llight, Jasper NP, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling and a foggy breath, Canadian Rockies, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk, rut, posturing, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling along the Athabasca River Flats, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk posturing, rutting behaviour, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk posing, the rut, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk posturing, Jasper NP, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk posturing, showing his rack, Canadian Rockies.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling, horizontal images, Jasper NP, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk bugling, horizontal images, Jasper National Park, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk during the rut, bugling and calling, Jasper NP, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk and his bugle, Canadian Rockies.

Cervus Elaphus

Vertical image of a bull elk posturing, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk and last light of the day, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk posturing, headshot, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Bull elk portrait, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Cow elk poised on a rocky gravel bed, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Cow elk and flowers along the Athabasca River Flats, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Young elk calf mounting a cow, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Cow elk grazing Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Cervus Elaphus

Would you like to see more photos of elk? Visit my new Stock Photo site for a comprehensive collection of 300 elk photos.

Mature bull elk can be immense: over a thousand pounds, sporting an antler rack over 5 feet across and weighing over 45 pounds. The rich chocolate brown of their collared throat contrasts with the glowing buckskin of the rest of their body. Nostrils flared, heads tilted, chest puffed out and bugling for all they're worth, it's hard to imagine a more majestic and imposing animal. No wonder that every wildlife photographer I know is addicted to the bull elk rut. Simple portrait-style images are enough, but couple that with the lure of images of bulls fighting, flehmen, bugling, posturing, resting, posing, strutting, breeding, and it's hard not be addicted. I don't think I've enjoyed shooting photos of any animal more than the great bull elk.

Of the rutting bull elk, Author Richard J. Goss once wrote, "an extravagance of nature, rivaled only by such other biological luxuries as flowers, butterfly wings, and peacock tails". I have to agree with Richard. Shooting images of bull elk during the rut, which starts in early fall and runs through, typically, until November, is an experience that gets the adrenalin going, but also drenches one with spirit. Such majestic animals, the crisp morning air of a Rocky Mountain in the fall and that sound - there's really nothing quite like it. The very mountains themselves seem to come alive at the symphony of rutting bugling bulls. I'm addicted, and I eagerly look forward to each coming fall with the hopes of being in the right place, witth the right gear, at the right time, and making some great bull elk images. Until then, I wait and wait - something any nature photogapher spends a lot of time doing.

For more bull elk images and photos, visit this page, and I also have some elk photos, including a nice bull with his band of cows, on the Wildlife 3 page. For a comprehensive collection of over 200 elk images, visit my new stock photo site, Skolai Images.

Through my photography I have learned a great deal about animals, about plants, about the land, about myself, and about our culture. I would like to hope that in viewing my images, some sense of the vitality of the essence of life comes through, and my audience can begin to somehow develop a deeper appreciation for the plants and animals and landbase we share this experience of life with. Thank you. -- Carl Donohue, Nov, 2005.

I'm constantly working towards furthering my stock lists, and improving my portfolio. These images are all of wild subjects, in their natural environment. Each photo is available for stock use, and photographic prints, screensavers, note cards or calendars are also available. To order any of these pictures, or for complete stock photo lists, drop an email.

This gallery of images is a collection of photographs taken by Carl Donohue. All images on this site remain the property of Carl Donohue Photography, and are fully protected by federal and international copyright laws. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited, and any reproduction copying, manipulation, alteration, saving or distribution of these images will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. All images are available for licensed use; to do so, please contact Carl via email or phone # (770) 952 4549. Thank you.