The Creation: Majestic Elk and a Foolish Photographer.

Jasper National Park used to be a great place for an animal lover to visit starting in late August.   That is when the bull Elk rutting season begins, and it was not unusual to see many bull and cow elk near the townsite, as there were many cow elk with their calves spending the summer in the campsites that are near the townsite.  Every evening, as dusk was setting in, we used to go and park the car near the underpass that leads to town.  It wasn't long before this particular bull arrived on the scene with his cows.  The lighting isn't the best in this photo but you can see how huge his antlers are.

However, there are always foolish people around who just have to get as close as possible to take their photo when waiting in the car with a good telephoto lens produces better results.  In the photo below, this fellow decided to try and get closer and right after I took this photo the bull chased him away.  This man was very lucky that he wasn't gored, or stomped to death, but I do think that the reason he wasn't is because this particular elk is so used to cars and people because he chose to hang around the townsite... 

We haven't been to Jasper since 2010, so I don't know if the elk are still so easily seen.  I do hope so.