Last shot from the Elk rut of 2021. I posted a shot of this big guy the other day - the king, in his moment of glory - and it seems appropriate to end with him proclaiming his sovereignty.

I still have a few more to share from this trip: small critters and landscapes.Quieter, less dangerous, and more contemplative pursuits, nonetheless worthwhile. Stay tuned...

Photographed in Jasper National Park, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2021 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Elk Wapiti Cervus canadensis wildlife animal mammal ungulate male bull antlers huge dominant the king bugling rutting season rut rain wild nature mountains forest trees river Athabasca River Jasper National Park Rocky Mountains Canadian Rockies Alberta Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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Pelicans are a little easier to focus-track, because they move relatively slowly. I would call them almost stately.

Photographed at Pakowki Lake, Alberta. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2015 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos wildlife bird flight flying wingspan huge beautiful wild nature prairie Pakowki Lake Alberta Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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From my film days: hiking Wilcox Pass in Jasper National Park, I heard some loud cracking reports - hollow banging sounds that carried across the rolling terrain. It could only mean one thing, and so I followed my ears until I found a small band of bighorn rams. They were unconcerned as I sat down nearby to see what might happen next. This big fellow is showing a nice lip curl...

Scanned from the original Fujichrome Provia 100 slide, push processed one stop to ISO 200, September 1998.

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Tags:   Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis wildlife animal mammal ungulate herd ram lip curl rut horns wilderness wild nature Rocky Mountains Canadian Rockies Wilcox Pass Jasper National Park Alberta Canada Flickr'sBestCreatures Explored

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Photographed at Pakowki Lake, near Etzikom, Alberta. Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission © 2014 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis wildlife bird diving bird water lake wild prairie Pakowki Lake Alberta Canada copyrighted James R. Page

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The Golden-mantled may be our prettiest ground squirrel, with its rich blonde, brown and black markings. It is often mistaken for a chipmunk, but a chipmunk's stripes extend across the face while the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel's do not.

Although I went to Jasper specifically for the elk rut, I'm always open to other options - from macro to landscape to self-portraits on a rainy day (yesterday's post). As for the rain, it was never a problem as I have appropriate gear (clothing, good tent, etc.) and in many situations I prefer soft light. Another way to put it: the light is always good for something, and it's our job as photographers to figure out what that may be.

Photographed in Jasper National Park, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2021 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

Tags:   Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Callospermophilus lateralis wildlife animal mammal rodent cute rocks rock pile rock slide area habitat wild nature Jasper National Park Alberta Rocky Mountains Canadian Rockies Canada copyrighted James R. Page NOT a chipmunk

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