Latest Photos November 22, 2009.

New photos were added today, November 22, 2009.  They included several additions to the "Wildlife" Gallery and one new image to the "Raptor" Gallery.

The Elk images in the Wildlife Gallery were taken in September-October of this year in the mountains above Benzette Township, Pennsylvania.  I spent five days in this beautiful and peaceful area and stayed at Winslow Meadow Lodge.  The lodge was exceptionally comfortable, with a host of amenities!  It sits right in the wild elk herd range.  On most evenings when I returned home there would be elk lounging and grazing in the yard.  On my last night there were two Bull Elk bugling on the edge of the front lawn.  After shutting off the lights, I could see one Bull Elk on the front yard and another just off to the left of the driveway. 

Elk are marvelous creatures to watch and photo providing that care is taken not to put yourself in harms way.  Of course Bulls have large antlers and heavy weight too.  They can do serious damage to us humans if we forget that they are wild and get too close.  Females or Doe's can also inflict pain/suffering by using their sharp and pointed feet to kick.  I witnessed two female's combat skills one afternoon when they got into a disagreement.  Both stood on their hind legs and repeatedly struck out with their front feet.  They were not really serious as they were not standing close enough for either to hit it's mark.  But it sent me a reminder of their power and ability to defend themselves. 

I saw several people take risky chances trying for "nice" photos of the Bulls.  If you get the chance to go see them, please keep in mind that they can drive an antler into a RV, so our human flesh is no match at all!

My new Raptor post is an Osprey.  This one is in flight and clutching a small fish.  I'm not positive of the type of fish it has caught but it looks like a Crappie.  This image was taken in Chester, Virginia, at Dutch Gap Conservation Area.   This Conservation Area is off Route 10, between Chester and Hopewell, Virginia.  It holds different Ducks and Geese during late Fall/Winter.  I saw the Osprey over several days at this location.  It may have been feeding prior to it's migration out of the area. 

Well that's it for now, I'll add more a bit later.

Les