On a whim, a photographer friend of mine and I went to Ponca to photograph some of the elk. It's the rut (mating season), so there's been a lot of male elk (bulls) fighting over the ladies (cows). While we didn't see much activity and certainly no fighting, we got a few shots of a big bull elk grazing in the wee hours of the morning.

With my camera actually WITH me on my commute into the office after Ponca, I stopped to grab a quick shot of a red-tailed hawk and a scissor-tailed flycatcher.

Nice, John! I knew it was getting close to time for the mating season for the elk. May have to take the trike down to Ponca! lgnelson · 2011-09-15: 20:45

The elks are always impressive, but I love the incredible shot of the flycatcher! How adorable is that?? djnana · 2011-09-15: 21:16

nice set, nice shots digitalideas · 2011-09-15: 21:39

Hunting season here, still in the high country. Remarkable capture!!! nssco50 · 2011-09-16: 00:51

nice shots. The flycatcher is cute Lynda · 2011-09-16: 03:32

I wouldn't want to get too close to that guy!!! Great shots! DancingDolphin · 2011-09-16: 13:01

Great post! Love the last shot.. SunFlower1990 · 2011-09-16: 21:17

Tagged: ponca elk rut hawk flycatcher birds foul photography trip