elk | kritterspix

Let there be snow

Posted on January 3, 2023January 5, 2023 by kritterspaw

Finally, a REAL snowstorm! We got over a foot of snow. It clung to the trees and weighed down her heavy branches, coated the forest, and drifted along the roads. There is something so beautiful about fresh fallen snow.

The animals came out to enjoy the cool, refreshing white powder. As did we, following animal tracks and plowing new ground along our unplowed roads.

The accompanying wind blew snow in every direction as the storm took hold and wouldn’t let up.

By the next day, we had some real accumulation and forecasts for more. Bring it on! We can use all we can get, as the snow feeds our animals, our forest and her trees, and our rivers and lakes. Without it, our environment and animals are at risk. Let it snow!

For more snow pix, check out my post here … https://kritterspaw.com/2023/01/05/dr-seuss-trees/

Mogollon Rain

Posted on July 27, 2022 by kritterspaw

With our monsoons brewing, this is a great time of the year to capture awesome clouds and weather.

So we headed out to the Rim to see if we could capture some interesting photos. While we were actually thinking we would get fog after the previous day’s rain. We were just greeted with more rain, and a few elk.

We always consider it a gift whatever we might get. No matter what, it’s always a good day out and beautiful trek through the forest.

Snow Shelter

Posted on March 12, 2022March 12, 2022 by kritterspaw

Animals shelter when the temperature drops and the snow flys. They hunker down and protect themselves from the elements and predators seeking food sources.

So when the storm is over, we go out searching for critters coming out of hiding to gather food.

I always laugh as we bundle up to be the first ones out in the fresh fallen snow looking for animals. It seems like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but we are more lucky than not, and often find a number of wildlife, and even manage to get their picture (though not always).

… and luck is the apropos sentiment, as we leave our home and debate, ‘which direction should we go today’?

I admit to being very fortunate when we go out, but we also go out a lot, are prepared for what we might encounter, and tenacious enough to keep trying even if we aren’t successful the first time. They say, fortune favors the bold, in our case it favors the tenacious photographer.

Photography is like Golf

Posted on February 25, 2022 by kritterspaw

Photography is like golf, or any sport or hobby for that matter. You know, when you get that really great drive, perfect putt, or if you’re so lucky the coveted hole-in-one. It’s euphoric, and keeps you coming back for more.

That’s how I feel when I get that great shot. We go out every time it snows, looking for animals, hoping for that great encounter to capture.

With over 2′ of snow, we were hopeful that the ‘day after’ would bring the animals out foraging for food. We even saw a fleeting bobcat, but alas, didn’t get a photo. Darn!

But we did manage to see elk and deer. It makes me want to go out again! Bring on more snow.

First Snow

Posted on January 1, 2022January 2, 2022 by kritterspaw

We got our first snow of the new year… woohoo. We were happy to get about 6″ overnight.

So we went out looking for animals, hoping to get some snow animal pix… and we weren’t disappointed.

We encountered a large herd of elk lounging around the falling snow.

We also saw a buck foraging in the snow.

… and were thrilled to find some big horn sheep.

I guess what they say is true, you have to seek to find. I’m so glad we ventured out and found animals enjoying the new snow.

See more animal / snow pix here… https://kritterspaw.com/2022/01/02/weather-promises/

Best of 2020 – Animals

Posted on January 12, 2021January 12, 2021 by kritterspaw

I like to review my year’s photos to consolidate the best of the year.

I posted my Best of 2020 – Landscape photos here… https://kritterspaw.com/2021/01/12/best-of-2020-landscape/. Now it’s time to review my animal pix. It was a good year for animals, as we saw a lot of different types.

Big Horn Sheep

We were lucky enough to see this beautiful herd of big horn sheep as we left Alstrom Point. We saw the herd in the distance, so drove ahead of them, and I walked out behind a rock to see if I could sneak up on them. I’m not sure who was more surprised when we saw each other as I crotched down from behind a ridge – me or them. It was a fantastic moment.

Coyote

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of coyote. They are scavengers and corral & hunt my precious deer and elk. So I’m just as happy not to see any. But I did this year, and got a decent photo that makes the cut.

Kit Fox

We don’t see many fox, so I was thrilled when we saw this pup this year. So cool!

Deer Fawn

All babies are cute, especially the 4 legged animal variety!

Javelina

Speaking of babies… it was super cute to get so see this affectionate family of javelina with new born babe.

Elk baby

And elk baby, or calf.

Elk bull

The next best thing to new animals (at least for us), or baby animals, are those big boys… elk bulls

Deer Buck

and bucks…

The cuter and better expression, the better!

Chipmunk

I got a ton of chipmunk pix this year, they were just too darn cute.

Deer Doe and fawn

And finally, pretty much any animal in the snow. Just wish we had more of it!

Visitors

Posted on October 24, 2020October 24, 2020 by kritterspaw

It’s been a busy week here on the mountain. A change in weather tends to bring the animals in, and this week they have come.

We have had a javelina family, and fox.

Big bull and little buck…

Now all we need is some snow!!!

Babe in the Woods

Posted on July 20, 2020 by kritterspaw

The babies are back!

Our elk baby sightings have been fleeting since the Tinder Fire hit us two years ago now…. that is, until now.

I was so excited to see a herd of elk momma’s with babies in tow. Seeing their tired and beat up bodies, I wondered that their absence wasn’t so much the fire, as predators. One elk baby had a gash across her back that was bigger than she was. It’s amazing she survived whatever attacked her.

Watching their interactions and cute newness, was a real joy.

I hope they’ll be back, and bring their babies with. I can never get enough of these precious animals… they just make my heart feel good.

Snow Critters

Posted on December 4, 2019December 4, 2019 by kritterspaw

Moqui Snow_IR.jpg

This last storm met the predictions of the weathermen who projected 2′ of snow.

With it, brought animals looking for food.

It was great fun to see this little baby deer enjoying it’s first snow. It reminded me of Journey when we get snow, as she runs around and loves to ‘snorkel’ in it.

elk snonose_IR.jpg

There is something so pristine and beautiful about the new fallen snow… apparently the animals think so too.

sno whiskers_IR.jpg

I suppose the cold white stuff is a novelty for them, something they don’t see often… so it’s new, fun, and refreshing as they walk through the cool stuff. Like a new toy, it’s invigorating and exciting. Whatever it is… it’s a pleasure to see happiness at any time or place. Bring it on.

Sunrise Snow_IR.jpg

Morman Lake Elk

Posted on June 27, 2019 by kritterspaw

morman lake elk pool_IR.jpg The herds of elk come mingle about in Morman Lake every year. One can see them from Forest Road 3 on the way to Flagstaff. The new borns play in the grass, and the moms laze around in the soggy dirt.

I watched this one little guy very quizzically stalk a blue heron.

The young elk was very amused by this strange looking long necked ‘thing’ strutting around in the weeds.

The blue heron, on the other hand, didn’t think the curiosity or affection was quite as amusing. I watched the elk follow that blue heron around the pools at Mormon Lake, and the other elk soaking up the water. Nature at it’s finest!