Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Elk Photographers...



Every time I go out photographing wildlife I plan to photograph the gang that I shoot with but every time I think about it late in the week and then try and play catch up. This trip to elk country was no different. Many of the people I photographed with like Odie, Dan Swart and Bob Shank to name a few I never got a shot of. There are other that I only get to see once a year during the rut that are super people and others that I see again at SNP, all of them just complete the wildlife photography experience. I did manage to get a few of the guys I spend the most time with in the wild. The first photograph is Coy Hill of Country Captures as he gets a few shots of a bull on top of the mountain. As he was getting these photos I turned to find his brother Willard Hill of the Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer getting some video of a herd over by the log cabin. These two guys are the reason Linda gets me out of the house and her hair many times each year photographing wildlife in elk country and SNP. After finding their blogs and looking at the wildlife I contacted them a few years ago and they were kind enough to help me out on places to go for deer and elk. After meeting them they were even more kind in letting me tag along and showing me the areas first hand. I look forward every year in getting together with them to enjoy the wildlife and talk, I hope we get to do it for many more years. The last photograph is Ronald "Buckwheat" Safer, Willard introduced me to Buckwheat a couple of years ago in elk country and last year I got to try and keep up with him in the wild. Buckwheat is a great elk photographer, where I will shoot anything including photos with poor back grounds or setting Buckwheat always gets in position to get those amazing shots. Unfortunately he does not have a site but his photos can be seen from time to time in the RMEF Bugle magazine including the cover shot a couple of issues ago. This year Buckwheat had to help a friend out so I didn't get to shoot with him like last year, maybe the next trip he can get me in those good spots for some awesome photos.

Thanks guys you make the trips just that much more enjoyable.

3 comments:

bobshank said...

Great post, Brad! Like you I have good intentions of photographing the photographers I am glad to be associated with, but somehow I rarely come away with these photographs. One of the greatest pleasures I enjoy on the elk range is being with the other photographers, like you. I find they are always willing to help, share information, and are just plain fun to be around. I, too, look forward to many years of bring part of this special photographers' fraternity!

Coy Hill said...

Thanks for the kind words Brad. Shooting with you is a pleasure and like you one that I hope we can continue for a long long time.

Maybe next time you won't catch my "best side" :)

Willard said...

Thanks for the mention, Brad. It is great how more and more serious photographers are finding out about the elk photography on Winslow Hill and it is good to get together there each year.

Looking forward to seeing you in SNP soon!