Young Bulls [Photo of the Day]
Uploaded: October 09, 2008 05:47:54
I do not have the words to describe the feelings I felt while watching these young bull elk sparring with each other. It was clear they were only practicing for a day when they would have their own herd. The big daddy of them all stood close watching them and appeared totally indifferent to their ruckus. I think I sat there for hours just taking it all in. The below quote by Albert Einstein pretty much says it all for me.
“What I see in Nature is a magnificent structure that we can comprehend only very imperfectly, and that must fill a thinking person with a feeling of humility. This is a genuinely religious feeling that has nothing to do with mysticism”
Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 1/250 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Amanda O. Cannon October 09, 2008
This is really something you dont see everyday.....GREAT timing! This is what I could consider a perfect wildlife shot...IMO!Lynn M. Whitt October 09, 2008
Fantastic capture... #6574531Bonnie C. Lackey October 09, 2008
This terrific image will be just a reminder of what is seared in your heart and brain from being able to observe a very natural happening. I'm so glad you got to do this! #6574575Judy A. Lawhon October 09, 2008
Lucky find, Melissa, and captured with beauty!! I remember watching two Wildebest sparring and it was just overwhelming...well done!! #6574604frank w. degenhardt October 09, 2008
Melissa- I love the quote as I always enjoy the words of wisdom that you share with us. It is like a religion, the feeling one gets when they have been blessed to see something as beautiful as this. One can not help but to be awed and humbled at such a sight.Jim Huffield October 09, 2008
Awesome work. They are so fun to watch. #6574717Vitor Dias October 09, 2008
Superb picture, very well captured and great moment, congts Melissa.rgs Vitor #6574809
Anne M. Young October 09, 2008
Great photo - and your description and quote is really insapiring! Thanks for sharing #6574963Ann H. Belus October 09, 2008
Fantastic capture...beautiful photo! #6574994Kimi A. Phillips October 09, 2008
WOW! What a wonderful thing to get to see! BEAUTIFULLY DONE!!!!:) #6575190Tiia Vissak October 09, 2008
great tones, light & scene! #6575280Mike Clime October 09, 2008
Truly amazing capture, Melissa! We drove high and low looking for some elk but never did see any. #6575294Eivor Kuchta October 09, 2008
What a blessing to be able to capture this awesome scene! They are so well positioned with a perfect background, too! #6575326Nadya Johnson October 09, 2008
MAGNIFICENT, Melissa! I really love this! One for my Favorites list and in my opinion, we should see with a Golden Oval later on! #6575575Jessica Jenney October 09, 2008
Fantastic wildlife capture, Melissa! Beautiful earth tones and lighting! #6575811Cyn Valentine October 09, 2008
Amazing capture Melissa..stunning color!! #6575870April Riggs October 09, 2008
Spectacular! #6575883Susan M. Campbell October 09, 2008
How wonderful to have been able to witness this. Fabulous shot with awesome tones. #6575907Sheila D. Robertson October 09, 2008
What an incredible experience! And you captured it so beautifully. I am happy you were able to witness and share this moment. #6576021Summer A. Kozisek October 09, 2008
Fantastic capture Melissa! #6576220Kathy Cline October 09, 2008
HEY GIRL OK now Im super dooper jealous!! You are sooooo lucky to get this shot! ITS KILLER!!! I only dream of a shot like this.Heidi Knight October 09, 2008
Wow, Melissa... Very cool to get a shot like this. Fantastic my friend ;0) #6576263Bill Knaps October 09, 2008
Amazing find and capture Melissa. Bill #6576571Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna October 09, 2008
INCREDIBLE, Melissa!!!!! :-) k #6576708Melissa Olsen October 09, 2008
Thanks everyone...I am leaving for Yellowstone tomorrow before the sun comes up...hopefully I will be able to post one more picture, but if not I wish you all a wonderful week! #6576745Eugenio Diaz October 09, 2008
Amazing wild life image...well done...excellent composition. #6576782Courtenay Vanderbilt October 09, 2008
Fabulous Melissa! You exhibit great patience and have a wonderful eye for nature's beauty. #6576850Jennifer L. Alder October 09, 2008
An outstanding capture, Melissa :) #6576857Colleen Farrell October 09, 2008
Majestic, powerful, and very moving! A stunning capture, Melissa, with the perfect quote to go along with it! #6576866Sandy Powers October 09, 2008
I LOVE this photo! LOVE IT! This is about as perfect an elk shot as could ever be taken. It makes me so homesick for the mountains. Thank you for keeping me connected :)#6577504
Deb Koskovich October 10, 2008
How fortunate you were to have seen this, and how fortunate are we that you caught it to share it with us. Remarkable shot, Melissa! #6578982Melissa Olsen October 10, 2008
Thanks so much everyone...I am off to Yellowstone!Tammy Espino October 10, 2008
I felt the same way when I got to watch the big horn sheep come down the mountains into a local park! What a stunning capture!! #6579928Hendrik Storme October 10, 2008
Gorgeous capture,Melissa!!! #6580054Nancy (Peaches) Harker October 10, 2008
Lucky you, AWSOME capture Melissa!!! #6580899Karen Engelbreth October 10, 2008
WOW - fantastic find and capture, Melissa! #6581046Mitch Spence October 11, 2008
Just marvelous, Melissa. I love this. Their symmetry of position and the golden light above their antlers, leading us right to the gold of the trees--well, you can't get any better than that. #6584551Dianna Murphy October 15, 2008
Beautiful image, great light. #6603038Sam Britt October 15, 2008
Terrific wildlife capture, Melissa. #6605294Becky J. Parkinson October 16, 2008
Melissa,I haven't seen your site for a few days and I just love the new photos you have posted! This is a magnificent shot and the quote is very fitting. Wonderful!! #6609589
Melissa Olsen October 16, 2008
Thanks so much everyone! #6610125Debbra Bailey October 16, 2008
Amazing Melissa! This must have been an amazing moment for you! How awesome to be there to experince God's wonder! #6610768Susan Weisensel October 17, 2008
Very cool, beautiful nature image, Lucky you. I think I would have pee in my paints if I ever saw this. #6612962Melissa Olsen October 17, 2008
Thanks Debbra and Susan!Susan Weisensel October 17, 2008
LMAO Melissa, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! #6613346Candice L. Carter October 17, 2008
Stunning shot like a postcard! #6613586Karen Slagle October 17, 2008
Great shot, Melissa, of nature at it's best. This is something not many people see and you are truly blessed. #6614964Pat Abbott October 19, 2008
What a fabulous capture! #6623713Karen Bacon October 20, 2008
Fantastic image Melissa.Love the autumn colored leaves in the background!!! Excellent!!! #6627616Jean B. Hall October 20, 2008
FABULOUS photo! A once-in-a-lifetime capture! The light and colors are wonderful. And your quotation greatly enhances the beauty of the picture. #6627717Melissa Olsen October 20, 2008
Thank you all so much! #6628661Visit: www.JChristopherGalleries.com October 20, 2008
Wow. Glad you spent hours watching -- that's the best way to get such a fantastic photo. Well done. #6629807Nichelle Russell October 28, 2008
This capture is breathtaking!! Just amazing!! #6672361Karen Engelbreth November 07, 2008
Melissa - a big congrats on your POTD :0) #6719090Darryl Wilkinson November 07, 2008
Beautiful shot, Melissa! Congratulations to you!! #6719092Tiia Vissak November 07, 2008
congratulations! #6719110Les Rhoades November 07, 2008
Congrats on your POTD selection!Jennifer L. Alder November 07, 2008
Congrats, Melissa!!! :) #6719124Susie Peek-Swint November 07, 2008
Terrific capture Melissa ~ how wonderful to be there and witness them ~ many congrats on POTD! #6719145Usman M. Bajwa November 07, 2008
Congratulations Melissa, on this very well deserved POTD. Your description is almost as good as the shot itself!UB. #6719228
Hendrik Storme November 07, 2008
Big congrats on this fantastic POTD Melissa!!! #6719312Mike Clime November 07, 2008
WOO HOO, Melissa! Congratulations on this great POTD. #6719423Deb Koskovich November 07, 2008
Hooray for you Melissa, way to go! Congrats on this great POTD! #6719447Ken Smith November 07, 2008
Way to go, Melissa! Congrats!! #6719615William C. Raco November 07, 2008
Wonderful photo, MelissaVladan D. Djordjevic November 07, 2008
Terrific shot! #6719637Lisa J. Boulden November 07, 2008
Wonderful image and narrative, Melissa!Kathy L. Clark November 07, 2008
Oh Melissa I am not surprised at all that you got POTD with this wonderful image. Congratulations girl. #6719847Nancy L. Green November 07, 2008
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Melissa on this FNATASTIC POTD!!!! I'm sure we will be seeing this in the winners circle!!!! <>< #6719875Jeana Clark November 07, 2008
~J~ #6719892
Mike Crosby November 07, 2008
Incredible capture Melissa! Congrats on your POTD! Well deserved! #6719993JO ANN CLEVELAND November 07, 2008
Congrats on this wonderful POTD..the lighting between them is awesome, colors and comp and your patience paid off Melissa!jo ann c. #6719995
David Phalen November 07, 2008
HUGE Congrats on a wonderful POTD!!!! #6720082Eivor Kuchta November 07, 2008
Oh, Melissa, I'm so thrilled to see this wonderful image as the POTD! Big congratulations! #6720098Jessica Jenney November 07, 2008
Congratulations, Melissa on your gorgeous POTD! #6720142Datha Y. Thompson November 07, 2008
Congratulations Melissa!!! Gorgeous POTD :0) #6720158Cathy Barrows November 07, 2008
Congrats on your POTD...this is simply fabulous...i'm sure this was an experience that you will never forget #6720161Daniella Puente November 07, 2008
Congrats on your wonderful and excellent POTD Mel :o)))) #6720181Kaye Burazin November 07, 2008
What a magnificent POTD. #6720187Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna November 07, 2008
Spectacular POTD!!!!! Congratulations, Melissa!!!!! :-) ♫ k #6720213Heidi Knight November 07, 2008
Congrats Melissa ;0) #6720234Patricia A. Stalter November 07, 2008
I didn't have to look very far for your image today! Congratulations! #6720282Terri L. Scribner November 07, 2008
Congratulations this outstanding beautiful POTD!! #6720421Mitch Spence November 07, 2008
Melissa, congratulations to you on your POTD for this wonderful, wonderful photo. #6720534ROLAN NARMAN November 07, 2008
Congratulations on your spectaculat POTD Melissa! #6720589Judy A. Lawhon November 07, 2008
WTG.....Melissa....congrats!! #6720635Colleen Farrell November 07, 2008
WTG, Melissa! Congratulations on getting POTD for this awesome photo--very well-deserved! #6720698Muna A. Al Zaabi November 07, 2008
amazing capture, Congrats on your POTD. #6720794Debra R. Harder November 07, 2008
WTG, Melissa! BIG CONGRATS on this STELLAR POTD!! Deb #6720804Eli Boschetto November 07, 2008
Awesome! Great lighting! Congrats on the POTD!!! #6721247Joy Rector November 07, 2008
love it #6721503Donna R. Wageman November 07, 2008
Perfect comp and lighting!Michelle L. Frick November 07, 2008
Congratulations on your POTD Melissa!!! Way to go - and such a beautiful shot! #6721721Denny E. Barnes November 07, 2008
OUTSTANDING!!!! They don't get any better than this, Melissa!! Very beautiful image, perfect lighting, color, effects and composition!! What else could it be but a winner and well deserved POTD!! Congratulations!!!....Denny #6721782Melissa G. Meiselman November 07, 2008
Big congratulations on this awesome POTD, Melissa!!! #6722245Courtenay Vanderbilt November 07, 2008
Congratulations Melissa! Saw this this morning but I have been swamped all day! #6722504Dennis Flanagan November 07, 2008
Absolutely gorgeous. #6722685Pamela Shane November 07, 2008
WOW!!!! I'd give my eye teeth for a shotMichael Umbreit November 07, 2008
Melissa - Congratulations on your POTD!! Wonderful shot! - Mike #6722723Sandy Powers November 07, 2008
Oh, Melissa! This is one of my favorite photos of yours. I'm so happy it got the recognition it deserves and people all over the world can see it today.CONGRATULATIONS! This is a most deserving stand-out photo!
P.S. It was AWESOME talking to you on the phone today :)
#6722869
Nancy (Peaches) Harker November 07, 2008
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoWTG Melissa on your outstanding POTD!!!Tommy E. Burgess November 07, 2008
Congratulations on this beautiful and well deserved POTD Melissa!!! #6723153Melissa Olsen November 08, 2008
Just a short little note to tell you all how much I really appreciate your support and comments. The day I found out that this picture won POTD is also the day that I was reminded of how very special everyone here at BP really is. We all lead busy lives and the fact you took the time to congratulate me means so much. I was so moved by your comments; it literally brought tears of thankfulness to my eyes. From the very depth of my heart…THANK YOU!“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
~Brandi Snyder
#6724937
MELODIE C. ROBERTS November 08, 2008
Hey MelissaMarcel J. Fernandez November 08, 2008
Congratulations Melissa on an extraordianary capture and for your POTD selection. #6725785Melissa Olsen November 08, 2008
Thank you Melodie and Marcel! #6726132Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 08, 2008
A beautiful wildlife capture and POTD Melissa. Congratulations! #6726917Scott Wohlman November 09, 2008
Congratulations Melissa; what a beautiful shot! Is this from RMNP?Scott #6729182
James Reininger November 10, 2008
What a wonderful image. Great capture, composition, and fall colors. #6735035Melissa Olsen November 10, 2008
Thank you Donna, Scott and James. #6735809Irene Colling November 11, 2008
COngratulations on the POTD Melissa.I can imagine your excitment to witness the scene. And even greater joy to konw you captured such a good image. #6741152
Robert Baer November 12, 2008
melissaLinda D. Lester November 14, 2008
Awesome shot....congratulations! #6753860Joseph M. Muench November 15, 2008
Wonderful image...must have been great to experience.Brad Harding January 04, 2009
Melissa, can certainly see why this was a Photo of the Day, excellent light and composition. I love Montana and Wyoming area. I wish I lived closer I would love to go there again. great picture here, Brad. #6982313Melissa Olsen January 04, 2009
Thank you all so much for your generous comments, I am sorry that I am late in my thanks.Arlene Krassner March 01, 2009
Melissa this is a wonderful image in terms of tones, textures and composition. #7229319Melissa Olsen March 01, 2009
Thank you Arlene, your comment is greatly appreciated. :-) #7229618Gary Lange March 02, 2009
WOW, this is SUPERB, Melissa!! The eye gets drawn right to the action. I like how the leaves' fall color makes an inverted "V" almost directing you to the center of interest. Very nicely done!!! WTG on the POTD, I sure missed this one much earlier! #7233565Melissa Olsen March 02, 2009
Thanks so much Gary! #7234584Wes Thomas March 03, 2009
Thanks for the visit, Melissa. I appreciate it. This shot is incredible and I can see why you would sit and stare of them for hours. I was in Colorado this past weekend and did get several shots of elk, but as you know, this is not rutting season, so you don't see this kind of activity very often.Keep up the good work. :-) #7238846
Boyd L. Alexander March 12, 2009
This is truly exceptional! Stunningly beautiful, excellent job,....well done. #7275522Melissa Olsen March 12, 2009
Thank you Wes and Boyd! #7275663Patty Fee March 28, 2009
Melissa -- BIG CONGRATS on your Photo of the Day.An incredible shot that was well rewarded.
Great job. #7344459
Charles Cooper April 02, 2009
Great shot! You have a great eye. Charles #7365377Melissa Olsen April 02, 2009
Thank you very much Patty and Charles! #7365542Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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