Oconaluftee Crossing

10.3.20 - I spent hours photographing elk this past weekend, with a river crossing shot being the one I most coveted. I did manage do see a number of elk cross the river, though often after waiting hours upon hours for them to do so, and even then, not in the exact spot I would hope for or not in the best light. Of course, when my friends came to scope out the elk with me, within five minutes this huge bull started moving towards the river. Surely, my friends wouldn’t be lucky enough to have the magic timing, right? Well, instead of meandering back and forth, rounding up cows, and generally moving without a sense of purpose like they normally do, this guy obliged in exactly what I had hoped for; he went straight to the river. Upon entering, he drank casually and bugled loudly! This was certainly one crossing I’ll not soon forget.

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Cassidy Girvin