Inspiring Photo: Young Bulls #7132892

Young Bulls

Uploaded: October 09, 2008 05:47:54

Description

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

Comments

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!
Nice editing as well #1013215

Lynn M. Whitt October 09, 2008

Fantastic capture... #6574531

Bonnie 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! #6574575

Judy 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!! #6574604

frank 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.
A blessed find and your work is so wonderful and it is our joy that you shared this moment with us. Beautiful in everyway that takes a photo from good to great.
Fantastic work #6574644

Jim Huffield October 09, 2008

Awesome work. They are so fun to watch. #6574717

Vitor 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 #6574963

Ann H. Belus October 09, 2008

Fantastic capture...beautiful photo! #6574994

Kimi A. Phillips October 09, 2008

WOW! What a wonderful thing to get to see! BEAUTIFULLY DONE!!!!:) #6575190

Tiia Vissak October 09, 2008

great tones, light & scene! #6575280

Mike Clime October 09, 2008

Truly amazing capture, Melissa! We drove high and low looking for some elk but never did see any. #6575294

Eivor 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! #6575326

Nadya 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! #6575575

Jessica Jenney October 09, 2008

Fantastic wildlife capture, Melissa! Beautiful earth tones and lighting! #6575811

Cyn Valentine October 09, 2008

Amazing capture Melissa..stunning color!! #6575870

April Riggs October 09, 2008

Spectacular! #6575883

Susan M. Campbell October 09, 2008

How wonderful to have been able to witness this. Fabulous shot with awesome tones. #6575907

Sheila 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. #6576021

Summer A. Kozisek October 09, 2008

Fantastic capture Melissa! #6576220

Kathy 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.
CONGRATULATIONS
Blessings
Kathy ~:-) #6576225

Heidi Knight October 09, 2008

Wow, Melissa... Very cool to get a shot like this. Fantastic my friend ;0) #6576263

Bill Knaps October 09, 2008

Amazing find and capture Melissa. Bill #6576571

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna October 09, 2008

INCREDIBLE, Melissa!!!!! :-) k #6576708

Melissa 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! #6576745

Eugenio Diaz October 09, 2008

Amazing wild life image...well done...excellent composition. #6576782

Courtenay Vanderbilt October 09, 2008

Fabulous Melissa! You exhibit great patience and have a wonderful eye for nature's beauty. #6576850

Jennifer L. Alder October 09, 2008

An outstanding capture, Melissa :) #6576857

Colleen Farrell October 09, 2008

Majestic, powerful, and very moving! A stunning capture, Melissa, with the perfect quote to go along with it! #6576866

Sandy 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! #6578982

Melissa Olsen October 10, 2008

Thanks so much everyone...I am off to Yellowstone!
Blessings to you all! #6579019

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!! #6579928

Hendrik Storme October 10, 2008

Gorgeous capture,Melissa!!! #6580054

Nancy (Peaches) Harker October 10, 2008

Lucky you, AWSOME capture Melissa!!! #6580899

Karen Engelbreth October 10, 2008

WOW - fantastic find and capture, Melissa! #6581046

Mitch 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. #6584551

Dianna Murphy October 15, 2008

Beautiful image, great light. #6603038

Sam Britt October 15, 2008

Terrific wildlife capture, Melissa. #6605294

Becky 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! #6610125

Debbra 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! #6610768

Susan 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. #6612962

Melissa Olsen October 17, 2008

Thanks Debbra and Susan!
PS. Susan...what makes you think I didn't...LOL #6613275

Susan Weisensel October 17, 2008

LMAO Melissa, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! #6613346

Candice L. Carter October 17, 2008

Stunning shot like a postcard! #6613586

Karen 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. #6614964

Pat Abbott October 19, 2008

What a fabulous capture! #6623713

Karen Bacon October 20, 2008

Fantastic image Melissa.Love the autumn colored leaves in the background!!! Excellent!!! #6627616

Jean 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. #6627717

Melissa Olsen October 20, 2008

Thank you all so much! #6628661

Visit: 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. #6629807

Nichelle Russell October 28, 2008

This capture is breathtaking!! Just amazing!! #6672361

Karen Engelbreth November 07, 2008

Melissa - a big congrats on your POTD :0) #6719090

Darryl Wilkinson November 07, 2008

Beautiful shot, Melissa! Congratulations to you!! #6719092

Tiia Vissak November 07, 2008

congratulations! #6719110

Les Rhoades November 07, 2008

Congrats on your POTD selection!
I'm sure we will see this one agin in the finals #6719111

Jennifer L. Alder November 07, 2008

Congrats, Melissa!!! :) #6719124

Susie Peek-Swint November 07, 2008

Terrific capture Melissa ~ how wonderful to be there and witness them ~ many congrats on POTD! #6719145

Usman 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!!! #6719312

Mike Clime November 07, 2008

WOO HOO, Melissa! Congratulations on this great POTD. #6719423

Deb Koskovich November 07, 2008

Hooray for you Melissa, way to go! Congrats on this great POTD! #6719447

Ken Smith November 07, 2008

Way to go, Melissa! Congrats!! #6719615

William C. Raco November 07, 2008

Wonderful photo, Melissa
Congratulations on the POTD recognition #6719632

Vladan D. Djordjevic November 07, 2008

Terrific shot! #6719637

Lisa J. Boulden November 07, 2008

Wonderful image and narrative, Melissa!
Great light!
Congratz on this well-deserved POTD!
~Lisa #6719811

Kathy L. Clark November 07, 2008

Oh Melissa I am not surprised at all that you got POTD with this wonderful image. Congratulations girl. #6719847

Nancy L. Green November 07, 2008

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Melissa on this FNATASTIC POTD!!!! I'm sure we will be seeing this in the winners circle!!!! <>< #6719875

Jeana Clark November 07, 2008

SOOOOHAPPPY!!!
Congratulations My Friend
for this FABULOUS POTD!!!!
WELL DESERVED!!!!!
~J~ #6719892

Mike Crosby November 07, 2008
Incredible capture Melissa! Congrats on your POTD! Well deserved! #6719993

JO 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!!!! #6720082

Eivor Kuchta November 07, 2008
Oh, Melissa, I'm so thrilled to see this wonderful image as the POTD! Big congratulations! #6720098

Jessica Jenney November 07, 2008
Congratulations, Melissa on your gorgeous POTD! #6720142

Datha Y. Thompson November 07, 2008
Congratulations Melissa!!! Gorgeous POTD :0) #6720158

Cathy Barrows November 07, 2008
Congrats on your POTD...this is simply fabulous...i'm sure this was an experience that you will never forget #6720161

Daniella Puente November 07, 2008
Congrats on your wonderful and excellent POTD Mel :o)))) #6720181

Kaye Burazin November 07, 2008
What a magnificent POTD. #6720187

Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna November 07, 2008
Spectacular POTD!!!!! Congratulations, Melissa!!!!! :-) ♫ k #6720213

Heidi Knight November 07, 2008
Congrats Melissa ;0) #6720234

November 07, 2008
Good job, Mimi!!!!!!!!
From, Lucy #6720241

Patricia A. Stalter November 07, 2008
I didn't have to look very far for your image today! Congratulations! #6720282

Terri L. Scribner November 07, 2008
Congratulations this outstanding beautiful POTD!! #6720421

Mitch Spence November 07, 2008
Melissa, congratulations to you on your POTD for this wonderful, wonderful photo. #6720534

ROLAN NARMAN November 07, 2008
Congratulations on your spectaculat POTD Melissa! #6720589

Judy A. Lawhon November 07, 2008
WTG.....Melissa....congrats!! #6720635

Colleen Farrell November 07, 2008
WTG, Melissa! Congratulations on getting POTD for this awesome photo--very well-deserved! #6720698

Muna A. Al Zaabi November 07, 2008
amazing capture, Congrats on your POTD. #6720794

Debra R. Harder November 07, 2008
WTG, Melissa! BIG CONGRATS on this STELLAR POTD!! Deb #6720804

Eli Boschetto November 07, 2008
Awesome! Great lighting! Congrats on the POTD!!! #6721247

Joy Rector November 07, 2008
love it #6721503

Donna R. Wageman November 07, 2008
Perfect comp and lighting!
Congrats on POTD! #6721632

Michelle L. Frick November 07, 2008
Congratulations on your POTD Melissa!!! Way to go - and such a beautiful shot! #6721721

Denny 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 #6721782

Melissa G. Meiselman November 07, 2008
Big congratulations on this awesome POTD, Melissa!!! #6722245

Courtenay Vanderbilt November 07, 2008
Congratulations Melissa! Saw this this morning but I have been swamped all day! #6722504

Dennis Flanagan November 07, 2008
Absolutely gorgeous. #6722685

Pamela Shane November 07, 2008
WOW!!!! I'd give my eye teeth for a shot
like this Melissa. Breathtaking capture
of these magnificent animals. Big congratulations on your POTD. #6722703

Michael Umbreit November 07, 2008
Melissa - Congratulations on your POTD!! Wonderful shot! - Mike #6722723

Sandy 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!!!
HUGE Congrats!!! #6723048

Tommy E. Burgess November 07, 2008
Congratulations on this beautiful and well deserved POTD Melissa!!! #6723153

Melissa 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 Melissa
Sorry For The Delay in Sending My Congratulations!!...
An Incredible Capture That is So Deserving of The POTD Nod
Excellent Work!!!!
#6725227

Marcel J. Fernandez November 08, 2008
Congratulations Melissa on an extraordianary capture and for your POTD selection. #6725785

Melissa Olsen November 08, 2008
Thank you Melodie and Marcel! #6726132

Donna La Mattino Pagakis November 08, 2008
A beautiful wildlife capture and POTD Melissa. Congratulations! #6726917

Scott 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. #6735035

Melissa Olsen November 10, 2008
Thank you Donna, Scott and James. #6735809

Irene 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
melissa
this is amazing! congrats on your fantastic potd! #6744859

Linda D. Lester November 14, 2008
Awesome shot....congratulations! #6753860

Joseph M. Muench November 15, 2008
Wonderful image...must have been great to experience.
-Joe #6760324

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. #6982313

Melissa Olsen January 04, 2009
Thank you all so much for your generous comments, I am sorry that I am late in my thanks.
Actually this photo was taken in RMNP.
Have a wonderful Sunday Night! #6982324

Arlene Krassner March 01, 2009
Melissa this is a wonderful image in terms of tones, textures and composition. #7229319

Melissa Olsen March 01, 2009
Thank you Arlene, your comment is greatly appreciated. :-) #7229618

Gary 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! #7233565

Melissa Olsen March 02, 2009
Thanks so much Gary! #7234584

Wes 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. #7275522

Melissa Olsen March 12, 2009
Thank you Wes and Boyd! #7275663

Patty 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 #7365377

Melissa Olsen April 02, 2009
Thank you very much Patty and Charles! #7365542

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