Portrait of Elk

Species: Elk (Cervus canadensis) | Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

During the summertime at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, I explored the alpine tundra where herds of elk with new antlers covered in velvet basked in the warm sunshine. This male elk, in particular, was lying away from the others, so I was able to approach closer to photograph him. The backdrop of the yellow wildflowers against the blue sky and puffy white clouds created a dreamy vision of an otherwise common animal in the park.

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About The Photographer

As the human population grows at the expense of invaluable habitats and species, there's an ever-growing need for conservation and awareness. My company, TerraLens Photography LLC, inspires awe of our planet's inherent beauty and encourages the responsible treatment of nature by drawing attention to wildlife conservation issues through photography and photojournalism. Humans share an underlying connection with all living things on the entire planet, but we often forget about it. My photography and essays explore diverse conservation topics to find the moments where our separation from nature dissolves and we see our place in the universe correctly. I believe that when this happens, we're more likely to treat ourselves, others, and the planet with greater care and respect.