Sunrise with Elk in Cataloochee Valley

I took this photo of a herd of elk wandering through the picturesque Cataloochee Valley on a foggy morning in late September in the North Carolina... more

by Ina Kratzsch

Title

Sunrise with Elk in Cataloochee Valley

Artist

Ina Kratzsch

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Photograph

Description

I took this photo of a herd of elk wandering through the picturesque Cataloochee Valley on a foggy morning in late September in the North Carolina portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The valley is home to several historic buildings as well as the majestic elk. The best time to watch the animals is in the evening during or the early morning right at sunrise. Watch elk from the roadside and do not approach them in the fields. Please keep your distance! The bulls are big and dangerous (up to 800lbs) and will not let get anything in between them and their cows. They have no fear of humans. I took this picture from the road with a 600mm lens. The elk are beautifully to watch... from a distance. Getting to the Valley is tricky (I rode in with an experienced photographer) and there is no cell service. Best place to stay nearby is the town of Maggie Valley NC which is right of the Blue Ridge Parkway, that offers one of the prettiest drives in the country.

Uploaded

November 25th, 2018