Figure 1. Roosevelt Elk, Elk Meadow, Redwood National and State Parks, CA.
What do you think about elk? Should they be seen in the Rockies such as Yellowstone? In fact, elk are wide spread not only in the western states, but in eastern states as well due to conservation efforts. In California, Redwood National and State Parks are one of the place to see elk. These are Roosevelt elk, which is a subspecies of elk different from the more common Rocky Mountain elk. The size of a Roosevelt elk is the largest among all elk subspecies.
One dependable place to see elk in Redwood National and State Parks is the Elk Meadow. This shot is taken in autumn when the sun is still low. While people tend to prefer a close-up of wildlife, an environmental wildlife photo can also be attractive when the condition is right. In some way, it is like a landscape photo with wildlife. While this kind of photo may not be appreciated by many people, it is seen more often in a painting with a large size, perhaps at least 18 inch by 24 inch. So viewers can still see the details of the wildlife.
Yes, size does matter for some kinds of pictures like this one. It looks better with a larger size, though it still looks good with an ordinary monitor size. When the lens is out of range for a close-up, it may just provide the good chance for an environmental wildlife shot. So don't give up, or complain for not having a longer telephoto lens. Think different and this would give you fun, too.
