Elk In Foggy Cataloochee Valley

Living on the Eastern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I am blessed with a short drive into the foggy Cataloochee Valley for elk viewing.

Last year’s fall weather was much more seasonal, so September mornings in the park were frosty and clear (see some fall Elk pictures here). The warm temperatures this fall are leaving us with heavy fog clinging to the valley floor. More challenging for photographers, but the Elk do not mind since the calendar says rut season, no matter what the weather.

The bigger, stronger bull elk gather large herds of cows. The younger and weaker bulls, however, find the season to be a bit lonelier.