Wildlife in RMNP

I am planning on heading up to RMNP this weekend and wanted to know if there is any place good for Wildlife this time of year?

Here is a link to Sprague Lake I took a couple of weeks back. Your cc is very much welcomed.

http://images.nikonians.org/galleries/showphoto.php/photo/152468/size/big/cat/

Thanks,

Tim

Wildlife is pretty hit or miss in RMNP. I have often seen Elk in Beaver Meadows, and last time saw a Moose actually in Estes Park itself :)

Nice Pano of Sprague Lake -- how many images was it?

As Dave said. Plenty of elk, some coyotes, only a few birds and squirrels. Some mule deer with collars on. Blood stains on the carpet from the culling! Big horn sheep easier to see in Thompson canyon.
Pika and marmots and bears all asleep under the snow.
Moose not accessible in winter usually unless you are very lucky.

Thanks for the feedback. I the Elk primarily on the road into the park passing by Beaver entrance? I have seen Big Horn a lot going up through the canyon, however, the last time I did not see any.

Where are you seeing coyote and Elk this time of year?

The Pano of Sprague Lake was one image.

Tim, I was in the Park on Tuesday and saw 14 bull elk together in Horseshoe Park. The park service has fenced in most of Horseshoe so you have to watch your backgrounds when shooting. Out of the 14 there were 3 that were half way decent. 6x 6 and one 6x7. They were in the sheep lakes area. Also check down by the beaver pond on the way to Hidden Valley there are usually some large bulls in the willows on the right hand side.

Coyote can be anywhere but Horseshoe Park is a likely place. They eat mice mostly in the valley bottoms. Also check as you enter the park from the Beaver Meadows entrance.

Thanks for the post Don and Bill. I will head up in the morning and hit Sprague Lake or Bear Lake for the sunrise and then head over to Horseshoe Park and then up to Hidden Valley. I appreciate the posts. Possibly, I will get a great morning sky with fresh snow.

Tim

The weather on the drive up from Centennial was smooth. As I entered the area for Moraine Park on my way to Sprague Lake, I saw approximately 100 Elk going across the park. It was too early to shoot them so I passed and headed up. The area had some snow fall as well as blowing snow over night. The lake was covered with snow. The sun was coming out and blue skies to the East and Hallett Peak had clouds and blowing snow. There were times the sun did peak through and I was able to get a few good shots. I then headed back down to see if I could find the elk. I took the road to Moraine campground and on the way I found 2 coyotes. One was on the drivers side coming across the road and the other had already made it across the road. I was able to get a couple of shots as they were out hunting for food. I did not see the elk in that area. I then headed over to Horshoe Park and there were two very good size bulls off in the distance. My 70-300mm could not cut the distance. I would have had to have a 1200mm to get them. Further down the road towards Fall River visitor center there were several elk laying down and was not very photogenic so I passed. I then headed back to the city and went out Fall River road and found 3 male elk by some cabins. They were eating from the bird feeders. One of them had a 6pt antler. Not very photogenic but I did get a decent shot with one of them licking the bird feeder.

All in all a good day. How could you have a bad day in RNMP.

Tim