It was a bluebird day in Donnelly for our February PhotoWalkabout. Four inches of fresh snow fell overnight and the morning greeted us with beautiful sunshine and some of Idaho's best marshmallow clouds for our adventure into a wintering elk herd. We filled two sleighs with 28 diehard photographers. 

As the Clydesdales took us into the meadows by the the Gold Fork River, our sleighmasters regaled us with elk lore. We all learned a lot about elk and their intricate relationship with other local wildlife. Upon our arrival, the elk cows converged on the sleighs to get their fill of hay, which we happened to be sitting on. You don't get any closer than that.

We got lucky too. According to our driver, the bull elk tend to stay off by themselves and don't often mingle with the cows while the sleighs are passing through. But today they eyed us for awhile, then jumped over a fence like it wasn't there to come get their free meal. Or maybe to court the ladies. In any case, having a huge 6-point bull nosing hay out from under you is something you don't forget.

After our elk adventure, we met for lunch at Donnelly's great (and only) pizza joint, then split off for more Long Valley exploration. Thanks to everyone who came and we look forward to seeing you at our next PhotoWalkabout on March 19.

Don and Jack