Driving back from sunset photos at Bear Lake in RMNP I spotted this large velvety elk snacking off the roadway. He ignored me for a good ten minutes while I snapped photos in fading light. As I was about to call it he finally looked my way. Longest lens I had was my 50mm. You can see from this uncropped photo just how close he was.

Thanks for looking. Appreciate any commentary or critique as always.

Wow stunner of an Elk. Great image.

What a beauty..

That rack is so big it give the impression of the animal towering over you.

Thanks, he was incredible. Here‘s another view of the rack!

Fabulous! Lucky he was relaxed!

You hot the color just right for that golden hour light.

He looks happy--and why not with a rack like that. Nice shot.

Great shot.
I was just at the north entrance to RMNP and saw plenty of moose and some deer but missed out on seeing any elk.

We stayed in Estes Park. Quite a few elk in that region. Saw one moose at Sheep Lake but without I telephoto I couldn’t get him. Waiting on the 180-600

Nailed a dandy photo, both of em