I caught this Bull Elk with its tongue out on a foggy November morning in Boxley Valley. The bull had been scent checking a nearby cow moments before. When the cow moved away, he moistened his nose to better detect scent molecules.
Wildlife Notes: Bull Elk Scent Checking Behavior
This Bull Elk was active during the late rut in early November. Bulls rely heavily on scent to judge when a cow is ready to breed. The Jacobson’s organ, located in the roof of an elk’s mouth, helps them analyze these airborne chemicals.
By moistening the nose with saliva, elk improve their ability to capture and process scent. I’ve seen this behavior several times during the rut here in Arkansas. It’s subtle but fascinating to watch.
Early November marks the tail end of rut activity in this region. Bulls still patrol their territories and keep close track of cow movements. This bull was clearly focused on the cow that had just left the area.
See my Elk Behavior in Boxley Valley, Arkansas post for more on rut behavior at this location.
Photography Notes: Capturing the Bull Elk Tongue Moment
I used my Canon EOS R5 with the RF 200–800mm lens at 800mm, mounted on a tripod for stability. I set up at the edge of the field near the road, giving me a clear line of sight across the open grass.
Fog forced me to raise the ISO to 8000 to keep a shutter speed of 1/500 second at f/9. The R5 manages high ISO well, though some noise is visible at full magnification. I added +1/3 stop exposure compensation to counter the flat light. The fog served as a natural diffuser, softening the scene and reducing shadows.
The 800mm reach let me fill the frame without disturbing the bull. Keeping distance during rut season is important for both safety and authentic behavior. At f/9, the background trees blurred into soft autumn color, isolating the elk cleanly.
I kept focus on the bull’s eye and used continuous autofocus to follow any motion. The tongue moment happened fast. I fired a short burst and this frame stood out for sharpness and timing.
Final Thoughts on This Bull Elk Encounter
This photo blends humor with real wildlife behavior. It captures a fleeting but functional act that also makes viewers smile. That mix of information and connection is what keeps me inspired to photograph wild animals.
Gear and Settings
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 200–800mm F6.3–9 IS USM
- Focal Length: 800mm
- Aperture: ƒ/9
- Shutter Speed: 1/500 second
- ISO: 8000
- Exposure Compensation: +1/3
Thank you for the information. I also use the Canon 200-800, but on a Canon R7. As a hobbyist, I cannot afford the R5. But we all take the best photos we can with whatever camera we have with us.
Thanks, Harold! The R7 paired with that 200–800mm is a great combo, especially with the extra reach from the crop sensor. I’ve seen some impressive results from that setup. What I like most about this lens is how versatile it is in changing light and distance. Glad to hear you’re out enjoying it!