I saw lots of elk and whitetail deer, several rabbits, a coyote, a bobcat (yes, a bobcat), and even a couple of humans.  I also came across a bear track, but never did see the bear.

Some of the bulls were scraping velvet for the upcoming rut.

Check out the images in the '2012 Richland Valley' gallery ...

View the 2012 Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge gallery to see this image in full size ...

I've made many trips there over the past year and a half and each time brings a new and different experience. One of the highlights of this trip was seeing several bull elk with velvet antlers.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday I followed the Buffalo River downstream crisscrossing at places I had not visited before. No matter where I went along the river, folks were out enjoying the water.

This photo may be viewed full size in the 2012 Boxley Valley gallery ...

The valley is located within both the Buffalo National River and Gene Rush Wildlife Management areas.  To get there you have to ford either the Buffalo River near Woolum at the north end or Richland Creek at the south end.  There are no bridges which means access is limited to low water times.

I went mainly to view and photograph elk since June is peak calfing time.  Not only did I see elk (although no newborn calves) but several other species too.  No black bear this time though ...

Early Sunday morning I was sitting at the edge of a field watching the elk graze when I spotted these wild turkeys.  They put on quite a show for about 30 minutes before the elk pushed them into the woods.

This photo may be viewed full size in the 2012 Richland Valley gallery ...