Larry Treadwell
November 2026 - How is this possible?
About the Image(s)
How is this possible?
Camera Nikon D700 (full frame) with Nikkor 200-400mm f4 lens, ISO 400, f4, 1/800, camera was hand held.
This image was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in the meadow just after the passing through the Fall River entry point, in late May of 2014. I first spotted the two sparing young elks in a meadow and jumped out of my car to capture the action. I was so caught up in the action I didn’t notice until later the “tiny” elk walking on the left side of this frame. There was no miniature elk walking in the meadow that morning. The two sparing elk are clearly further away from the camera position than the tiny elk passing by. The elk passing by seems to have a more mature body appearance but is still shown as being smaller. There is not Photoshop trick being played here, this is a single frame. So my question, and challenge to all you photo experts how is this image possible? What kind of freak camera action allowed this image to happen? In more than a decade since this was taken I’ve shown it to a number of people and no one has provided a satisfactory answer other than to accuse me of making this up and using Photoshop. I’m eager to hear your thoughts. I sent this image to Nikon long ago and never received a reply of any kind.
3 comments posted
I won't even attempt to explain this through perspective, the relative sizes of the animals, or the possibility that the sparring elk appear larger because they're rearing up on their hind legs. I've consulted Chat, who knows considerably more about camera optics and lens behavior than I do, and even Chat couldn't provide a definitive explanation. So, the mystery remains.
If it were me, I'd send the image back to Nikon and suggest that solving this little mystery might be a wonderful opportunity for some free publicity, particularly within the PSA community. After all, how often does a photograph raise a question that remains unanswered more than a decade later?
Whatever the explanation, you've captured something that goes beyond an interesting wildlife photograph.
Larry you've captured two stories: the obvious one involving the sparring elk, and the unexpected mystery of the third animal. Story is king in wildlife photography and your fighting ungulates is an excellent one, but it's the second story, the phantom third elk, that may be what makes the photograph memorable.
Very well-done, Larry
Posted: 11/01/2026 15:32:13
I've love credit for this mystery, but on my part this is just plain old dumb luck! I have no idea what happened. It has bugged me for years. Posted: 11/01/2026 22:08:06
What makes this unique is the perfect Depth of field to get all three in focus.
Spending as much time as I do outdoors and in nature, I usually joke that some animals grow wings to make sure they don't leave any visible spoor for us to follow and just magically appear somewhere else.
Animals are so good at becoming one with their environments, it is incredible.
The story behind this makes this photo unique, well done!
Posted: 11/02/2026 06:52:31