Alpine Cow / Calf Herd Talk
The Gallery - Cow Behavior and Vocalizations
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45m
What You'll See:
This video parks you right above a large group of cows and calves as they make their way down into a small alpine basin where they intend to bed down for the day.
Setting the Stage:
Chris found this group out in the wide open alpine at day-break, and – as he was filming them – saw the direction the first group of cows was headed as they left the nighttime feeding area as the early morning light increased. Swinging way around in front of them, he positioned himself above a small basin that the first elk were dropping into, and hit record. As was expected, the entire group dropped down below his set-up, and began to settle into their bedding locations for the later part of the morning. As they did so, the vocalizations picked up, and ran nearly non-stop for more than an hour!
Viewing / Listening Tips:
Wind noise is unavoidable in this, unfortunately, and with the audio gain turned up so you can hear the vocalizations, you’ll also hear an audible “hiss” throughout the video. Headphones or ear-buds definitely help the viewer/listener pick up on the more subtle sounds – especially the Assembly Mews – so it is highly recommended you listen with those if possible.
Vocalizations:
While the visual component of this video is relatively unremarkable (just cows and calves feeding and walking around), the audio provides phenomenal examples of almost every cow vocalization you could ever want to listen to, and practice with, when perfecting your cow calling – save for maybe an Alarm Bark.
Up Next in The Gallery - Cow Behavior and Vocalizations
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Elk Herd on the Move
What You'll See:
In this sequence you'll see a herd bull with a relatively large group of cows and calves. The herd bull will occasionally herd some of the cows, causing the cows to vocalize to try to keep tabs on one another and their calves. This sequence contains a TON of vocalizations. As suc... -
Excited Cow Calling
What You'll See:
This is the full-length version of the video associated with Real Elk Sounds – Episodes #177 and #178. With almost no editing (other than when I moved the camera), this version allows you to see the full context in which the cow was traveling, searching for her calf, interacting... -
Cow / Calf Group at Treeline
What You'll See:
This sequence provides another great example of cow/calf communication and vocalizations – or “herd talk” – as a group of cows and calves move up out of their timbered bedding areas to feed out into the open alpine above. If you want to try and sound like a group of cows and cal...
