MAGAZINE: We always enjoy the Pennsylvania Magazine, and its look at some of the fascinating history and beautiful locations the Keystone State has to offer.

And we’re always happy to share with our readers when the magazine features something special from our neck of the woods.

The November-December issue has the winners of the magazine’s 2020 Wildlife Winners photo contest.

We were pleased to note the second place shot was taken in Elk County of what else? A majestic bull elk cooling off in a creek, and a bit of a nature show went with it.

Here’s the description: “On a warm, humid September morning in Elk County, Mark Boyd of Conestoga joined a couple of friends to photograph elk during the rut when they spotted a mature bull with a few cows headed toward the creek. They set up to capture the group crossing the creek, but soon after, another bull trotted down the opposite hill towards the bull and his cows. Immediately, they gave chase across the creek and over the hill. After fighting for several minutes, one of the bulls returned slowly down the hill and while breathing heavily, stepped into the water and drank for a few long minutes. Overheated and exhausted, he just lay down in the creek to cool off and was oblivious to the camera activity. When Boyd and his friends left, the bull was still lying in the creek.”

The first place shot, taken at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, was of an eastern gray tree frog. David Whiteman of State College had never seen one before, but he heard them often around the end of June and early July.

Other shots making the list were a turkey at Fort Indiantown Gap, an eight-point whitetail deer in Montour County, a hawk in Camp Hill and a pileated woodpecker in Blair County.