Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

Wapiti Wednesday: Elk bull serenades the ladies

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An elk bull calls to his harem in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)
An elk bull calls to his harem in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

Sounding a bugle sure to bring the girls from near and far, this big guy was making sure they all knew who was in charge. He had a good sized harem in the Moraine Park area of Rocky Mountain National Park last month and kept them close. There was a much larger bull nearby and he was well aware of the threat of seeing some of them poached away.

The rut is now over and the big guys finally get a rest but now all must prepare for a long, hard winter at altitude. The monochrome grass in this shot really kind of makes the bull stand out in contrast while they entire scene is filled with complementary colors.

Elk bull takes a much needed break from the rut

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An Elk bull gets a rare opportunity to take a nap during the annual rut. (© Tony’s Takes)
An Elk bull gets a rare opportunity to take a nap during the annual rut. (© Tony’s Takes)

If you spent weeks on end running around almost non-stop defending your harem from would-be competitors, you would be tired too.

This big guy had a nice bunch of cows to help ensure his lineage carried on. However, not 100 yards away, were three interlopers, all too ready to steal away the ladies.

On this mild day in Colorado’s high country, the boys seemed willing to take a break from the action and get some much needed rest. The big guy was able to lie down in the forest and catch a nap while his harem grazed nearby.

An Elk bull gets a rare opportunity to take a nap during the annual rut. (© Tony’s Takes)
An Elk bull gets a rare opportunity to take a nap during the annual rut. (© Tony’s Takes)

“These are MY ladies”

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A massive elk bull keeps close watch as he guards his harem. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive elk bull keeps close watch as he guards his harem. (© Tony’s Takes)

“These are MY ladies.” A massive Elk bull casts a stern look toward any that would dare to poach from his harem. 😉 This guy was indeed quite impressive and had himself a nice harem of a dozen cows. Three other bulls were nearby, only one of which could even be considered a contender, but my money would be on this guy for sure.

Bull Elk at the ranch for Wapiti Wednesday

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A bull Elk bugles with a ranch and fall colors serving as a backdrop. (© Tony’s Takes)
A bull Elk bugles with a ranch and fall colors serving as a backdrop. (© Tony’s Takes)

Normally I wouldn’t like the man-made stuff in the background of a photo but for this capture I actually really like it. The fence and wagon coupled with the big guy and the fall foliage look pretty near IMHO. It certainly helps that this bull was one impressive specimen to say the least. We sometimes call these creatures Wapiti, a word that comes from the Shawnee and Cree word ‘waapiti’ which means ‘white rump.’

Bugling Elk bull in the fall foliage

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A massive 7x7 Elk bull bugles near Estes Park, Colorado with the fall foliage serving as a backdrop. (© Tony’s Takes)
A massive 7×7 Elk bull bugles near Estes Park, Colorado with the fall foliage serving as a backdrop. (© Tony’s Takes)

Our camping season came to an end this past weekend but the last trip did send us out on a high note. We headed to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park for the rutting Elk and fall colors and were not disappointed.

The highlight was this big, 7 x 7 bull hanging not far from our campsite near Mary’s Lake. On Saturday afternoon, he had his harem of a dozen cows rounded up and was making sure that three other, nearby, smaller bulls knew to keep their distance.

Here, he was bugling, sounding a warning, with the signs of the change of seasons in the background. I have to say, this is one of my favorite Elk pics I have ever taken.

National Park Service seeks information on Elk poachers in Rocky Mountain National Park

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Two Elk bulls walk along the shore of a lake at Milner Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)
Two Elk bulls walk along the shore of a lake at Milner Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park. (© Tony’s Takes)

Apparently a poacher (or poachers) have killed two of these big guys in recent weeks in Rocky Mountain National Park. The service is seeking pics of any of the bulls in the Milner Pass area, some of which I photographed back in late July. This link has details on the incidents and links that you can use to report anything relevant.

Curious little Elk calf checks out the photographer

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The first Wapiti Wednesday of the season following my first captures of these mountain residents this past weekend.

Driving through the Kawuneeche Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park I came across a good sized herd of cows and calves enjoying the cool, damp weather. Most were not interested in me at all but this little one couldn’t hide its curiosity.

As I kneeled and started to snap pictures, it was intently focused on me, keeping close watch and no doubt wondering why I had interest in it. This year’s newborns are growing fast and as you can tell, starting to lose their spots.

Elk are one the of the largest members of the deer family. Native Americans called them ‘wapiti’ or light colored deer. The animals once had a wide range across North America but hunting and human influences now have them primarily found across the western parts of the continent.

An Elk calf takes a keep interest in the photographer. (© Tony’s Takes)
An Elk calf takes a keep interest in the photographer. (© Tony’s Takes)

Young Elk bull weathers a ground blizzard

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One for Wapiti Wednesday and a throwback to mid-September. At lower elevations in Rocky Mountain National Park, conditions were mild and pleasant. However, as I neared the top of Old Fall River Road, the weather conditions changed considerably.

At first it was just a few snowflakes but soon I was seeing accumulated snow on the ground, the temperature plummeted and the winds picked up. Near the top, just below the visitors center, a number of elk were hanging out including this young one.

The winds created near whiteout conditions and in fact, actually resulted in Trail Ridge Road being closed for a time stranding me on the wrong side of the park! It was quite an experience but kind of fun in a way.

A young bull Elk rides out a ground blizzard in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A young bull Elk rides out a ground blizzard in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Bugling big boy

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The annual Elk rut is over and they have settled down and are preparing for a long, cold winter. This image was taken back in the middle of September at the height of the mating season.

While this bull looked and sounded quite impressive as he patrolled the hills, the ladies either weren’t very taken with him or he was not as good of a fighter as you might guess from his looks. There was only one cow in the area and she was doing her best to avoid him. I guess looks aren’t everything. 😉

An Elk bull bugles hoping to attract the females. (© Tony’s Takes)
An Elk bull bugles hoping to attract the females. (© Tony’s Takes)

Closeup of Elk bull keeping watch on his harem

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Closeup of Elk bull keeping watch on his harem. Taken a couple of weeks ago, this big fella had his harem of 10 near Mary’s Lake in Estes Park, away from any real competition. That allowed him to enjoy a quiet evening by the lake with the ladies, something we all would enjoy. 😉

In front of the eye you may notice the ‘preorbital gland’. Elk, deer and a lot of other hoofed animals have them. These scent glands secrete pheromones and other chemicals. They then will rub their faces on bushes and tree branches, commonly believed as a way of marking their territory.

More of my pics of these cool creatures can be found here.

Closeup of an Elk bull in Estes Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Closeup of an Elk bull in Estes Park, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)