Mom’s just seem to have that innate ability to provide a calming influence in our lives and steer us where we need to go. This elk cow in Rocky Mountain National Park last October seemed to have it down pat as her and her calf enjoy some downtime. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms of all species out there!
Back off my harem!
“Back off my harem!” The message from this massive bull Elk last September was quite clear – don’t get too close to the ladies. Needless to say, I was not going to test him.
The bull had gathered up a large harem among a bunch of aspen trees in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. As it was close the road, a crowd of people had gathered around and he was not too happy, circling the ladies continually to keep them rounded up and sounding off at the gathered humans along the way. Adding to the bull’s anxiety, a younger bull kept approaching the harem trying to siphon a few of the cows for his own.
Hanging out with Dad
An #elk calf walks through a mountain meadow with a large bull. Taken back in October at Rocky Mountain National Park, this bull was keeping close track of his harem of 15 or so cows. The calf seemed pretty interested in the adult’s work and stayed close by his side while the bull patrolled.
Bugling bull elk
This imposing bull elk was sounding a warning to other males in the area to stay away from the harem he had gathered.
The distinctive bugle of a bull can communicate a number of different messages including letting his harem know he is around, letting the cows know they are straying too far and making him unhappy or warning other bulls to keep their distance.
Taken in the golden light soon after sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park on September 28, 2014.
One antler or not, I still look fabulous, right?
“One antler or not, I still look fabulous, right?” This younger bull elk was sporting some damage to one of his antlers recently. Perhaps the result of a fight with a more senior and more powerful resident of the area. Nevertheless, despite the damage and despite him not having a harem, he seemed rather proud of himself.
Naptime on the golf course
Some of the area elk had taken up residence on the Estes Park, Colorado golf course this past weekend. This young bull apparently decided golf was a pretty boring game and chose instead to take a bit of a morning nap in the warm sun. I’m not sure if the human players just play through these normally moving obstacles or steer clear. 😉
Majestic bull elk stands tall in the forest
Weighing up to 700 pounds and standing over six feet tall, Rocky Mountain Elk bulls cut an imposing figure. Throw in a massive 12-point rack and put that bull on a hill above you bugling and it gets your attention real quick.
This bull was standing watch in the #Colorado forest over his harem of about 15 cows and calves. The sound of another nearby bull bugling put him on high alert and he began patrolling the area giving his own warning call as he did.
You can learn more about these magnificent creatures here: http://www.rmef.org/ElkFacts.aspx
Are you looking at my ladies?
‘Are you looking at my ladies?’ A bull elk keeps close watch on his harem including making sure humans don’t get too close. He had a smaller sized harem of about 15 cows and yearlings.
The rut is winding down now. Having been to Rocky Mountain National Park 3 out of the past 4 weeks it is obvious the bulls are getting very tired. They are moving a lot slower, their bugles are quieter and they just don’t seem to have the energy they did when it started.
Grazing elk and fall foliage in the Colorado high country
The changing of the seasons in the Centennial State is one of the best times of years here. Weather conditions are typically pleasant and up in the mountains the changing foliage streaks the landscape in gold. Throw in our abundant wildlife and you have some great photo opportunities.
I took hundreds of pictures this past weekend and this is my favorite – in fact it is one of my favorites that I have ever taken.
The sky was quite overcast but for a brief time soon after sunrise the sun made an appearance at the horizon bathing this area of Rocky ?Mountain? National Park in sunlight. At the far edge of the meadows, aspen trees were radiant gold. In the foreground, an ?elk? bull bugled as he kept close watch on his grazing cows. It was an amazing scene to witness and I am very pleased to have been able to capture it.
Bull elk interrupts breakfast to bugle
‘Didn’t your mama teach you not to talk with your mouth full?’
This bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park was calmly eating breakfast until he heard another bull nearby bugle. That prompted him to sound off as well to serve as a warning that interlopers were not welcome and that he would defend his harem of 20 or so cows.