I am missing the elk, and the excitement of the annual mating season, in the elk country of Pennsylvania. For this blog update I will post more images from our trip during late September and early October...
Even though it rained every day, the weather did not dampen the ardor of the elk...
This cow was standing in a meadow that was engulfed in fog...
Each evening this meadow was a gathering place for both cows and bulls...
The bulls attempt to gather as many cows as they can; they are constantly challenged by other bulls for breeding "rights"...
Younger, smaller bulls seldom get to mate...
The young bull shown here was fervently pursuing a cow, but he quickly retreated when an older, dominant bull showed up...
Bulls use licking branches to leave their scent...
Sometimes they end up with sticks and branches in their antlers...
I am always impressed with the ability of the bulls to move through the forest with their large antlers...
Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.
Love it brother
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos -- that big bull may well not survive elk season. There are far fewer mature bulls now than there were before hunting seasons were instituted. If that big bull is habituated, he will almost certainly not see the first snow storm.
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