We hiked in the Whiterocks River drainage of the southern Uintas yesterday. At noon, the skies were clear blue. Dark clouds gathered in the early afternoon, though. We waited out a short rain/sleet/snow storm, then walked out of the woods (elevation about 10,700 feet) and found a herd of elk lounging at the edge of the meadow. 
They were just as surprised as we were. The calves, who had been napping, hastily got to their feet,
ran to their mommas,
and the whole group bunched up and stared at us for a moment before bustling off into the trees. The elk at the far left of the above photo appears to be a bull. Do you agree? He seems to have short spikes for antlers. He would have shed his antlers in late winter. Don't know why he hasn't grown more of a rack by now.We were glad she didn't chase them and spoil our excellent photo op!
what a great photo experience....thank you for sharing....
ReplyDeleteFantastic. Some of the largest herds I have ever witnessed was in Oregon...Roosevelt Elk. Wow are they massive.
ReplyDeleteI hiked in similar weather today but didn't see any elk! Lots of wildflowers, though. Great that you got some of the babies as well as the grownups.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great photo capture Janie. They are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWould Daisy just chase them for the fun of it???
Do you guys hike everyday? I love seeing what you have seen. Thanks for sharing.
Suz
Wow! Those are amazing photos. This City girl would be terrified to come up on a herd like that! Cute Daisy. She's such an exuberant dog!
ReplyDeleteJanie, you captured the elk beautifully! These are the kinds of scenes I can sit & enjoy ... forever!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely summer's eve ~
TTFN ~ Marydon
Oh Janie, You all are so lucky to see all of the Elks. They are amazing animals... You got some fabulous pictures....
ReplyDeleteThat one on the left does look like a bull.... Maybe that is just one big, happy family!!!!!
As hot as it is here, I cannot imagine being somewhere where there is sleet and snow.... Mercy Me!!!!!
Thanks for sharing the elk with us.
Hugs,
Betsy
What a pleasant surprise to see the herd, and Daisy missing them is rather funny. But camping in the snow is not for me, thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience! They are certainly a good looking bunch.
ReplyDeleteAmazing captures!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
Serendipity! Gorgeous shots of such regal animals.
ReplyDeleteHi Janie, I love that last shot where the Elk are watching you take their picture. It must be exciting to happen upon such a large group.
ReplyDeleteDaisy must be fairly well behaved! What a great opportunity to see such beautiful animals.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's impressive. Is there any danger in surprising a herd with calves?
ReplyDeleteJanie: That is certainly an outstanding group of Elk.
ReplyDeleteAmazing landscape and pictures!
ReplyDeleteHi Janie; you could not ask for better models! It is wonderful to see animals free in the wild. Whole families together. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great surprise. They better get their act together before hunting season! Great photograph.
ReplyDeleteDaisy's such a good dog!
ReplyDeletewhat a nice surprise!
ReplyDeleteNice! Interesting how quickly elk calves lose their spots.
ReplyDeleteYes, a bull--probably will be a spike. Elk bulls shed antlers much later than deer--usually late February to mid March here in SW Montana. Mother elk tolerate junior hanging around for a year or two. After that, the young bulls usually go off alone or into small bachelor herds.
What a wonderful surprise! I'm glad Daisy was so busy sniffing that you were able to get these wonder pictures.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a bull, too. Maybe he's just young enough that his antlers are slow to come back? Maybe he's a late bloomer.
ReplyDelete