Photos and text copyright Romping and Rolling in the Rockies 2009-2017.

All photographs and text within this blog are copyrighted.

You may not copy or repost any photos or text without specific permission from the author of this blog. When in doubt, please ask.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Elk, elk, elk!

We've been seeing our elk herd regularly recently.

I like to see them in the afternoon when the light is golden.

Some just ignore me and keep on munching on the dry grass. The younger ones are more prone to stop eating to check me out like the one on the far right.

Many males still have their antlers but I bet that they'll drop them soon. I've thought about training Shyla to show me where antlers are because I know that our herd drops them in our neck of the woods.

One day, I saw the herd while I was riding my bike. They were jittery. First they stared.

Then one stuck her tongue out as they departed.

My last view of the herd was their rumps disappearing over a rocky embankment. Notice how their ears were rotated 180° listening behind them to make sure that I wasn't chasing them.
It's a tough time of year for the elk. All the vegetation here is dry and brown. Very few plants are sprouting yet. I've read that this is the hardest part of the year for the weaker ones to survive. I am rooting for some moisture so that they can eat green grass before they depart for the high mountains in early summer.
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. DukeApril 22, 2017 at 6:59 AM

    Antlers are so pricey to buy and you can get them free! Find, Shyla, find! The elk's ears look so funny turned backwards☺

    ReplyDelete
  2. MadSnapperApril 22, 2017 at 7:06 AM

    I love seeing your elk herd, but even if they were not in the photo the view of where they are would be enough. what a wonderful place you live in.

    ReplyDelete
  3. QuinnApril 22, 2017 at 7:07 AM

    Mules rotate their ears individually so they can hear from all sorts of directions at the same time - I don't know if other animals can do this, do you?
    Here's hoping you get some good, soaking rains or nice, deep snows very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary HoneApril 22, 2017 at 7:43 AM

    I would train her to find antlers. They sure are hardy, surviving what they do.

    ReplyDelete
  5. jank1961April 22, 2017 at 11:13 AM

    That is so cool about their ears! I think you should train Shyla to find antlers too. As much as she loves nose works, I bet she'd be great at that.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bella Roxy & MacduiApril 22, 2017 at 1:10 PM

    We think Shyla could be an Antler Dog....just like there are Truffle Dogs. We pay about $20 for a small antler piece for the dogs to chew. You may be able to start a business....BOL! The elk are so well camouflaged in that golden light. Just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. MurphyApril 22, 2017 at 1:48 PM

    Lots and lots of them! Happy Earth Day!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

    ReplyDelete
  8. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥April 22, 2017 at 3:45 PM

    Amazing what those ears can do. We hope they find some good vegetation soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brian's Home BlogApril 22, 2017 at 5:22 PM

    Ears and rumps everywhere!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tails Around the RanchApril 23, 2017 at 8:13 PM

    I've never seen elk give raspberries to anyone before! That's too funny. I agree with other commenters, train Shyla to find the antlers. It's like having a grocery store right in your back yard.

    ReplyDelete

If you are a Blogger registered user, you can skip the step asking you to verify that you are not a spammer. For posts older than 5 days, I have comment moderation turned on.

Thanks for your comments!!!!!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)