The elk rut happens when the world is still somewhat warm, and life is easy for the elk. Since it was warm during the rut, the elk love ponds. While the bull elk is so serious about the rut, the younger elk still want to play. Sometimes they play in the pond and sometimes near the pond.
Today's video is from a pond almost adjacent to the one from last week's video. However, the tone within the herd was quite different. The bull elk was standing in the water banging the water, kicking the water, and then destroying a bush with his antlers. Meanwhile, the females and calves were chasing each other, seemingly swirling around the rest of the herd. I found it to be mesmerizing to watch the whole scene.
Check out the video if you have time.
love how they take a bath... it was friday evening, right? so they smell good when they go out later ;O)
ReplyDeleteYou almost have to watch that video twice. Once to see what is going on in the foreground and once to see what is going on in the background. I think the sound made from the elk running through the grass adds to the mesmerizing effect.
ReplyDeleteWatching this video, I have a sudden urge to be reincarnated as a member of an elk herd in Colorado!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
WOW, seeing so many together like that is amazing!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Watching them run around in the background was fun...I kept imagining one of them saying, I need to get my 10,000 steps. :)
ReplyDeleteThis was great and joyful.
ReplyDeleteA huge herd, I tried to. count the girls but they were too crowded, I wonder if this was just HIS herd , or would there be another bull as well? Guess he was sprucing himself for some action later on, even to wash those magnificent antlers.
ReplyDeleteThey are just a whirl of activity and lots of fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteLoved watching the young ones racing around - they looked like they were playing.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. One huge family.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. Scritches to the pups. ♥
OH my word that was exciting and more difficult as herding cats in a room full of rocking chairs.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you all
Cecilia
That was so much fun to watch. It was almost as if the younger members of the family were a little hyper:)
ReplyDeleteI would not want to stumble on to that during a bike ride
ReplyDeleteIt's such interesting behavior, but it is what their instincts tell them to do!
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