Wapiti.
Wapiti.
Wapiti.
Sounds like a flat tire, doesn’t it?
Well, it isn’t.
Wapiti are the reason ranchers have to fix a lot of fence around these parts.
Wapiti are one of the reasons I want a telephoto lens for my camera.
Wapiti tend to eat a large amount of alfalfa should they be given the chance.
Wapiti are one of the things that you DON’T want to hit with your car.
Wapiti taste good.
Wapiti smell like… uh… musky wapiti…
If you don’t know wapiti, you don’t know elk.
Yes.
Elk.
These photos were taken about 10 this morning.
While you were taking your coffee break…
I had already helped move calves a mile and a half…
Visited with two different groups of hunters…
Drove down the highway to check for trespassers…
and found this…
Wapiti are at the top of the list when it comes to impressive animals.
One of the reasons is the large amount of animals in a herd.
This one had 60.
Peanuts.
Often the herds are much bigger!
They don’t like it that I’ve stopped my Durango.
They want to cross the highway…
and I’ve just parked on their trail.
They are frustrated…
But I want a good photo!
Man, oh, man…
What I wouldn’t give for a HUGE lens right now…
I’m not that bad of a bogey-man after all…
they are starting to graze that yummy alfalfa…
Still not too concerned…
No traffic…
No concern…
Lately have I mentioned how much I hate dislike powerlines as a photographer?
Yeah…
Sigh…
Here comes traffic and…
They are…
OUTTA HERE!
Do we hafta?
OK…
If you’ve never seen an elk…
Here’s a video from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKnqLGED9SQ&feature=related
To hear a bull elk bugle…
and I mean a BIG bull…
will almost scare you with the deep bass pitch.
They grunt and bark, too.
Riding on the mountain once I had one none too happy with my presence.
You could hear a definite challenge in his tone!
You’ll WILL get goosebumps!
The cows and calves call each other…
Kind of a “EEEE OW” sound…
Indians thought elk were great symbols of LOVE because they called and sang for their mates…
With their gigantic antlers, calls, size, and beauty…
it is no wonder many Wyomingites are also elk-aholics!
Find me here!
