This photo was taken in RMNP during the Elk Rut in September. The Male Elk use their antlers to rake and dig out an area to create an Elk wallow. The grass that gets caught on the antlers then falls to the head of the elk after he raises his head. This is called the Elk Salad.
Another Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park during the fall. A great time of year to be in the park and to see the Elk Rut where Bull elk call out to their mates and to their Does
the Elk Rut in RMNP is exciting to see. This Elk Bull is bugling with the Elk cows around. This harem was near one of the roads in RMNP with lots of cars stopping and people getting out of their cars to take photos. I witnessed a Bull Elk trying to keep his harem close by and a spotted an Elk Cow starting to lead the cows away from the road. I decided to move around the herd to an opening and they can walking toward me. i was surrounded by Elk when i took this photo. Fortunately, the Bull Elk was content to eat grass and bugle and not recognize me as a threat.
