ELK SIGHTING

Elk calf was standing in field beside last tree (photo right)

Queen Bess sits at attention in the evenings and watches for anything that moves – or smells. Mike and I were watching TV about 8:30 last night (Monday, June 6), when Bess took to barking. Looking out the south window, we were at first stunned to see a huge animal standing beside the far tree at the pond. Mike identified it as a young elk, but it was BIG. Bess stood stock-still at the edge of the field. Nobody moved. Not even the coyote sitting further west and closer to the house than the elk.

Elk calf at far tree; coyote on rise closer to house

Eventually the scene shifted. First the coyote stood up, moved into the draw, and was gone from sight. The elk then loped along in the same direction. It had been a hot day and was still warm. He probably just wanted a drink from the pond, and I don't know if he accomplished his mission. Bess then relaxed and went back to her perch for more watching and waiting.

It was then that I saw another coyote in June’s field on the other side of the pond. It, too, turned tail and left, heading to the east. Well, and I just have to wonder – were those two coyote thinking they might gang up on that young elk as it drank from the pond?

Watchful Mother?

You might think that’s the end of the story, but Mike looked out later and saw an elk in the distance – clear out near the trees on the far side of the south field. I decided I had time to get a picture. It was a long way off, and Mike wondered if I could get pictures, but I was confident I would get a picture adequate to help tell the story.

Then she turned to face the house.

This was not the same elk we saw earlier. I think the second elk was the cow keeping a watchful eye over her young offspring. KW

She's there in front of the trees in center of picture. You just can't see her.