The Elk are Bugling~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS

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As fall descends in Yellowstone and the Tetons,
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painting the trees golden-yellow,
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the elk are rutting,
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bugling,
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and posturing.
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They become so exhausted by all this effort, they bugle while resting!
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The calves,
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and does,
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provide a peaceful contrast!
Cheers to you from the Tetons in the fall~

262 thoughts on “The Elk are Bugling~”

  14. Wow, it’s amazing how the transformation from summer to fall seems to happen all at once! And you are in such a wonderful place for enjoying this! Love the pictures of the elks here. Such magnificent antlers! Enjoy your time out there Cindy! ~Lynn

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  19. That blue and gold is stunning! (Do all the trees turn gold out there? What…no reds, purples, oranges….? This is New England, pulling your leg..) I can see why the elk needs to rest , carrying as he does, those huge antlers. The antlers themselves remind me of a strange, beautiful calligraphy of nature…thanks for sharing your journey with us….

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    1. Yes, you New Englanders and your fall displays, pretty much put all others to shame. So incredible in the fall! I did utilize discretion, which is most unusual for me, by not posting all the elk mating photos! 😉 😉

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    1. How thoughtful of you to remember! I have been thinking of African animals this whole trip, comparing the differences and similarities. The biggest difference in Kruger vs American national parks is the intense volume of wild animals in Kruger. We don’t have these numbers anymore in our national parks. Thank you for remembering Africa!

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      1. Of course I remember, you have a very kind and human way to portrait the landscapes you visit. Sometimes when I see random photographs in Internet it’s clear that the photographer is not engaged with what he/she sees but it’s just more an excuse to get a photograph, in your case is clear that you lived the landscape and were sensible to the wild nature. Thank you for your kind spirit, Cindy.

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  24. I could definitely use a vacation out there in the wild with no humans around for some time.
    Tell me that the first picture is Rudolf the raindeer…..majestic creatures for sure, actually you make them all seem quite majestic.

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  39. Aren’t they gorgeous? I think it’s easy when you live in a city to forget how perfectly stunning nature really is. Thank you for the amazing photos and the reminder, Cindy. 🙂

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    1. Yes, being in the midst of nature is beneficial for one’s mental and physical health. It makes you feel part of something wonderful. Cities cannot accomplish this, for me at least. I am very pleased you enjoyed!

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  43. The calves are too cute! We were in Yellowstone in the fall once, but didn’t see elk (or not up close that I can remember). Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos with us, Cindy!

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  53. Did you hear any “boogy woogy” in any of that bugling, Cuz? I love that time of year out there. Yellowstone – for its exciting scenes and adventure, and the Tetons for their peace and serenity. I always liked to get off the “beaten path” in both places. Hugs ! 🙂

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      2. There are free roaming zebras in Big Sur California near the Hearst Castle if you don’t want to go to Africa. But seeing them in Africa is the biggest thrill. They are so beautiful!

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      1. They were taken in a very early morning mist, with a whole grouping of elk – probably 12-16 – looking like a mirage. Then the bull got moving, and we got some great shots, even with my little Nikkon CoolPix!

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  62. I love the Tetons, Cyndy. I’ve taken that top photo, or very close to it. I was once charged by several elk, which was an interesting experience. Fortunately, I managed to chase them off by behaving weirdly. (I pretended I was a giant ape. 🙂 The elk decided to go elsewhere.) -Curt

    BTW, thanks for your comment on the hams. Once again I started typing before I was in the box, which makes the comments disappear. Grrr.

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    1. I got in the middle of a couple of charges, where the dominant bull is chasing off a rival. I ducked behind trees. It got my adrenalin going and I loved it. I think only you would understand this! I did see them go after some hikers directly and that was scary. Bull elk like their space. I have a photo of some tourists taking a selfie with a herd of buffalo. They were a foot away…….no wonder there are so many gorings this year.

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  74. Amiga Cindy: Te veo disfrutando de ese maravilloso paisaje y de los animales libres. Se nota por las preciosas fotos que publicas. Me alegra que lo estés pasando bien. 🙂

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    1. I watched their bellies when they bugle. They massively contract their stomach muscles with each bugle. This would be a great exercise regime for me, if only I could bugle!

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  86. The Fall colors are absolutely stunning. These are fantastic shots of the elk ruling. They are here too and we are no longer taking slow strolls up the road by the farmers field where the herd hand out in the Fall.
    Have a good week end.

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    1. Thank you so much. Yes those bulls can be a tad ‘techy can’t they!!!! I always tried to photograph them with a large tree or something to run behind, and I had to do this more than once. Such iconic creatures. You are lucky to live among them. Be well~

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    1. Wonderful to hear from you! I’ve been thinking about you! I know there has been a lot going on with you, some great events like, your marriage, and some not so great, like your surgery. Hope all is well with you my friend, and yes, Yellowstone is one of those magical places, with all the wonderful American wildlife. Thanks for touching base and be well my friend. Much love~ <3

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    1. Yellowstone gets crowded because it is such an American icon, but it is so huge. There are so many inacessible parts. Vast tracks of it are still fully wild. You have to go to Yellowstone Lake to even to begin to see this wonder.

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  97. Cindy, you have hit me where it counts here ~ there are very few animals to me as regal as an elk, and you’ve captured all of their spirit with these shots…and then to do so in a place so beautiful (the opening landscape shots are surreal). Simply beautiful, as you always do ~

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    1. You know I hold your work in similar esteem, so your comments are very much appreciated. I had so much fun with the elk, essentially running away FAST when I got between two males. It was an adrenalin experience and I loved it. They really are magnificent creatures.

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  99. Wow, ‘pretty as a picture’ takes meaning here today. It all seems rather unspoiled and that’s very appealing to me. I’m always worried when I see Elk or bears on the hi-way and wish they’d stay up high on the mountains. Then, If you weren’t willing to hike, you aren’t going to see them. All that bugling must be loud. I hope they have a good winter, with lots to eat. xk

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    1. Aren’t the elk gorgeous! I have never been so close to them before and I never realized how LARGE the males are. Pheww!! They are big they are fast and they are CRANKY during rut. I had sooooo much fun dodging behind trees when they decided to run pell mell right through my sheltered spot when they spotted a rival male, I didn’t see behind me. Talk about 101 tons of fun!

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      2. About what? My life is way too boring, except for infrequent moments when it isn’t, like with this elk. You on the other hand, would have a super popular show on the DIY/Arts/Crafting, make beauty around you channel. Seriously, it would be VERY popular!

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    1. I have seen the Rosevelt Elk in Washington up on Hurricane Ridge. Beautiful and a bit smaller than these big Wyomming ones. Do the elk like your donkeys? Or just their food! 😉

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