Elk Calf

In the past week, Bruce and I have often remarked that the elk are staying on the Valley floor MUCH longer than they usually do. Elk usually calve around the last week in May/first week in June, and we've been hoping they had decided to calve down here. We've speculated that they are staying because of the established wolf pack in Deep Creek, or perhaps due to our weather. Whatever the reason, we're thrilled to see them every evening, and every morning- feasting on our rancher neighbors' lush fields.

Today, as Bruce was heading down the driveway on his way to the dump, he noticed BOTH mares staring intently at something. It's not in the least bit unusual for Wynter to be staring at something, but when Dakota joins her, then it's time for us to take notice. Bruce saw cows, some elk... and then... something else. An ELK CALF!!! The first one we've seen all year! 

He called me on his cell phone, and I rushed out with my camera. I didn't dare get too close- so the photos are terrible- but at least they document our first elk calf of the year!

The poor little guy was having a heck of a time getting through the cattle fence. He is WAY too small to jump over it, and he wasn't terribly keen at crawling under it. At one point, he considered adopting this yearling cow as his mother, but she wasn't receptive to the idea. 

Finally, Mom came over, got the little guy through the first batch of fences, and seemed to tell him to hide in the woods, because he quickly disappeared in the forest, as Mom hopped the fence, to graze with her buddies. 

I waited and watched for a long time, noticing that Mom would gaze over at the woods from time to time before going back to her meal. Finally, it dawned on me that Mom was probably hiding the little tyke from ME! *LOL* and I went inside, to leave the family in peace. It, honestly, is enough for me to know they are out there.