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Elk

Young Bull Elk

Elk in the Oconoluftee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Young “Spike” Bull
  • The Old Bull
  • Bugling
Hiding from the Rampaging Bugler
  • Hanging Out on the Edge
A Young One Resting (He’s not yet rubbed the velvet off his antlers.)
On the Edge of the Old Bull’s Herd. Within a year or two, he and his mates will be challenging the old guys.

Elk in Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

The Old Bull and the Cataloochee Herd

On a frosty, October morning, these two young bulls grazed side-by-side. They were in sight, but well away from the older bull and the cows and calves in the older animal’s herd. Like “teenagers” of other species, often they palled around. At other times they fought. These were apparently mock battles, preparing, I think, for the time when they would challenge the older bulls.

  • The Two
  • The Larger
  • The Smaller
  • Locking Antlers
  • The “fight” moved to a tree
  • The tree gave the smaller animal a bit of an advantage. Still, they were playing.

2 replies on “Young Bull Elk”

Thank you, Estefy. You’re seeing what I’m trying to convey, the individuality and unique expression of each animal. I’m glad you’re enjoying the photos! Thanks for your response.

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