Bull Tule Elk; Point Reyes National Seashore

This is a photo of a mature bull tule elk lying in a field of silage plants in January.

Bull Elk Lying in an Early-Growth Silage Field

Some ranchers who lease ranch lands from the National Park Service at Point Reyes National Seashore are allowed to grow non-native plants to feed to their cattle.  The plants are mowed when still green in late April and May.  Aside from the fact that this silage growing involves the annual introduction of non-native plants into the national seashore, some ground-nesting and near-ground nesting birds and their nestlings are chopped up during mowing.   Also, female deer give birth to and hide their fawns in silage fields.  The fawns are also chopped up during mowing.  Why the Park Service supports ranching on NPS-owned lands involving over 5,500 cows, let alone silage growing with its annual killing of wildlife, is beyond me.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share this:

More Posts

Mount Redoubt, Alaska
Thar She Blows! I took this photo in March of 2009 when I was driving back to Anchorage from Homer where...
Read Article
Big Black Bear, Yellowstone National Park
Big Boy About the only negative to wildlife photography in Yellowstone is having to go through all your...
Read Article
Northern Harrier Asks: "Are you finished?" Pt. Reyes National Seashore
What are YOU looking at? This male northern harrier looks like he’s getting fed up with something...
Read Article
A bald eagle grabs a fish in Kachemak Bay, Alaska.
View Galleries

Prints for sale

Browse my selection of photos for sale as fine art prints

Filter by category