Bull Elk in Velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

hPoto of bull tule elk in velvet
The Life Cycle Continues

I was out at Point Reyes recently.  The male elk are all sporting new antlers covered in velvet.  They’re also still shedding their lighter-colored winter coats.  This bull was in the Tule Elk Preserve.  He was in a group of about 20 bulls.

I didn’t get a clear look at all of them, but three of them, and possibly a fourth, looked like they were suffering from diarrhea.  That made me wonder if they had early-stage Johne’s Disease, which leads to death.  For an earlier discussion of Johne’s Disease at Point Reyes, click here.

0 Responses

  1. the scouring (diarrhea) is typical of this time of year when the elk consume high quantities of seedy green grasses, the cattle show this effect also

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.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

Share this:

More Posts

Cheetah Cub, Kenya
I photographed this cheetah cub in Kenya’s Olare Motorogi Conservancy just north of the Maasai...
Read Article
Injured Bobcat, Point Reyes National Seashore
Bobcat Has Lost Some Fur I photographed this bobcat on May 2.  I saw that it had lost all its fur in...
Read Article
Where I'd Like to Be Now
Where Is This, Exactly? A little different than my usual post.  Where is this, exactly?
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