Elk On The Run
One thing I like to see when I’m watching young animals is when they have more pent up energy than they can hold and they run around for a minute. Sometimes they hop straight up in the air before they take off. Ah, to be young again.
A Lot of Bull
This is the biggest bull I’ve seen on the south end of the Tomales Peninsula. He’s probably the sire of all the calves in that area. I’ve spent some time watching him and the other smaller bulls that comprise this bachelor band. One of the things I’ve noticed is how he constantly asserts his dominance in little ways. His mantra: “Out of my way.” Come fall, all the others know that to mate they have to beat the one who’s always pushing them around. Most won’t try. I think this is common to all herding wildlife. What I liked about this photo opportunity was the wildflowers (wild radish?) and the late afternoon light.
A Tule Elk Calf Stands in Tall Grass
This tule elk calf is big enough to run with the adults so it no longer needs to hide for periods of time. It was the only calf with a group of 25 adults and yearlings. Most of the cows with calves that I’ve been seeing are staying farther away from the road than the other elk.
A Coyote Survives with Injury
I’ve seen this coyote a number of times. He’s easy to identify because he has a slight limp due to some injury to his right foreleg. I first saw him around Pierce Point Ranch months ago. Later I saw him on the mid-peninsula. Lately, I’ve been seeing him at the south end. He seems to have found a home there. On the other hand, maybe he’s been a long-time resident there and I only first noticed him and his limping gait at Pierce Point. Maybe he was just traveling then in search of better territory or a mate or both. I wondered then whether the limp would affect his ability to survive. I watched him “mousing” at Pierce Point and the limp didn’t affect his ability to jump (and land) in hunting rodents. In fact, he was very successful. It seems to only affect his ability to run fast. Good news for the rabbits. He looks healthy to me. He’s making it.
California Quail in Strong Backlight; Point Reyes National Seashore
I liked the lichen-covered post this guy hopped up on at the Pierce Point Ranch parking lot. I didn’t like the fact that I had to shoot into the sun though. That made for some tough backlighting.
I don’t know why male California quail always like to be perched on something above the ground while the rest of the covey remains on the ground. I’ve never seen a female on a post. Maybe the males do it to protect the females and young. That way they’re in a position to see anything dangerous approaching and can let out a warning call in time to save the others. Maybe they like being in a high place because it’s safest for them. I’d like to think it’s the former.
Bull Elk at Sunset
This bull was standing at about a 45 degree angle to the sun before it set. This made for some strong sidelight and backlight. He’s still wearing some of his winter coat. He looks very healthy, but I think he’ll have to undergo a big growth-spurt to have a chance to breed this fall.
Cow Elk Being Groomed by Starlings; Point Reyes National Seashore
This cow is being cleaned of parasites by some starlings. She’s also ear-tagged. She has a yellow tag in her right ear that is numbered “85” and a silver tag in her left ear that is numbered “8527.” I don’t know why the tags were put on her, but she may have been tagged when the Park Service was experimenting with birth control in the late 90s. If so, she’s quite old. All I do know for sure is that I see her a lot and she sees me a lot. When I’m upwind of her that nose gets a real workout.
It’s hard to tell from this little jpeg, but it appears that the starling on the cow’s head is missing toes on its right foot.
