Jim Coda Nature Photography

August 17, 2011May 27, 2018Tule Elk

Bull Tule Elk with Baling Twine Caught in Antlers

Photo of a bull tule elk with baling twine caught in his antlers. — Tule Elk Bull, Limantour Herd; Point Reyes National Seashore

This 7-point bull is the largest I’ve seen so far this fall in that portion of the Limantour herd that uses the D Ranch near Drake’s Beach. About an hour after this photo was taken I saw him again and he was limping. I think he had been a in a fight. What I want to point out in this photo, however, is that he has some baling twine caught in his antlers. Here is a closer view of the baling twine.

Close-up photo of a bull tule elk with baling twine caught in his antlers. — Cropped photo showing baling twine caught in antlers; Point Reyes National Seashore

Baling twine and baling wire, which are used to bale hay, cause many unnecessary injuries and deaths each year to wildlife. Animals manage to get their legs, talons and other body parts tangled in it. To read an article about its dangers click here. The next time this bull scrapes ground cover some of it will get caught in the twine and some of it may cover the animals face, including its eyes. Depending on its breaking strength, it may also tie the bull to a fence or a piece of vegetation that the bull can’t break or it may hold two bulls together when they try to break from a fight. Tensile strength is in the hundreds of pounds. Other species, such as ospreys, are attracted to it for nest-building material. There are reported cases of ospreys being killed when flying with a long piece of it dangling from their talons. The trailing piece gets caught in a tree limb as a bird flies over it and the bird dies either immediately or over a long time if it can’t free itself of the twine. If it makes it into the nest it can cause death there as well. To see what can happen at a nest site click here. It reminds me of monofilament fishing line which thoughtless fishermen discard. Monofilament is even used for some baling products. If you see discarded baling twine please collect it and dispose of it properly. Included in that is cutting it into small pieces so it doesn’t become dangerous again on the surface of a landfill.

Baling twine is now being manufactured that decomposes over time. While this is a step in the right direction, it doesn’t break down for over a year.

May 27, 2011May 27, 2018Tule Elk

Young Bull Elk Poses

A young bull tule elk poses in the late afternoon light. — Young Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes National Seashore

This young bull poses beautifully in the afternoon light. I like to think he was practicing for when he will be a regal 7-pointer.

May 24, 2011November 10, 2021Tule Elk

A Lot of Bull

Photo of a bull tule elk among spring flowers. — 7-Point Bull Tule Elk; Point Reyes National Seashore

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.

May 20, 2011Uncategorized

Bull Elk at Sunset

Photo of bull tule elk at sunset. — Tule Elk in Velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

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.

May 14, 2011Uncategorized

Large Bull Tule Elk in Velvet

Photo of bull tule elk in velvet feeding at sunset. — Bull Tule Elk in Velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

This 6×7 bull is probably the largest one I’ve seen on the Tomales Peninsula. However, you won’t see him in the elk enclosure. He and four other bulls live outside the enclosure. They escaped some time ago and I don’t think there is any plan to try to capture them and return them to the preserve. I think this is the same individual I posted on this blog roaming around inside a corral at the Kehoe Ranch months ago. I’ve seen him on his own several times over the past year. The other four seem to stay together.

May 13, 2011Uncategorized

A Young Bull Tule Elk Finds An Antler to Chew On.

Photo of an elk chewing on a deer antler. — Young Bull Elk with Deer Antler, Point Reyes National Seashore

The young bull tule elk on the left is fortunate to have found a shed antler to chew on. Shed antlers are an important source of minerals, such as calcium. He laid down and worked on the antler for about half an hour. The other young bull would like to have it. Such is life.

A couple of days ago I remembered that I started this blog when I was in Yellowstone in May of last year. I checked and found that I published the first photo on May 13, 2010. A year ago today.

April 29, 2011Uncategorized

Bull Tule Elk in Velvet, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of bull tule elk in lush grass. — It’s Spring and the Living is Easy.

This photo was taken yesterday at Point Reyes National Seashore. It’s a great time to be out with a camera if you like to photograph wildlife. Members of the deer family are growing new antlers. Babies are being born, both predators and prey. I saw several elk calves yesterday. Wildflowers are also underway. If you look closely, you can see lots of douglas iris to go with the cow parsnip.