Tule Elk Calf, Point Reyes National Seashore
This is one of two calves I photographed a couple of days ago in the elk preserve. The other was much smaller (and younger). It was also noticeably darker.
Tag: point reyes elk
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.
