Tag: tule elk calf

Tule Elk

Elk Calf; Point Reyes National Seashore

This elk calf spent over an hour by itself exploring a stock pond near Pierce Point Ranch.
A young elk calf wades into a stock pond near Pierce Point Ranch.

I was out at Point Reyes yesterday and it was the first time this year I saw elk calves in the elk reserve/enclosure at Tomales Point.   I saw elk calves at Drakes Beach about a month ago.  The elk in the reserve seem to be about a month behind the Drakes Beach herd in mating and giving birth.

It seemed like there were more cows with calves than I’ve seen in years.  If true,  it could be because of the heavy winter rains.  I’ll be interested in seeing if the elk count shows more calves this year.

I saw this little guy wade into the pond.  I watched him for about an hour and I finally left.  His mom came to the pond a few times.  She called and seemed to want him to follow her, but he ignored her.  He roamed all over the pond; drinking water occasionally.

If you look closely you can see a lump on the bridge of his nose.  A cyst?  I don’t know.  Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.

Tule Elk

Tule Elk Calf, Point Reyes National Seashore

Photo of tule elk calf.
One of Many Tule Elk Calves, Pierce Point Ranch

At the end of my most recent day out at Point Reyes I did what I usually do, which is to drive out the Tomales Peninsula to the Pierce Point Ranch area to photograph the elk that move to the east side of the road in the last light before sunset.  It’s great that they do that because you can use your car as a blind and be fairly close to them.   That they cross the road then is crucial so you don’t have to shoot into the sun.

Luckily, the cow elk do this most of the time about an hour before sunset.  They were right on schedule that day.   There were about 50 cows and yearlings and another 20 to 30 calves.  I don’t recall nearly as many calves there last year.   If you want to photograph elk calves this is a good time to do it there.

Elk

Elk On The Run

This is a photo of a tule elk calf running through tall grass.
Tule Elk Calf, Point Reyes National Seashore

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.

Tule Elk

A Tule Elk Calf Stands in Tall Grass

Photo of tule elk calf standing in tall grass.
Tule Elk Calf, Point Reyes National Seashore

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.