38, experienced huge old elk bull (Cervus canadensis) in rut posture ready & willing to fight to protect his herd from adult male intruders
ANGRY AND AGITATED large bull elk about to fight another bull (or YOU). Head angle and nose / mouth behavior is typical fight posturing. Nothing compares to the magnificence of a stately North American bull elk in the fall during the rut (breeding season). Some Native Americans called them Wapiti (which, I’m told, is Shawnee for “white rump”). North America’s elk are similar to Europe’s stag (red deer, Cervus elaphus), and Europeans tend to call N. Am. elk "moose," but our moose are different (Alces alces). Whatever you call them, N. Am. bull elk that strut with 40# antlers held high are magnificent to see any time of the year, but especially if you are within whispering distance during the rut. In October and November their shrill rolling whistle/bugle-like calls can be heard day or night in many mountain and high desert areas of western United States and Canada, including the Rocky Mountains and in some areas all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Elk are fun to watch, but when in full rut in the fall mating season, if you intrude, they’d just as soon fight you as another bull. I have had five minutes of that "displeasure," and was fortunate enough to emerge with no antler holes. Unfortunately, I was too busy protecting myself to get good super-close photos. HIGHLY unpredictable fellows. Especially when you think you have them figured out. ---- Vacation and travel in North America and experience the wonder, excitement, and thrill of its great scenic wild areas, wilderness, wildlife, scenery, panoramas and ALL the great outdoors. United States, Canada.
Size: 5400px × 4063px
Location: Jasper, Alberta, Canada, North America, Americas.
Photo credit: © Robert C Paulson Jr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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