Elk, Elk, Some More Elk, and Oh, a Buffalo Too

Yesterday Bill and I had had about all we could stand of staying cooped up in the house.  The weather has been windy, rainy, dreary and just plain yucky.  We had a short break in the wind; Bill asked what I wanted to do, so I said, let's go find the elk.  South Dakota doesn't have a huge elk population so they can be kind of tricky to find.......I only know one spot that you have any kind of chance to find them so off to Wind Cave National Park we went.  Again South Dakota doesn't have a huge elk population so it's kind of a crap shoot to find them.........Mother Nature smiled on us.  

We found one descent sized herd; I took a short hike to be able to photograph them.  They were far enough away that I couldn't clearly see their antlers - please forgive the less than spectacular photo's.  As we drove home toward Custer State Park we found a bachelor group of 3 bulls that I was able to get within about 40-50 yards of one of the bulls; then found 2 bulls hanging a little farther down the road.  Just as we entered into the State Park, we found a small group of elk.......5 cows and 5 bulls in total......a couple of spikes, a small 4 point that must have just been kicked out of the group, another small 4 point and the herd bull - who had only one horn.  He may have only had one horn, but he certainly knew what time of year it is and that his hormones were to be raging.  

And yes, Custer State Park and Wind Cave both have healthy populations of buffalo.  One guy happened to be in a good spot with the sun shining exactly the way it should be.  So, yes, I couldn't resist a shot of him also.  I've become a ........PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!!!!

Our one buff that gave me a descent photo op.

The herd of elk when I first found them.  Notice the bull....lounging in the sun.

He did stand, take a walk over the edge, just simply turn around to watch over his harem.

And with a grunt the girls gather to change real estate.

Surveying to ensure everyone followed.

The magistrate has successfully kept his harem together.

One of the three bulls we found along side of the road.

Not real big, but he sure was handsome.

Can you not hear him saying, "Did you need somethin'?"

These two were far more camera shy.  The big one of the bunch is the closest to the camera.

A 'silent' bugle.

Handsome.

So, he finally stops for a photo....in the timber.  This guy is smart.  Notice how wide he is.

The last group we saw.

He knows exactly what time of year it is.

Indeed....a great day to be on earth.  A great day spent with my Husband.  Life. Is. Good!