Elk called Wapiti by the Native Americans are abundant in Colorado as it has the largest population in North America of the species. Males are called Bulls, females are called Cows and young elk are called Calves. They are ungulates that are critical to the habitat. They re-engineer the terrain as they browse and trample their domain until it is barren of vegetation as they perform their own version of crop rotation. They are also vital prey for the predators.
Elk Being Groomed 
Herd Grouping Up 
Elk Grazing On Green Mountain 
Elk Cow In Pines 
Herd Foraging 
That Is A Big Tounge
Elk are second only to moose as the largest member of the cervidae family. Adult elk weigh over 600 pounds and if threatened can be formidable advisories but their preference is to herd up and form defensive formations, mostly circles that calves will often be in the middle of, this same behavior is performed by their bovidae cousins the buffalo.
Elk Herd Getting Close Together 
Elk Cow 
Elk Headed To Golf Course
Wapiti are the noisiest member of the ungulates. Their vocalization that is best know is called bugling that bull elk will sound to attract cows letting them know that he is fit and ready for mating. They also bugle to ward off other bulls and warn them he is willing to fight to protect his harem. Calves will also make high pitched squeals as they communicate with their mothers. Grunts, mews and chirps are used by the herd for general communication.
Golden Herd Blocking Walking Path 
The Man 
Elk at Summit Lake
Hank and Lola
Hank and Lola are the alpha bull and cow of the Green Mountain herd. Hank is easily is over 750 pounds and Lola is over 600. On my WaltAbouts I have often seen them together with the herd and on their own. Hank is the undisputed head of the herd but Lola is the one that runs it. She will often be the first one to enter a pasture and the last one to leave as the herd moves on. Both Hank and Lola have approached me many times as I have been in their territory. My predictability factor had again proven to be favorable with wildlife and some very large ones at that. Lola has on a number of times performed a parallel march with me while I was on the trail. She would approach me as I walked my bike on the path, once she was adjacent to me Lola would walk in lock step with me. Lola has also stayed with me when the herd has left until I moved on at times corralling me to join the rest of the herd only letting me go about my way when we caught up to them.
My Bike Scout And The Elk 
Elk Herd Grazing 
Elk Herd Grazing In Meadow 
Elk Cows Visiting Golden Social Services
The elk are one of my favorite animals to come along while on WaltAbout. Their beautiful chestnut coats from the neck up and lighter brown coats on the rest of their body are a postcard right out a Currier and Ives catalog. This regal species is not only beautiful but a great example of mother nature providing her children with abilities to not only survive but to flourish in her domain. I have found elk from my local roaming territory to Summit Lake on Mount Evans but the local herd on Green Mountain has provided me with the most insight and treasured moments with them.
