September, 2024
The Elk left the campground that morning (in last week’s blog post), but they returned early that same afternoon. I suspect they spent the rest of the morning out on the tide flats, on the grasses, munching away, out near the waters of Hood Canal. And now, after their mid day repast out there, they were interested in a little siesta, a little nap. So, they came back to the campground. I was happy with that. 🙂
The two young fellows arrived (below).
And then all the women arrived (below).
And the young folks and the alpha male (Henry) arrived as well.
Eventually, everyone found a spot and settled in for their afternoon siesta.
Ah, peace was upon the herd. Henry was down for his siesta (below), but the kid behind him kept looking up at Clarice (the alpha female) as if to ask “hey mom are you going to sleep here with me?” And mom kept looking at Henry and wondering if he was going to snort and groan and keep everyone awake again this afternoon.
Eventually, everyone settled down. In the photo below, Henry is off on the very extreme right side of the photo. Clarice is nearby. The young elk are in the middle, with adult female elk on the outer edges.
Way off to the right, WAY off to the right, were those two younger male elk (below).
As the herd settled down to sleep, I ventured a few feet closer, and was ever conscious of any reaction from them. But they didn’t react, no one cared that I was getting closer.
You’ll see the alpha male, Henry, pretty much sound asleep in the photo below.
And then, a few moments later, his head fell to the side and he truly must have been sound asleep. He has lots of responsibilities … he needs rest and sweet dreams.
The photo below was taken from a distance. The herd is under the trees in the middle of the photo, or just to the right of the middle. People are walking around, dogs are in the area. The two young bulls are asleep under the trees off to the right, outside of this photo.
You can see there are no RV’s or campers in that area where the Elk are sleeping. The campground staff are sure to keep that area clear and safe for the Elk … and safe for us! There are more camping areas north and west of this campground area, all still in Dosewallips State Park, where people who had reserved campsites in this part of the campground would still have campsites right next door.
The Elk came back again later in the week and I had even more adventures with them. Some people try again and again, yet never see the Elk … I can’t get away from them! What a blessing, eh? 🙂
Stay tuned for a few non-Elk adventures coming up. Thanks for riding along with me, and thanks to everyone for your comments, I really like them.
Wonderful!
🙂 It was. Thank you.
Your elk encounters are wonderful! We both love the info and the humor. Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thanks, always, for the comments. 🙂
So good to see Henry and Clarice again, such nice folks. 🙂
Really amazing that the bull elk would fall asleep with you standing there taking pictures!
I was amazed that he fell so sound asleep so fast with me not that far away. Maybe they sense I’m no danger to them.
Great photos. It would be spectacular to be there and be that close to them. Thank you.
Indeed, Judy, I was amazed and it sure was spectacular to be that close. You are welcome!
I’m amazed the elk let people so close to them. And then they go to sleep! Sure, maybe this herd is used to humans, but still, it’s amazing. I also thought the bull elk would be in the middle of the group of sleeping elk, but he’s off to the side. Is he always off to the side?
I’m amazed too, Kinny. It was so cool. And yes, that alpha bull elk is always off to one side of the group, at least when I’ve seen them he is. The center of the sleeping group is taken up by the young ones, then the adult females surround the young ones, then the alpha male bull elk is right on the outer edge. Very interesting that he is NOT the center of attention.
Wow. To watch them sleep is amazing.
I stood and stared for a long time, watching them settle down, then fall asleep. It felt so special to be there and be able to do that. Thanks Dawn.
In the video, it looks to be that the bull is making a sound, but I hear nothing. A mate of mine says the sound bull elk make is a very small high pitch squeak. Is that true? Is my mate pulling my leg? It seems to me they should roar! Do you know?
Yes, Henry, I didn’t hear anything either, either in person when I was taking that video or later when I watched the video, and I thought that male elk would be making a noise. Your mate is not pulling your leg, the male elk makes a very high squeaky sound, not the loud bellow that we might think he should make.
I must admit that I thought “pulling your leg” was a USA phrase, but when you used it I then looked it up online and found that the phrase originated in England. The USA did not invent the world! And maybe the USA can learn from others. 🙂 Thanks Henry.
In my travel trailer adventures, if there are animals like elk nearby, most people are afraid of them (and maybe rightly so), but those people then don’t stand and watch like you do. Sure from a distance is best. It’s really great that you spend time watching, waiting, noticing behavior … ok, and making up conversations. 🙂 How many of the readers here have seen an alpha bull elk lying flat out on the ground sound asleep? I haven’t and I’ve seen lots of elk. Fun stuff, thank you.
Wow, thank you Susan. I bet you have stories to tell!! I am glad I have a zoom lens, that’s for sure. Thanks for you comments, really nice. 🙂
Have you told the park rangers that these elk have names? Of course they have names! How perfect that you listen, and learn their names. Henry and Clarice. You need to write a book. This is just so cool.
Ah, no I didn’t tell the park rangers that the elk told me their names. Next time I’m camped at Dosewallips, I will make a point of letting the park rangers know the names of the elk. I’m sure Henry and Clarice will appreciate that. 🙂 A book, maybe a kids’ book … ok, gotta put that on my list. That would be fun. Thanks Joe.
Wow, they sleep while you’re within visual range of them. They must trust us. Or maybe there are appointed “watchers” who stay awake.
Yes, Jamie, exactly … most of them slept but there were always a few of the adult females around the outer edge that stayed awake. They seemed to take turns staying awake. The “watchers”, just like you said. 🙂
Fascinating stuff! We’ve seen Elk, but never a group of them sleeping! Good observations. Let us know when the book is published.
Ha! Ok, FG, I’m writing that book as I type. 🙂 Well, ok, maybe not. But it would be a fun thing to do, and it really IS on my list.