September, 2024
Yes! They arrived! It was just my very first full day here and the Elk had arrived! Oh my word, how glorious is that? I saw them years ago during my first camping trip to Dosewallips. But I didn’t know, before this year’s trip, that I would see them again. What a thrill. I don’t know if I’m an Elk whisperer … or maybe it’s “Towhee the Trailer” who is an Elk whisperer. 🙂
This very first morning I woke up, then tidied up inside my trailer, had breakfast, but fairly soon went outside for a look around. Whoa! The Elk were here! Neighboring camper folk said the Elk arrived late last night and settled inside the campground for a night’s sleep. By the time I went outside and discovered they were here, most of them were up and walking around, eating, just slowly and calmly meandering around.
The video below was taken as I stood right next to my trailer, looking north. There were three Elk, then four, young females (cows) eating luscious green grass, just 50 feet or so away from me. I just stood there and enjoyed the scene. The second video below shows the fourth female walking over and joining the other three. [The road noise is from highway 101.]
This next video shows a few of them walking, standing, eating … not in any hurry to get anywhere.
The video below shows the Elk in the area where they usually sleep, when they sleep inside the campground. The park rangers block off that section during times when Elk are apt to show up here. Over on the right, I zoom in on two younger bulls. The two young fellows are almost never close to the rest of the herd … they even sleep off to one side of the main group.
Of the many photos I took, here are just a few of my favorites below. Some of the Elk are still settled on the ground, not having gotten up yet from their night’s sleep.
In the photo below, Henry (the alpha male) and Clarice (the alpha female, she’s darker than the others) are still lying where they slept last night. Henry is scratching himself … he had been scratching himself for several minutes and grunting and groaning the whole time, making quite a bit of noise. I suspect she got tired of all the noise and finally told Henry to “be quiet or go somewhere else, I can’t rest with you making all that racket!”
As soon as she voiced her opinion, Henry got up and left!
He walked WAY over to the edge of the campground, turned around and stood in between a picnic table and some bushes, along with a large tree there on the right that was partly in front of him, with that other female in front of him, and he just stood there and stared back towards Clarice. He stood there a long time. I’ve read that it’s actually the alpha female that runs the herd, that she is the one who tells the alpha male when to be protective of the herd, when to be aggressive. Now I believe it!
I decided not to mess with Clarice!
The entire herd left the campground that morning, but came back in the afternoon for another snack and a nap. I’ll share photos of that in the next blog post.
The Dosewallips State Park is my favorite!!
This is just amazing.
Thanks Dawn. I thought so too!
I’ve hiked back country in WA, OR and ID for years! and never had these sorts of close encouters with elk. I suppose your elk are more acclimated to/with humans, but this is so cool.
I was surprised how calm the elk were around humans (and dogs!), yes maybe this herd has acclimated. I kind of wish they wouldn’t. But I love seeing them.
Henry and Clarice, I love it. Obviously Clarice is in charge!
I suspect Henry has his moments of being the boss. But in their everyday life, it does seem like Clarice is in charge. 🙂
Are there elk in Nebraska? I don’t know. But I’d love to see them, especially if I could see them as you encounter them. Ha! Henry and Clarice. Nice names. 🙂
Check with state agencies, Nebraska. But I’d bet there are elk in Nebraska. Whether there are places you can go to see wild elk, in the wild, well that’s another question. I sure hope so! 🙂
I’ve been saving money to buy an RV trailer for six years now. I need to buy one! Your blog is such an incentive … destinations, and your info about care of the rig. Dosewallips in September!!!
Oh Emily I hope you buy a rig soon. I absolutely love traveling in nice weather for a week or so, several times a year, and seeing all manner of extraordinary things and talking with all manner of extraordinary people. One planet, one people, that’s my motto. 🙂
Your photos and journeys are wonderful. I learn and they are peaceful and fun. Thank you.
You are absolutely welcome, Ruby, my pleasure. 🙂
I love the names Henry and Clarice!! How did you know? 🙂 That gave me a great big smile that will last a long time. Thank you. My husband snores really loudly, and that’s all I’ll say about that!! 🙂
Well, Henry and Clarice introduced themselves to me when I first walked by. I’m not sure whether they were speaking English or I was speaking “Elk”, but I seemed to understand them. Ha! then you likely understand Clarice’s comments about Henry’s noise. Fun stuff … well, from here anyway. 🙂 Thanks Wanda.
Henry and Clarice, that’s great. I didn’t know elk had human names. There sure is a lot we don’t know about animals, eh? You are so smart to be able to understand elk language. wink 🙂
I was amazed how calm the elk are when humans were walking so close, or seemed to me it was so close. But like someone else here said, maybe the elk are so used to humans that this herd of elk doesn’t feel threatened by us. I bet if we walked in among them when they were lying down, it would be a different story! We’d be toast!!
Oh yes, and their kids and everyone in the herd had names. Yes, elk language can be difficult but if you study it, then you will understand. wink 🙂
Oh, indeed, I would NOT be walking in amongst them. During the first trip here (2018?), I did watch some folks attempt to walk in between part of the herd after it had settled down for a nap. The entire herd got up and started towards the humans! The humans backed off!
The elk walk so close to campers and trucks and people and don’t seem to care. That’s amazing. It’s really great that humans and other mammals can live together in peace.
I like that too, Mark. I hope we don’t interfere with the elk (or other mammals) so much we change their behavior, but it sure is nice to watch some trust between mammals.
Lots of elk here in Montana, but none seem to settle into a community like yours do. Ours are skittish and defensive and move on when approached. I haven’t lived in an area where the elk return year after year like they do where you are, so maybe if they did that here, then they would be more comfortable here. What an experience to see them, and be with them. I can imagine that, would love to experience that. We just sold our motorhome so won’t be traveling. That was a hard thing to do. For both of us. Please keep on posting your photos of your trips, means all the world to us. Here’s to Henry and Clarice … and to you! Thank you!
Gosh, I assumed the same sorts of things were happening in other elk territory where there is little human habitation, but where there is at least some regular human habitation. Actually, I rather like that the elk in Montana stay separate from humans.
Oh, I’m sorry you folks sold your motorhome, Tim. If I remember correctly, you had it and traveled in it for many years. I hope you keep those wonderful memories close at hand, and at heart. Thank you Tim.
Brilliant! There are no elk in England.
Thank you Henry! 🙂
I didn’t realize elk were extinct in England. I know there aren’t many left in Scotland, from habitat destruction and hunting. That’s very sad to me. Scotland has recently introduced two other mammal species back into their wilderness, maybe they can keep the elk there too.