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T.R. Michels Outdoor Photography
Duck, Goose, Swan, Crane, Egret, Heron & Wading Bird, Eagle / Hawk, Elk / Moose, Turkey, Whitetail, Wolf, Wildflower, Scenic, Sunrise / Sunset. Exotic / Zoo Animals
Tawnya Michels Outdoor Photography
Eagles, Sandhill Cranes, Swans, Sunrise / Sunset, Scenic
Mike Brooks Outdoor Photography
Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison, Elk, Mule Deer, Coyote, Fox, Wildflowers, Scenic
Trinity Mountain Outdoors Photography
Ducks, Geese, Swans, Songbirds, Upland Game Birds, Wading Birds, Shorebirds, Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Coyote, Mountain Lion, Red & Gray Fox, Wolves, Wildflowers, Scenic, Sunrise / Sunset
Photo Gallery Index & Photo, Calendar and Post / Note Card Prices
We offer Natural History Eco-Tours & Photography Trips to several State and National Parks and other areas for Bighorn Sheep, Elk Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Moose, Wild Turkey, White-tailed Deer; $200 per person per day; maximum of 4 persons.
Wildflower & Scenery Photography Tours; $20 per person for 1-3 hours; minimum of 2 persons.
For more information contact T.R. Michels at Trinity Mountain Outdoor Adventures.
Order a 2007 Calendar of these Photos
Photograph, Calendar, Note Card & Post Card Price List
To purchase photos contact T.R. Michels.
All photos are copyrighted, unless otherwise stated.
These are low-resolution photos
North American Elk (Cervus elaphus)
North American elk (Cervus elaphus), which are a subpecies of the Eurasian red deer, were originally found from the western shores to the Atlantic states. But, due to excessive hunting, they were exterminated from much of North America in the 1800's.
Rocky Mountain Elk reach lengths of 7-9 1/2 feet, heights of 4 1/2 to 5 feet; males weigh 600-1,100 pounds, females 450-650, live 15-20 years. Color is brown to tan with darker head, neck, belly and legs, with a rump patch of light tan to yellowish. Breed September through November, gestation 7 1/2-8 months, 1-2 calves each year born from May to July, usually late May to mid June.
The tracks of the front hoof are 4-4 1/2 inches long, hind hoof slightly smaller; the hind hoof generally falls in or near the front hoof -dewclaw marks may appear behind the hoofs in mud or snow. Droppings are usually clumps in the spring and summer, and large pellets in the fall and winter.
During the fall/rut the males rub trees and thrash brush and evergreens with their antlers, often make scrapes on dry ground with their antlers when they get up out of their beds, and make wallows with their antlers in muddy or wet areas. They often urinate in the scrape or wallow and urinate on themselves, then roll in the scrape and wallow express dominance and attract females.
Males generally carry antlers of from 1-6 points on each side during their first year, 4 or more points during their second year, and 5 or more points after their second year; with the main beams getting heavier, longer and wider apart until the seventh to eight year, when the lengths of the tines may become shorter.
Transplants of the Rocky Mountain subspecies of elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) by private parties including James J. Hill, owner of the Great Northern Railroad, brought elk back to the Minnesota. Population estimates ran as high as 150 animals in the early 1900's. Elk are currently found in one or two areas in the northwestern potion of Minnesota. Extensive poaching and illegal reductions due to crop depredation have kept the population below 70 animals in recent years.
Elk Communication
Listen to an Elk Bugle.
T.R. Michels' Elk Activity Studies
All of these photos were taken on our Elk Bugling Tours and Photography Trips in southern Minnesota. |
