Joy of Light Photoblog
Retiring from the Meadow
Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 10 October 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
Roosevelt Elk along Prairie Creek - ( last in the series of four images )
As each of the thirty females moved into the thicket - the bull watched intently - moving from side to side to herd the few cows that had yet to rise from their late afternoon grazing and rest. Here - the last of the cows retire into the wood - and the bull turns to take one last look in my direction. After confirming I was keeping my distance - and that none of the young males from the clearing beyond had any interest in challenging his dominance - I watched as he followed the last of the females into the dark cover of the forest.
I stood alone - amazed at what I had witnessed. It wouldn't have struck me so powerfully - but for having come across the young bulls in the adjoining meadow - and then seeing what transpired here. The juvenile males will have their time in the years to come - as they mature and this elegant bull ages. This is life. To have witnessed all of this over just a few minutes of time - in solitude - was a humbling experience.
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