The end of September is prime rut season for the elk in Estes Park.  They don't usually make it up to our house, but every once in a while we get a herd moving through.  I just wish I would have been around to watch this drama unfold.  This poor tree ended up being the target of some bull elk wanting to show off his stuff.  I hope the cows were impressed!

Andy and I were walking along a quiet trail in RMNP the other day when I spotted something in the trees.  "Elk!" I said.  Andy looked up and cried, "Moose!"  "Elk!" I replied.  How could he not know the difference?  He said, "No, that's a moose."  I was beginning to think we were both crazy when I saw it.  A moose!  Then, Andy saw the elk.  We were both right!  It was fascinating to watch the interaction between this young female moose and two young bull elk.  They weren't too sure of each other and quickly the moose walked away.  There were too many trees for good pictures, but here's what I got. You never know who you'll see in the woods.

It must be tough to be a "city" bear.  If you stay out too long in the morning, you get caught and have to wait up in a tree all day.  This is especially inconvenient if you have young cubs with you.  This momma bear found herself in just this predicament.  Her cubs were restless, wanted to nurse, play and frolic, but despite her sleepiness, she kept her children close by until nightfall.  Stay safe out there!

When we heard the elk bugling all through the night, we figured they were close by.  It turns out that the bull elk bugle carries a long way, though, so on the way to the farmers market, we drove by the herd.  Most of the elk had wandered far away from the road, but there was an elder bull who was clearly frustrated.  He was limping a bit and rested in the grass for a while before roughing up the bushes, peeing on himself, checking out a cow and challenging his rival.  Not much of a challenge, but it was fascinating to watch them use the tree for protection.  So, that is how the lower branches of ponderosa pine trees break!  We also got to see a couple of cow elk engage in a little spat.  What a show!

The Newlands neighborhood used to be an orchard.  Because of this, there are LOTS of apple trees in the neighborhood and bears love to visit in the fall.  Of course, they prefer trash and human scraps, but the bear-proof trash cans have worked pretty well this year.  That said, there have been numerous bear sightings in the neighborhood and we finally got to see one!  This poor soul probably stayed out too late in the morning and then got spooked and climbed up into this big cottonwood tree.  Nothing to do but wait until dark.   A CPW resource officer, Andy and several other volunteers kept watch so that he/she wouldn't get harassed during the day.  The funniest thing was when he/she had to poop and pee.  A bear goes wherever a bear wants to.  Look out below!  I hope this bear stays out of trouble for the rest of the fall.  It looks like it is going to make it through the winter just fine.

It was hot, dry and windy in Estes Park last Wednesday, and there was definitely a distinct rotting smell by our house.  Tiva had no trouble finding the source of the odor -- a dead fawn lay near the road.  It was clearly a "cat" kill.  Its hind quarters and internal organs (except the stomach) were gone, its legs were still attached and a partial bury spot was nearby.  With masks on our faces, we set up the trail camera and hoped we'd get some action.  Action we got!  A family of coyotes came by several times and ate almost all the rest.  We think it is a family of two adults and 3 pups.  They hardly left enough for the ravens and vultures the following morning.  Enjoy!

It has been a smoky summer and I've had a challenge getting a good Milky Way picture.  This Wednseday, though, we finally got to see the show.  How exciting so see so many stars!

It has been hot in Estes this fall, but the deer rut has officially started.  We know this buck well since he has a short tail (without the black tip on it).  He's grown up quite a bit over the years and is the first one we've seen who has lost his velvet this season.  We had fun watching the younger buck size him (and his antlers) up.  My favorite scene, though, is the look of fear on a doe as he approached her.  Look out!