Lots of elk

Outside over 10 elk populate our yard. Some sit on the ground watching down the hill. Others mill around looking for things to chew and seeing what we've been doing outside. They look at the new zip line, touch it with their nose, then go back to chewing things on the ground. We just had our house stained so they are very curious about the new scents.




Last week the painter accidently got stain on one of our garter snakes as it was sunning. He picked it up by the tail wiping it down with a towel. The snake surprised him by hissing and spitting. This week the same snake followed him around the house and sprang at him when he gave down his ladder. Our painter is now having nightmares and I'm rethinking my spring photo sessions with the snakes.

Elk

Opening the front door I see 10 elk rumps across the driveway. They appear in larger groups than the deer, and stay very focused on eating low vegetation. A few branch off to the backyard to see what birdseed they want. They are the only animals to visit our yard that are tall enough to reach the top of the birdfeeder stand. If I go on the deck they seem to enjoy eye contact. When we are ready to leave their gait is that of a very tall, lanky adolescent, not very graceful, but with purpose.

Soon they will be in nearby Elk Meadow with their young. Groups of over 100 will be published in the local paper. Driving into town splinter groups will walk along the sidewalks.

In a few months I will see the backend of the elk out my backdoor, as they stand in the flowerbed. I’ve found flowers they won’t eat, but that doesn’t stop them from gently pulling them up and sitting them in a pile for me to replant.