Elk in the Cataloochee Valley by tennesseecowgirl

Photography • Animals • posted on Oct 25, 2010

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Description

Me and my son drove out to North Carolina last Friday, and we were lucky enough to see over 50 elk. We had a great time, he is back home now, but it was great to spend part of his vacation together. I will try to post a few others from our day in in the Cataloochee Valley very soon. UPDATE: You all ask such great questions, I wish I had thought to ask a ranger some of them, George you asked where the elk were brought in from, I tried to research that and what I could find was they were brought in from Canada. Thanks for the interest everyone. The experimental release of elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in February, 2001 with the importation of 25 elk, In 2002, the park imported another 27 animals. All elk are radio collared and are monitored. Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s. The best times to view elk are usually early morning and late evening. Elk may also be active on cloudy summer days and before or after storms. Enjoy elk at a distance, using binoculars or a spotting scope for close-up views. Approaching wildlife too closely causes them to expend crucial energy unnecessarily and can result in real harm. If you approach an animal so closely that it stops feeding, changes direction of travel, or otherwise alters its behavior, you are too close! Elk Facts SIZE: adult males weigh an average of 600-700 pounds. Cows average 500 pounds. Adults are 7-10 feet long from nose to tail and stand 4.5 - 5 feet tall at the shoulder. Adult males have antlers that may reach a width of five feet. DIET: grasses, forbs, and acorns; bark, leaves, and buds from shrubs and trees. PREDATORS: coyotes, bobcats, and black bears may kill young, sick, or injured elk. Gray wolves and mountain lions, both of which have been extirpated from the Great Smoky Mountains, are successful predators of elk elsewhere. OFFSPRING: cows usually give birth to only one calf per year. Newborns weigh about 35 pounds. They can stand within minutes of birth and calf and cow usually rejoin the herd within a couple of weeks. Calves nurse for 1-7 months. Females are ready to breed in the second autumn of their lives. LIFESPAN: elk can live as long as 15 years. SENSES: elk have an acute sense of smell and excellent eyesight. Cataloochee Valley

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Comments (94)

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Flint_Hawk

9:45AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

That's a splendid looking animal! Great capture & very interesting information!

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gaius

9:46AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Excellent shot and many thanks for the informations.

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danapommet

10:10AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

There are great photos and then there is this one. Exceptional capture and beautiful rack. Dana

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MagikUnicorn

10:13AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Everything come from Canada...except the cheapers stuff from CHINA ;-) Gorgeous capture TOP CLASS PICTURE

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Vialliy

10:44AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Impressive animal. Good cap.

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lick.a.witch

10:59AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Beautiful animal. Fabulous shot! ^=^

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Meisiekind

11:23AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

What a majestic animal and your capture is beautiful Lynell. I like the crop. The soft light on the coat and antlers is stunning. He is clearly not interested in posing... The grass is probably way to yummy!

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flavia49

11:23AM | Tue, 26 October 2010

superb image and elk!!

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pat40

12:15PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

really stunning pic.

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drifterlee

12:44PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

He looks huge. Excellent shot!

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emmecielle

12:54PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Wonderful capture! :)

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aksirp

12:57PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

must be a great trip:) beautiful elk, love this picture!!

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Umbetro38

1:06PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

great picture and as always well worth seeing

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MirageBay

1:23PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Magnificent animal and a great shot. Thanks for the information, too! We have lots of elk in Michigan, but they're further north than where I am.

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cvrad

1:56PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

very majestic looking creature it must have been amazing to see such large animals in the wild.

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Richardphotos

2:05PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

you mean to say they are illegal immigrants!!just joking.I doubt that I have ever seen one in the wild.a beautiful animal.do not see why people kill them for sport

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moochagoo

3:05PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

You were lucky. Excellent composition !

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jmb007

5:00PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

belle bete!!

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tryky5carla

6:18PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

EXCELLENT CAPTURE, I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

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Blush

7:28PM | Tue, 26 October 2010

Great capture sis Been in bed sick for 2 days missed chemo Now I go in Thurs will get fussed at but not going to chemo sick Had terrible storms here today wind high as 55 miles per hour and buildings shut down for the longest time..........was black as night and me sick Hugs Your Ky sis Susan~

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