Elk

Certainly the name of this valley (Elk Park) is appropriate. There are herds of elk from one end of the valley to the other on both sides of the interstate. The herd sizes vary from about a dozen to almost 75 or maybe even more.

Last night and this morning the elk were funny, it was almost like they are on a time clock. They will come down behind the house at different times of the day but usually they show up in the early evening and they will be out there grazing all night until about 5:30-6:00 and then they start moseying back up into the tree line until they feel it’s time to come back out. Certainly the weather plays a part in it, but this morning it was like they were in a factory and the whistle went off at 5:45 am and it was like they packed up their lunch boxes and headed for the hills. You could almost see them shooting the breeze about their work shift as they walked back up into the tree line.

Last night was the first night that a lot of them brought their calves out. So it was almost like bring your kid to work day. Usually they will hide their calves up in the trees and go back and forth. Last night some of the calves that are probably a week or so old came out and it was fun watching them play with each other and then they bedded down in a group. Almost like a day care nap time.

Anyway it is always interesting to watch them and you kind of take it for granted.

The Bison in Yellowstone chaulked up another victory this week as a 83 year old women was gored by one in the park. People just don’t realize how fast and agile those bison can be. Yes they might look like a big hairy cow, but they sure as hell can tear stuff up quickly when they want to.

Today is the primary election here in Montana so I will be taking the folks down to the fire hall to vote. This is the first year that Mom has not worked as a election judge. She did it for 50 + years. She was trying to remember yesterday the year she first started doing it. Of course all the ladies she started with are long gone. She certainly has seen a lot of changes in how the voting has been conducted over the years.

Well I better get moving.