Author: Elaine

Stopping for Elk

Elk

We see deer so often in our valley that I rarely even remark them anymore, unless I see them doing something particularly unusual. However, on those rare occasions when we see elk here, I almost always stop and watch them if I have the time. There is one set of meadows that I aways check when I drive by in the late afternoon or early evening, and yesterday afternoon I was rewarded by seeing a herd of at least ten. Some of these were laying down when I first saw them, but aside from getting to their feet, they didn’t seem particularly worried by me stopping to take their photo.

Elk are so improbable, as if they had been constructed by someone who had heard about deer, but had never actually seen one.

Update: Jack reminds me that they are actually called wapiti.

The Crud

After four days of suffering from some low level respiratory bug, I seem to be well this morning. Lody will be pleased: she has been trying to tell me that even middle-aged, sedentary Collies need an occasional walk. Every morning I have promised her walkies, and then thought better of the idea while doing barn chores and realizing that Colorado suffers from a serious lack of oxygen. My must-do list of barn chores is quite short, and if I can’t get through them without feeling winded and exhausted, then I figure I must be sick. I don’t respond well to cold medicines, so I am limited to whining a lot and feeling sorry for myself when I get cold symptoms.