Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

My wife and I have been seeing so many pictures of elk in Estes Park over the years that when we had the chance, we made it a priority to go there and see them for ourselves. Once we got to the town, we realized we had been mislead. The elk where all in Rocky Mountain National Park and only come into town when the snow gets to thick for them to find food. The people we talked to said that there might be some in town from time to time, but mostly the pictures we where seeing where out in the country and not in the city.

Since that proved to be a bust, we drove through the park to see what we could find. The first three bulls where in the tundra, or right at the line where the trees stop, which is where I was expecting to find them this time of the year. I guess believing that they would be in a city during the heat of summer was naive on my part. The fourth bull was with a few cows down a bit lower. All of them where in the rut with herds of cows. The two middle pictures where bugling pretty steady!!!! For my wife and I, there is nothing that compares to watching a bull elk bugle!!!!!

These pictures where all taken on Thursday, Sep 1st.

Cool pictures

My parents just got home last night from Estes and took pictures of of several elk in town this past week.. Got to be in the right spot at the right time. Now, we were there late July and saw a few but most were in the park..

Some really nice bulls up there

great pics.

Another one of the second bull. He was bugling non stop!!!

Dandy bull. Thats a trip I plan on taking.

It's just a great time to be up in RMNP. All of September is spectacular.

Especially late September and early October when the aspen leaves start to cange color. Absolutely beautiful country and a big reason why I moved up here. Great pics, Estes is awesome.

I made it up to Estes four out of the last five years during July & saw elk in town each time. I think it is a matter of timing like Stevarino noted. That being said, we saw more in the park. Mr Walker, what did you think of Estes Park overall & RMNP if you don't mind me asking.

Great pics!

I'm not a fan of lots of people or artsy towns. I felt Estes Park was both. Breckenridge was worse, but in my opinion, every one of those mountain towns that are dependent on tourists are places that I want to avoid.

Rocky Mountain National Park was amazing up in the tundra. I could spend all day up there if the roads where not so busy. I don't think I'll go back, but I'm glad to have seen it. Yellowstone has always been very good to me. I've been there a dozen times and look forward to going back. I try to go in late September when the aspens are golden and the kids are back in school.

Was there beginning of July and saw quite a few in town, and by the house we stayed in.

Here is a pronghorn that was just off the road near Walden CO. We counted over 300 pronghorn from Abilene, across New Mexico, up 25 to Pueblo and then again from Walden to Laramie and then back in New Mexico and North Texas again. Probably saw the same ones twice in a few places, but the most fun is just seeing them!!!

Looks like one of the cows in the third picture has a tracking collar on her neck.

Cool pictures