on the riverbank is still green, and they can browse the nutritious shoots of young willow trees.

 

The males are now upping their game. This bull urinates on himself to increase his masculine appeal. And by thrashing his antlers to decorate them, he hopes to make himself / look more impressive.

 

The females are paying a little more attention now. 

 

The bull has succeeded in gathering a fair-sized hareem. But the females are still not quite ready to mate. They are now focused on feeding as much as they can before moving lower still.

But the elk are being watched. Over the summer wolves have been less mobile because of their young pups, but their strength is building again.

 

The elk get twitchy and head for the cover of trees.