the elk – traffic jam

One of my favorite things about living in Evergreen, Colorado is the wildlife.  It is always fun to see a mama fox with her kits in my neighborhood or mule dear feeding on grass and sometimes a herd of elk in the middle of town.

This herd of elk were spotted at Highway 74 and Meadow Drive in October of 2014.  There were about 25 female cow elk and two bull elk.   They were taking their time walking across the street.  It is common for the locals to stop and take pictures and enjoy the experience of having herds of elk that roam around Evergreen. This is one of the only things to cause a traffic jam in Evergreen.  Not all mountain towns in Colorado have herds of elk, so this is a unique and exciting experience.

I was parked on the side of the road and this 700 pound bull elk was literally positioned over the top of the hood of my car. I could see his nostrils flaring as he breathed and we stared each other down.  He was not being aggressive, but he was clearly communicating that he was not afraid of me and would take his time.   He soon moseyed across the road and went on his way.  What an exciting experience!

This is a herd of elk gathered together on the side of the road (Highway 74) north towards I-70 that we say in Winter.  Herds of elk are a common experience in Evergreen. I think that adds to the charm of living in Evergreen. The wildlife is abundant and on display for everyone to see and enjoy.

While elk are common here throughout the year the very best time to see them in all of their splendor is in the Fall during rutting season.  This is when the bull elk come out with their large racks.  If you are fortunate you may experience the males fighting over the females. It’s like being in a Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom episode.

If you enjoyed this post then you may also enjoy this post I wrote about a 12 point Royal Bull Elk and his herd of cow elk I encountered at Evergreen Lake one afternoon.