Storm's End - Rocky Mountain Elk

"As an early-season snowstorm ends, a dominant bull and his cows move out of the protection of the dark, coniferous forest into a meadow and start their evening feeding. A bugle from the herd bull reminds the cows and lesser bulls who are in charge. This is the setting for Storm’s End – Rocky Mountain Elk. A pair of gray jays or ‘camp robbers’ sit on nearby young spruce. This tame jay frequents remote cabins and backcountry camps looking for bits of food or small items to carry off while showing little fear of man. Though this bold jay comes readily to a campfire or the sound of wilderness campers, it avoids human settlements. Frequently, on trips far into wilderness areas, I have enjoyed sharing my lunch with gray jays. Though I’ve got this attractive bird to come within six inches of my hand, I have yet to get one to take food directly from it. Another resident of the high country, a red squirrel is active in nearby spruce. Red squirrels feed on fungi, nuts, and seeds including t