Any excuse to get out in the mountains
by Pat Cassidy
(Pilot Rock, Oregon)
Checking me out
It is that time of year to get out in Elk country and see where they are. Sure, they may not be in the same place come hunting season but it's a good excuse to get out.
Wild mushrooms are out (Morels) and while searching for them I heard a racket of squeals, whistles and bugles coming from across a draw. I always carry a camera with me, so I hurried over to the edge and hunkered down next to a big Ponderosa.
Talk about luck!! The herd walked up the hill and fed past me at 50 to 75 feet. They are very alert animals so I stayed as still as I could. Several animals noticed me but after a couple seconds of scrutiny would go back to feeding. It took almost 15 minutes for them to work their way past me and they never spooked. So much for camo gear (blue jeans and a brown shirt).
I was able to get about 40 good pictures.
There were about 10 bulls in the bunch; all spikes (YUM), and a lot of calves.
Any old excuse to get up in the mountains. (And we did get a mess of Morels)
