23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
The Bull Elk keeping track of his harem

The Bull Elk usually bugles from inside the forest, then the Alpha Cow will enter the fields leading the rest of the herd. The Bull follows last to make sure that all of his Cows are headed in the right direction and not straying off to a rival Bull.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Benezette, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Camera: OM-1MarkII
Copyright: © Mark Himmelstein