Anyway.. One of the goals on this trip was to stop at Dean Creek and get some elk shots. The Dean  Creek herd is located about 15 miles East of Reedsport, Oregon on Hwy 38. The viewing area is protected from hunters but if the elk wander off over the hill they are fair game. This is not a bad thing. It keeps the herd healthy. Some days the herd is out near the viewing area where they can be seen and other days they will be back in the trees with none to be seen. The day I was coming home they were out and about. The bulls were holding back quite a way but the cows were in pretty close. This time of the year the older bulls tend to group up away from the cows and younger males.

This young male was in with the other youngsters and cows.  This may be his mother. They were pretty close together. The males were up the road a way and back closer to the tree line. One of these two may be the little guys daddy. They were the largest two I saw and were off to the side of the main group of mature males. The racks are so pretty this time of the year with them covered in velvet.

Hope you enjoy. I know many of you live in places where you don't see these animals. If you ever get the chance they are a site to be seen.