Elk Licking Newborn Calf

by Barbara McMahon

Title

Elk Licking Newborn Calf

Artist

Barbara McMahon

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

There are times when a photographer knows that they should click that shutter but occasionally something as beautiful as the birth of an elk calf is so moving that all one can do is watch in awe. I did not photograph the birth. Immediately after this calf was born I watched as the mother continuously licked her offspring. After about 20 minutes the calf began his first attempts to stand. The calf toppled over and over and then would rest as the mother resumed cleaning him. Finally, I saw him stand on all fours for about three seconds. And so, the cycle of life continues.
Elk are ungulates, which means they have hooves. The Latin name for elk is Cervus elaphus (literally translates as "deer deer".) They are also called "wapiti" - Shawnee for "white rump." A male elk is correctly called a stag and a female is called a hind. Most locals refer to them as bulls and cows.
Elk are light brown with dark faces, necks and legs. They have a distinguishing creamy-coloured rump patch with stubby tail. A bull elk at his prime is awesome to see. His wide branching antlers may grow to 1.2m (4') in width and length, and weigh up to 22 kg (48 lb.) He himself may weigh up to 180 - 450 kg (400 - 1000 lb.) Females weigh one third less than bulls and lack antlers.
Bulls grow a new set of antlers each spring and then cast them the following winter. From mid-May to early July, cow elk go off into secluded woodlands to have their single young (twins are uncommon.) For the first three weeks of an elk's life it is defenseless to predators, so its mother keeps it well hidden in thickets. She licks her calf all over to make sure it is perfectly clean and clear of any smells that may attract predators. With its lack of smell and spotted coat, the calf is carefully camouflaged in the tall grass. During this time, the mother elk visits the calf only a few times a day, standing guard not far away. She is always at the ready to strike out with her sharp hooves if her calf is threatened or to act as a decoy to lead the predator away from the calf. Once the calf has gained its running legs, it re-joins the herd with its mother.

Uploaded

October 19th, 2013

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