Singing in the Rain
by Elizabeth Winter
Title
Singing in the Rain
Artist
Elizabeth Winter
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest species of deer in the world, and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia. It was long believed to be a subspecies of the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), but evidence from a 2004 study of the mitochondrial DNA indicates that the two are distinct species.
This animal should not be confused with the larger moose (Alces alces), to which the name "elk" applies in Eurasia. Apart from the moose, the only other member of the deer family to rival the elk in size is the south Asian sambar (Rusa unicolor).
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves, and bark. Although native to North America and eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have been introduced, including Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand. Their great adaptability may threaten endemic species and ecosystems into which they have been introduced.
Male elk have large antlers which are shed each year. Males also engage in ritualized mating behaviors during the rut, including posturing, antler wrestling (sparring), and bugling, a loud series of vocalizations which establishes dominance over other males and attracts females.
Elk are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to livestock. Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases from elk populations, largely through vaccination, have had mixed success.
Some cultures revere the elk as a spiritual force. In parts of Asia, antlers and their velvet are used in traditional medicines. Elk are hunted as a game species; the meat is leaner and higher in protein than beef or chicken.
The antlers usually are shed between February 15 and April 15, and new growth starts soon after the old scars are healed. Between the time of shedding and the latter part of August or early September, the adult bull grows a new set of antlers weighing as much as 15-20 kg. During this period, W. B. Sheppard found that animals kept in confinement consumed seven times the ration customarily eaten during other times of the year. The normal number of points per antler in old males is six, very often five, and rarely as many as nine.
Uploaded
May 25th, 2013
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Viewed 1,061 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 03/18/2024 at 4:39 PM
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Comments (62)
Larry Kniskern
Congratulations, Elizabeth – your stunning scene has been selected as an Honorable Mention from the Go Take a Hike Photography Group’s Falling Rain photo contest! It has been placed in the Special Recognition thread in the group discussion board for archive.
Doug Kreuger
Elizabeth, I really enjoy your Wildlife Animals Gallery,! Excellent Capture, He looks so happy and content in this tall grass! L&F
Joel E Blyler
Great capture! What a candid shot and I love the title! Excellent work, Elizabeth! L/F