Went out to Boxley Valley this weekend to see if any elk were out.  Saw over one hundred scattered across the valley, mostly grouped into 6+ herds.  Several bulls were very territorial, with bugling and scraping going on everywhere.  Also saw some minimal courtship activity.  Unfortunately, the sky was overcast just before sunset, so there was very little light for photos.  Here are 4 (out of nearly 300) that actually came out all right.

This bull was the center of attention and was the most common bugler.  He also chased several females around....

Here, he's displaying the classic Flehmen's response, which males use to draw female pheromones across their vomeronasal organ.  Obviously, the cows were not impressed....

A bit later, he returned to bugling at another male on the opposite side of the fence in the background.

Throughout the ordeal, this female kept a close eye on a smaller individual (not pictured)- maybe this year's calf?

They're out in numbers right now!

Van