“A Young Bull Elk”
In early December of this year, my wife and I were driving around in Moraine Parkin the Rocky Mountain National Parkafter a light snow the previous night. The snow plows clearing the snow off of the roads also scatter gravel and salt as they go along. The large herd of elk cows and yearling bulls that live in Moraine Parkwere all along the roadways eating the salt. We came upon this three-year-old young bull elk in the road also eating salt.
It was kind of unusual to see a young bull as big as he was still staying with the cows. Normally the mature bulls, after the mating season ends in the fall, stay together in their own herd over the mountain in Horseshoe Park. As we approached, he moved to the side of the road. Back of him was a little rise with some trees in the background. I thought, if he will just go up there on that little rise and pose for me, I bet I can get a good picture of him. As if he had heard my thoughts, he turned and walked up on the rise and struck a pose. He made my day and now you get to see this painting of him.
For about the last twenty five years, Corinne, my wife, and I give each other a Christmas present each year by going to Estes Park, Colorado for a few days early each December. For the first few years, we always stayed at the Holiday Inn in Estes Park. Then one year, they kicked us out on our second night there because they needed our room for a large group that was to be there for a wedding.
So, we looked around and found some nice condos along the banks of the Fall Riverup closer to the park. After staying at several of the condos and motels along the Fall River, we decided that we liked the Aspen Winds condos best, and specifically we liked Unit #6. From its balcony, there is a very good view of the river and the nearby mountains. We have seen mule deer, elk, Bighorn sheep, foxes and coyotes at or near this condo.
In the spring, the willows along the other side of the river are full of migrating birds. Year-before-last, I did a pen and ink drawing of the view from the balcony of Unit #6 and used it to make our Christmas cards that we sent out that year. The owners of the unit #6, bought a print of that drawing, had it framed, and it now hangs on the wall above the breakfast table.
It is kind of neat to see something that I drew hanging on the wall in a condo in Colorado. By-the-way, we have never been back to the Holiday Inn in Estes Parkexcept to eat in the restaurant there.
Cheers,
Acree
P.S. I am now getting more and more emails with your comments and your own stories. It has occurred to me that you would probably like to see each others comments and to see where each of you lives. This painting and story will be posted in the section “Acree’s Blog” on my website, www.wildlifeartbyacree.com. At the end of your comment or story, please leave your name, or at least your first name, and the city or town and state where you live. I can tell from the email addresses that there are now people on the list from the west coast to the east coast and from Texasup to and in Canada.
If anybody wants to know what I look and sound like, a few days ago Edmund, my grandson, put the TV segment made of me last October to promote the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown on my website under the section “In The News.” This segment was produced by ABC and was aired a number of times on Channel 13 here in Houston. At least for a few days, I was kind of a star. I was surprised, though, that I never did have any problems with the paparazzo bothering me. I guess Britney, especially getting out of her car, may be more interesting.
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