Eleven elk, a bunch of Fish, and a Black Ringneck

Took the grandkids to Estes Park for the holiday weekend.

On Friday evening, at dusk, eleven elk were frisking around in the wetland, it was hilarious to watch.

There's some open space behind the house and this time of year, there's constant snowmelt weaving a channel down the center. The elk meandered in, taking their time. Then something caused them to start frisking around, jumping, kicking and running. They didn't run to leave, they just ran around frolicking like a bunch of 800lb. lambs.

I think they were enjoying getting their feet wet. They started running around with their necks straight, holding thier noses above their eyes. It was really funny to see. One would bounce stiff-legged into the air, then kick and run one direction up to another elk and this one might take off in a different path, also in the strange stiff neck, elevated nose behavior. At one point, it seemed like they were all doing it, but two more were uphill and still approaching and not behaving like the rest. Too funny!

Marie said they were boys and were enjoying running around, not missing their horns. I think they just enjoyed the soft wet ground and were celebrating return of spring and water laden grass. Where's the camera when you need it!

Oh well, back to the story.

The following morning Sable wanted to go fishing in the pound. She was dressed and out the door, fishing pole in hand before Eli and I knew what was up. I got word from Eli that the fish were biting and Sable was catching trout. I found the camera, grabbed another pole out of the garage and headed down to watch, reporting to Grandpa duty a little behind muster.

By the time I got there, she had put two back, things slowed down and she had moved to another spot. She caught a small splake as I was walking up on them.

Without any prompting, Eli got his pole back in the water

Then spotted some crayfish claws a mink or raccoon left behind.

Meanwhile, Sable was nailing them in short order.

A perch

A Brook Trout (notice her wearing my hunting boots!)

And a Brown Trout

Her hands got cold and she took off, leaving me and Eli watching the duck.

A lone Black Ringneck Duck drake waiting for company

Eli came over to see why Sable left.

I gave him the camera to take back to the house and he snapped a couple pictures of some deer grazing their way up through the houses.

A good time had by all and not a bad outcome at all for gramps; I didn't even have to get my hands or feet wet!

Didn't bring the cane poles though :-( too much other stuff in the car this trip.