Babs Young has been wandering about on M-88. She sent this note: These elk seem to love this weather. I think their antlers grow better in the cold. However you are going to have to check Torch Lake Views for who these elk belong to because I can’t remember and can’t find it on the net. I know Gerry will know.
As it happens, Babs is right. The elk belong to the Conants. I was wandering past there myself earlier this week, looking for a nice tall livestock fence to photograph for the Fence Post. The elk did not appear for that photo opportunity (they were probably holding out for Babs, I would). I thought the scene looked sort of bare without them, but now you can have both the instructive fence illustration and the livestock. Waste not want not.
Every week photographer Babs Young captures moments in northern Michigan, and every week she sends one to Torch Lake Views just for you. You can find more of her photos at the Babs Young Photo Archives and on her Blue Heaven Flickr photostream.
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
January 11, 2010
Looks like those elk posed just for her, hey? 🙂
Cindy Lou
January 11, 2010
Back again, Gerry…..finally looked up where you are on a map….boy, was I off! For some reason, had it in my head that you were on the east side of the state….. good to know now where you and your loved ones abide! :}
Gerry
January 11, 2010
My loved ones abide all over the place, except for Miss Sadie, the Cowboy, and Miss Puss, who abide with me. We are on the east side of the Bay, which is probably what confuses people. That’s only one of the things that confuses me. I digress.
Babs Young
January 11, 2010
Through the magic of Photoshop I was able to remove that pesky fence to give the illusion that these elk gathered just for my photograph. Ah, well you have blown my cover. That’s okay I believe in transparency.
Gerry
January 11, 2010
I had a vision of you pressed to the fence, lens poking through, holding out elk treats in one hand.
I would like to say that I used Photoshop to remove the elk from my snapshot, the better to show the fence itself . . . but the elk removed themselves, leaving me a clear field.
Scott Thomas Photography
January 11, 2010
I take it then these are domestic elk? I once had elk meat and found it very succulent.
The elk I found in North Dakota did not have any antlers this time of year. Must have already shed them. I like how Babs captured most of them looking at her. 🙂
Gerry
January 11, 2010
Well, yes, domestic in the sense that they are ranch-raised and sold for meat. However, the Conants are at pains to remind people that the elk are wild animals. Big wild animals.
In spite of that, I harbor deep suspicions that the elk were looking at Babs in that very alert way because she was holding treats. But perhaps I project.
Babs Young
January 11, 2010
Since I must tell all. I was poking my camera through the fence near the road and they were very aware that I was there. That was to avoid more Photoshop work with the fence. Since I was the only human in the area they were very aware of me and did begin to stand up. I didn’t stay long so they could continue their naps.
Gerry
January 11, 2010
Rascal. No treats, though, eh?
Carmen Conant Hartwig
January 15, 2010
Hi everyone- Just seeing the photos and reading comments on my parents’ elk. FYI…..the elk grown new antlers from about the end of March until sometime in August. In late summer (August) they lose the velvet which is the blood supply to the antler. Once the velvet dries and falls off the antlers no longer grow. Elk, unlike deer, do not lose their antlers in the winter. They only shed their antlers when the new growth begins and pushes the old ones off. The reason they look bigger in the winter is because of the white background that you see them against. Our biggest bull this year is 7 points on one side and 10 on the other.
Let me know if anyone has questions; I’m always glad to share what we know or have learned.
Gerry
January 17, 2010
Hi, Carmen! Thanks for the comment. I always learn a lot from readers. Must look for that bull. He must be quite a specimen.