Want to hang out with us on our porch and watch and listen to the elk cows and calves moving through?
Jenny was laying in bed this morning thinking “the elk haven’t come through with their babies yet, I hope they’ll still come!” Literally moments later, she heard the first “mew” elk call, grabbed the camera, and gently and quietly eased onto the porch to watch.
The elk usually come through our yard with their calves in June. We’ve been seeing the cows all month, and maneuvering around them on our walks so as not to get charged by protective mothers, but had not yet seen them in the yard.
One of the things people don’t realize when they move or visit here is how important it is to pay attention to the needs of the animals who share our home- we strive to change our behavior to give them space and room to thrive. Training our dog not to chase wild animals and keeping him under control at all times. Changing our routes and actions to avoid calving or nesting or other sensitive times. Moving slowly and gently around the animals we encounter. Forcing wild animals into human constraints doesn’t work; if we truly value the wild animals that we observe and most value about Greater Yellowstone, then it’s worth a little extra effort to be kind and respectful to our wild neighbors.
How do you change your behavior around the animals near your home? Drop us a message in the box at the bottom right!
Interested in reading more about living with wildlife in Greater Yellowstone? Check out Grizzly Bears in the Neighborhood.
Have you grabbed the free Yellowstone wildlife-watching guide? Get our insider’s Yellowstone wildlife-watching tips here: https://www.ayellowstonelife.com/wildlife-watching-guide/
Did you know wild animals communicate with each other in many ways humans can observe and interpret? Want to learn how? If so, you might enjoy our free master class Secrets of Animal Language: How & Why To Tune In To Wild Conversations. You can register here: https://www.ayellowstonelife.com/animal-language-webinar/
We're on a mission to inspire others to live an intentional, inspired lifestyle that's deeply connected to nature, place, and the more-than-human world. Want to help support our work? Learn more and donate here: https://ayellowstonelife.thrivecart.com/support-our-work/
Video © Jenny Golding
