Roosevelt Elk herd on Gold Bluffs Beach (Pacific Ocean), Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwoods National Park, California
I have to say this was probably one of the stranger things I have ever seen. There are a few areas of Redwoods National Park that are typical grassy meadow habitat, typical elk habitat. The park has a resident herd of Roosevelt Elk that inhabit a few of these meadows. We never did see them in these places. Instead, on the way to another spot along the coast, we had two elk cross the road in front of us. They were going across to join the rest of the herd of 25 on the beach! There were quite a few people around, everyone kept their distance and gave the elk plenty of space to go where they wanted.
Most of the time, they just seemed to be lounging around, eating beach grass, and taking in some rays. I imagined a game of Elk Frisbee was about to start up any minute. That was until…. the Dachshunds showed up. I noticed many of the Northern California beaches are dog friendly, and many people take advantage of that. It just seemed odd these 500-1000 lb animals would be so spooked by a couple of little hot dogs. Perhaps it was just a genuine curiosity. Well, this group in the herd took a definite notice of the dogs being nearby and started marching towards them.
The dogs were also heading right towards me as I knelt in the sand snapping some shots. Now I love dogs, but I draw the line at being trampled just to scratch the little guy’s chin. Fortunately the owners noticed this also and decided it was best they left the beach. Once the dogs left, the elk dispersed again and just started walking leisurely down the beach. Hot dog threat deterred. Situation back to normal. As normal as elk walking down the beach can be…
Odd encounter indeed.
So many great shots on your site. This is my first visit but I will definitely return.
Amazing capture! Maybe they are on vacation???
Ha! Yes, never get between an Elk and their sunbathing. 😉 Thanks for the comment Adam.
Greg, Pat – thanks.
Pat – sometimes we just get lucky – plain and simple as that. 🙂 Ridiculous is a good way of describing how this looks! It is very odd.
This is so awesome, Mark! And I’ve got to admit that I’m quite jealous! On our visit there last year, we had read that you can occasionally see elk on the beach, and we tried a couple of times with no luck. I’m glad you did though, since now I can see how cool (and slightly ridiculous) of a sight it is.
Mark, this is California…where ele would you find elk than on the beach? I mean, our cows are happy, so why wouldn’t our elk be sunburned? 😉
The dog encounter reminds me of the time I ran into a herd of domesticated Dachshunds (followed by their semi-domesticated owners) on the beach in Carmel…but that’s a story for another time.
Mark, an unusual but wonderful shot. I believe you may owe those little dogs a thank-you for getting this group/herd of elk alert and facing your direction. Perhaps we photographers should pack a small dog along with our other equipment in our bags — similar to using toys or props to photograph small children. 🙂
good idea Earl!
C’mon, Mark! Anything for the photo, man! Anything! 🙂 Those Elk probably have memories of getting Dachshunds stuck between their hooves and remembering how irritating that can be without the ability to remove them. Kind of like having a splinter stuck under your toenail. Ouch! 🙂
🙂
Great story and great shot too! It must have been amazing being there. I can’t imagine anything like this on Bonaire beaches! 🙂
Just some donkeys perhaps?
yeah, correct!!! LOL
Elk and dachshunds!! On the beach of all places. That’s gotta be one of the strangest wildlife encounters I’ve ever heard of. What a tale…
Thanks for the comments everyone. I am certainly glad someone didn’t chime in and say they see this everyday! 🙂
Living along the Rocky Mountain region I see most of my elk in the higher elevations, I have seen them along the eastern plains and know they do venture to these lower elevations. However, I never knew elk would enter onto a beach. They would not be able to drink the water but only graze off the vegetation. Goes to show how narrow a vision many of us have of this world. How come we don’t have an image of the hotdogs on the beach as well?
Thats a good question Monte. Probably because I didn’t find see dogs on a beach that unusual. Would have been an interesting wide angle with them in the foreground.
Imagine this. I just stopped working on a post about my recent elk adventure and came up to see what was happening in the blogging world around me. What do I see but a story far better than mine and a photograph infinitely superior to mine. None of this spoils my enjoyment of your splendid story nor diminishes my admiration for the picture to go with it. The notion of those little hot dogs going after the elk is a wild picture to hold in my head.
Great story…..and it’s an odd sight to see elk on a beach. They seem so out of place. It’s a great shot!
I guess the beach would be the last place I’d be looking for elk, but they photograph very well in the setting. Great shot.
Excellent story Mark 🙂 I’m glad I wasn’t there I’d have been quiet scared as unleashed dogs put me on edge anyway, even the little ones have big teeth. The Elk are beautiful though 🙂
Hey Mark
Very cool story, and the shot sets it off wonderfully. What a crazy experience that musta been.
Cheers
Carl