JACKSON, Wyo. — Rut season is well underway for ungulates in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Buckrail photographer Nick Sulzer spotted this elk herd grazing amongst fall foliage in the valley last week.
Surrounded by a harem of female and adolescent elk, the bull crouched into what appeared to be bugling position multiple times.
During mating season, male elk bugle to demonstrate their fitness to females.
“Each bull’s bugle is different and acts as a calling card to females, letting them know that a strong mate is in the area,” Yellowstone National Park recently posted to social media. “Their bugles can carry for miles and serve a dual purpose of warning other bulls to stay away from the area.”
