Breath of Autumn (maquette)

Autumn….that time of year when the air changes. For me, it’s palpable…something instantly recognized in both the air I breath and feel, not only on my skin, but in my soul! The warm summer breezes, that had been so soothing, now carry a whisper of an attention getting bite. There is a cleanness to it, an awakening, the last bit of aliveness carried in the wind’s breath before winter’s sleep arrives. For elk, this “Breath of Autumn” carries a bit more importance, for it’s the time of year that mating occurs to ensure the continuation of the species.

It is during the fall that nature’s guiding hand becomes obvious, as the breeding time of elk is seasonally controlled by environmental cues (length of day and food availability). While small animals (i.e. rodents) reproduce in spring or summer, large mammals (i.e. deer, elk, moose) time their mating for the fall to ensure births coincide with optimal spring conditions.

One of the mating rituals of elk is for the males to bugle. Bull elk bugle primarily during the mating season to attract potential mates, establish dominance and warn rival males to stay away. This loud, high-pitched call allows them to broadcast their size and strength to elk cows and competitors across vast distances.