Today's post wraps up and exciting Elk Week. Shooting these images was one the highlights of my 'photographic life'. As I said before to be there was more than thrilling but to walk away with great images as well was much more than I could ever have asked for.

After about 20 minutes the battle ended as fast as it began. The scruffy looking elk had had enough. Bleeding and injured seriously he decided to retreat. He headed up the embankment, through the meadow and into the woods heading south toward Madison.

But to everyone's surprise he made one last move coming back up the meadow toward the victorious bull. But this time a fast moving bluff charge by the dominant bull was all it took to cause and about face and hasty retreat to the woods.

I don't know what ever happened to the scruffy bull as I never saw him again. Some friends of mine staying in the Madison campground reported seeing a bull matching his description in very rough shape moving through the area.

I know it is a fact of life but it is kinda sad to see what was once a mighty dominant bull reduced to a seriously injured loner with such an unpredictable winter fast approaching.

The dominant bull remained in the same are for the remainder of the rut and appears to have successfully held on to his harem as well. I saw him along the river at the same spot a little over a week later grazing with his cows, living the good life.