LAST BLAST OF VACATION--CALL OF THE WILD

Our final evening in Colorado was spent at a Rocky Mt. National Park meadow attending a nature watch/lecture titled "The Power of Love" (including musical accompaniment by Huey Lewis and the News), or "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Elk Mating Habits but Were Afraid to Ask."  The lecture part was given by Ranger Mike and the "watch" part was presented by a harem herd of elk cows and three elk bulls who were eager to please when/if called upon.

Here are five fun facts about elk mating habits that you MUST know:

1.  Elk cows select their mates based upon the size of the bull's horn rack (yes, girls, size DOES matter), his color (the darker the better), and the sound of his bugling (loudest and deepest is best).

2.  If a female sees a male that is bigger and darker than her current beau, she'll ditch the smaller, lighter one in a flash and go after the big boy. (We got to see this happen in the meadow--and the "ditchee" was none too happy.)

3.  Males put so much energy trying to get their rack larger for the cows that they lose 10% of the calcium from their rib cage.

4.  A bull usually becomes sexually active by age two, but he may not actually be chosen as a mate until he's older. The females are the choosers in elk mating.  They must give their consent (not in writing, at least I don't think so) before the male is allowed to hook up with her, both literally and figuratively.

5.  Females live MUCH longer than males. In fact, it's rare for a male to live over age 10. This is because they just get so stressed out trying to be the king stud.

And there you have it. We hiked a lot and learned a lot and saw a lot of water.  What a GREAT VACATION!