“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” For Mike and me, this centuries-old proverb hits the nail on the head (to use another well-worn proverb).

In our road trips and outdoor adventures, we always keep an eagle-eye out for wildlife. Take a gander at these fellows. (All photos and elk-sparring video by Patrice Rhoades-Baum.)

 

Mike and I got to witness a surprisingly close-up look at two bull elk sparring during rutting season in Rocky Mountain National Park. Listen closely to hear their strange bugling while they spar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From top-left:

• Mule deer with fawn (take a look at those ears!), Manitou Springs, Colorado
• Moose, Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado
• Tarantula, near Beulah, Colorado
• Wild turkey, near Catamount Open Space, Pikes Peak Region, Colorado
• Frog in Lake Pueblo, Colorado
• Mountain big horn sheep, Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado
• Sorry to say, I missed a shot of the pheasant crossing the road in Sioux Falls, South Dakota!

 

OTHER “WILD LIFE”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From top-left:

• Jake, after he got skunked and bathed — he’s not wildlife, but he smelled like it!
• Here’s Jake the Hiking Dog in his natural element, pretending to be a big red fox.
• This Longhorn charged us! It felt like being charged by a wild animal. So glad there was a fence between us!
• Some people might consider the USAF Thunderbirds to be wildlife.  : )  They flew directly over our house in preparation for the halftime show during a US Air Force Academy football game.