The Final Drop

This elk dropped his final antler of 2016. Each year, bull elk drop their antlers when the new antlers start to grown in the spring and push the old... more

by Roger Bechler

Title

The Final Drop

Artist

Roger Bechler

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

This elk dropped his final antler of 2016. Each year, bull elk drop their antlers when the new antlers start to grown in the spring and push the old antlers off. This bull elk was passing between some cabins up at McGregor Mountain Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado when his final antler of 2016 dropped to the ground. He stood there dazed for a bit after the heavy antler fell to ground and caused him to regain his composure before continuing on. This elk often visits McGregor Mountain Lodge cabins and they call him by the name of Brat.

Update (2017): Brat was a well-known elk in Estes Park and often spent a lot of his time at McGregor Mountain Lodge. We happened to be staying at McGregor Mountain Lodge when Brat lost his final antler. This image was taken on March 14th, 2016. Brat got sick and passed away in March of 2017 before he could drop his antlers. So this image is of Brat's final antler drop. We will cherish this antler and this moment forever RIP Brat!

You can read more about Brat in McGregor Mountain Lodge's blog at:
http://blog.mcgregormountainlodge.com/2017/04/brat.html

Image was taken by Roger Bechler.

Uploaded

May 20th, 2016