On the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park lies the fairly remote Cataloochee Valley.
Its reintroduced elk herd can be seen up close most mornings and evenings along Cove Creek Road in the middle of the valley. From mid September to around mid October is rutting season and for a few weeks ahead of time (starting soon), the bulls start ‘practicing’ - bugling and strutting their stuff.
It’s magic to see.
I took this picture one evening in early September I believe.
Our next chapter had better include these places and creatures, and evenings that leave you speechless.