Merry Christmas, everyone. I had such a good response to my last post with elk pictures, I decided to share the treat I relished on this foggy Christmas Eve Day morning, when my elk friends returned. They came back to the pond and then moseyed up, almost to my front deck. These photos are all taken out my front windows–with a special focus on the big dad. He looked around, as you can see, but didn’t seem too concerned, finally hopped over the fence and enjoyed a moment beneath the spreading oaks. Wishing you all the best in this holiday season and the coming new year!! 🙂
Now, without more comment, the elk:
Janet fisher 
Elk truly are magnificent animals with those long necks and all. They are large animals and can do a lot of damage if they should take a notion to. As a child I do not recall ever seeing any elk. I do not remember what year the Fish & Wildlife Department began planting elk in certain areas, but now elk are common throughout the entire coast range. God’s creation is so awesome.
Another thing which impressed me a lot when I worked for your dad years ago were the large California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggii) on your farm; Indeed there is a lot of California Black oak throughout the Kellog area. Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryanna ) is the only oak species on the Weatherly Century Farm where I grew up.
Wishing you a blessed and bountiful New Year 2016, Howie W.
Thank you for writing, Howie. I didn’t see elk as a child here either, so they are a wonder to me. And yes, I love the oak savannah too. We live in a beautiful area with many marvelous critters.