One more attempt to find the illusive Bull Elk of Wind Cave National Park.  We drove over an hour all the while scouring the landscape with binoculars and stopping to listen for his unmistakable bugle.  Nothing.  Darkness was falling and we were heading out of the wilderness and back to camp.

I spotted a form in the shadows just 30 feet or so from Kent’s side of the car.  A tree?  A rock?  No, it is moving.  I could just make out the shape of a large bull elk with an impressive set of antlers moving through the shadows.  No bugle, but with a bit of help from headlights, a great last look at a majestic beast before we move out its range.

Bonus, While searching for the elk we came across a group of wild burros.  An even dozen of the animals that were long ago abandoned when private trail rides were no longer profitable up Harney peak.  They were busy stopping traffic while working the crowd for handouts and attention.