In a few weeks time it will be the season of rut and the bull elk will be chasing and rounding up their harems and/or clashing with each other for dominance. Also, they will be shedding their antler's velvet. So I thought I'd take a chance and drive out to the elk refuge and check them out for some shots of velvet antlered elk.
What may turn out to be a very fine, warm day in Santa Rosa can be otherwise at Pt. Reyes' Tomales Point as this area is often very foggy from the marine air. My guess of an offshore wind for some good lighting proved wrong and the point was indeed fogged up. After two miles of hiking, I decided that it was not worth it hiking another mile to where the males normally congregate so I returned to the entrance (fenced) area of the refuge. Lo and behold! the sky opened up there must have been at least three dozens elk browsing the golden grass.
Young males and does tend to stay together. Older bulls keep to themselves until the rut. Here are some shots taken from the car window. As you can see they appear to be pretty well fed.
3,5 and 6 are my picks. The first two seem a bit too tight. Sometimes you get lucky and the sun breaks through, other times you wait and freeze for nothing!
A fine set, Da.
They are beautiful animals for sure, and you've captured that.
I especially like the second image. Too bad about clipping the tips of the antlers, though.
Charlie
Sometimes you get lucky and the sun breaks through, other times you wait and freeze for nothing! 
Great sharpness and detail Dennis. The last one stands out for me ~ Ron