Masculine Male

I was travelling through Elk Island National Park in March with family. We were on our way home from a day out doing landscape and wildlife photography. We decided to visit the park on our way home for the drive, scenery, and wildlife. As we were driving, we came across Beavers, Coyotes, Moose, Deer, owls, crows, and bison. We did not expect to come across one of the herds of Elk. Having visited the park number of times before seeing the Elk has been rare for me. Every time i saw the Elk, they were way off in the distance in a field or in a.spot where even hiking to get into position for a photo was impossible. This time, we spotted a cow elk just inside the trees. We knew we wouldn't get a.photo so we observed for awhile. We then continued on around the corner and we did not expect to come face to face with the rest of the herd. In the middle of the herd was this gorgeous Bull Elk with a nice rack of antlers. He seemed to be the alpha of the herd as he kept guard over the females. There was a young Bull that was helping protect the females by guiding them into the trees as this Alpha kept eye contact with me. He did not move until the last female headed for the trees. I know he was just doing his job protecting the herd but I couldn't help think he was posing just a little. This is the first time I ever got a good Elk Photo in my wildlife photography adventures.