When we first moved to the Payson area, we lived in mobile home about two miles South of Star Valley (a small town four miles East of Payson). Now this put us OUT IN THE COUNTRY! we had all kinds of wildlife around. One morning a woodpecker woke us early banging on the metal roof. We had an owl perched near and calling one evening. And one night, in the Fall, I woke up and heard what sounded like a SCREAM. It was down at the end of the valley and I wasn't sure I heard right, but as I lay awake listening it moved closer, and then passed our house.
It scared me half to death at first. I swear, it sounded like a woman screaming. I wondered if I should wake my husband, should we get up and see about it, should we call 911? But the way the sound was moving up the valley, with no other noises, no commotion or sounds of violence, made me think it MUST be an animal.
Turns out it was a bull elk. If you have never heard them, watch the video (make sure you turn your sound on).
Elk are calling all over the Rim Country. We live in town now, but behind us are 5 acre lots and National Forest is near (not uncommon in Payson). One night we heard an elk SO CLOSE that we could hear the intake of breath before he bugled. We couldn't see him, he must have been in the trees, on the 5 acre lot behind us.
If you love Fall, or miss it because you now live in the desert, come and visit Northern Arizona. The nights are just starting to cool, and the leaves will start changing soon.
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Prest Realty is a family owned office in Payson, Arizona. We handle both residential rentals and home sales, and have many years experience in both. Call us to see homes for sale or for rent!
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I have never heard an Elk before...I would probably have been worried too!
I wonder if ESPN radio looked at your blog... they were talking about this yesterday morning.
Chastity- isn't it an amazing sound?
Dione- Now that's my idea of a fun date!
Chuck- actually, I heard the story, and that made me remember hearing the elk when we first moved up here.
Leslie: I had the woodpecker syndrome on my roof when I first moved further out in the suburbs. They love to pick the loudest roof. They sound like a jackhammer. Never encountered the elk, but the mating season of deer are interesting for those unfamiliar. Lots of weird grunting.
LOL thanks for sharing this video clip Leslie - sounds like a human screaming for sure!
I thought Racoon fights I hear at night sometimes ( we have wooded acreage behind our home as well ) were frightening! WOW,I agree I think I would have thought about calling 911 :)
Sincerely,
Grace
That was great - did you make that video? What a strange sound they make - we don't hear anything like that!
Hi Leslie, I bet it took some adjusting to get used to all of the wildlife sounds around you. But, I bet it's beautiful where you are, living so close to nature. Thanks for the post and take care of yourself! Try if you can to sleep tight!
Leslie- I remember camping at the Grand Canyon and hearing the elk. First time I heard them I too was a little leery. I loved your video, but that elk call is too close, and too loud. Wonderful that you actually got video of the bull and it looks like there were some other ones with him also.
Chris- I've never heard the deer- sounds strange
Grace- never heard the racoons, either
Georgina- no, I didn't make the video- it's from you tube.
Sandy- It IS beautiful!
Kathy- I didn't do the video- it is from You Tube, it WAS close, wasn't it?
Hey Leslie! Came over to your blog and saw this! Terrific! I just posted several photos I took of the elk at the Rocky Mnt. Nat'l Park. They're amazing animals, aren't they? You know they are the 2nd largest animals in North America? 2nd only to the moose. I invite you to have a look at "my" elk ;)
http://activerain.com/blogsview/716914/Chasing-Elk-in-Colorado
Debi
Hi Debi. Those are great pictures. Don't you love being able to see wildlife up close?
It is a thrill, isn't it?! Like you, I live where we're lucky to see so much. I've got photos of deer and huge bucks, elk, racoons, fox, and bear - All in my backyard! It's awesome...Growing up in a city (San Diego) didn't provide much of this experience. I love being in the mountains.
Debi