12/26/2022
Not even a nice winter coat was enough to knock off the frigid temps in the Great Smoky Mountains this morning. It felt like the North Pole had made its visit and this young elk was taking it in stride.
We were up early to get into the park before sunrise. I was very surprised to find the elk bedded down in the open pastures, frost covering the ground, and their coats. As night turned to day the elk rose, stretching and grazing, giving us curious looks. I too wondered why I was outside in this frozen landscape so early.
