A beautiful denizen of the mountains is the elk, known as wapiti to the natives.   Majestic and delicious (yes, I hate myself for liking it, but it’s awfully tasty) elk are a popular artistic image around town.

 

They are the symbol of a social organization as well.

 

They are thick as fleas up north in Rocky Mountain National Park, we have to make do with their statues.

Some are naturalistic, and some are not.

And then there are the ones that are totally fake.