Wink, Wink, and Ride for Your Life

Words and photos by James Joiner. 1100 pounds of fur and muscle latched onto another elk from behind, hooves digging in. Powerful, primal thrusts drove the pair closer and closer. Locking me in fierce eye contact, the top one licked its mate’s shoulder blades, wide pink tongue rhythmically drawing scratchy wet sweeping sounds against coarse →