Elon Musk's Brainstem
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As late I rambled in the happy fields,
What time the skylark shakes the tremulous dew
From his lush clover covert; when anew
Adventurous knights take up their dinted shields:
I saw the sweetest flower wild nature yields,
A fresh-blown musk-rose, 'twas the first that threw
Its sweets upon the summer: graceful it grew
As in the wand that Queen Titania wields.
And as I feasted on its fragrancy,
I thought the garden-rose it far excelled:
But when, O Wells! thy roses came to me
My sense with their deliciousness was spelled:
Soft voices had they, that with tender plea
Whispered of peace, and truth, and friendliness unquelled.
Musk Thistle (also known as Nodding Plumeless Thistle) is a striking flower. There is only one flower per stem, which is somewhat unique among thistles, and they have no ray flowers, which is unique among composite flowers.
Unfortunately Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans, Carduus macrocephalus) is deemed an invasive alien species in Colorado.
This was the leader of the Musk Oxen herd. There was an old bull that was following the herd about 300 yards behind. I watched as this bull fight off a couple smaller bulls that showed interest in a cow that was nearing season. Wherever this bull wandered, the herd would slowly go his direction.
In this photo, it looks like he is taking an aggresive stance, but he wasn't. He was simply walking up a small incline in my direction.
When I see Musk Oxen, I immediately think I am looking at a living dinosaur. Their look is prehistoric, like they have been alive since the world was formed. They look aggressive, however, if left alone, they are very passive.
When I first spotted this herd, they were about a half-mile away. Walked a bit towards them, then settled down on a small hill and waited. Sure enough, in time, they walked very near to where I was seated. Not once did either myself nor the Musk Oxen feel any threat from each another.
I was talking to another photographer one day about Musk Oxen, and he shared a story with me. His father was amazed by Musk Oxen and had never seen one. He brought his Dad up to Alaska to see a herd of Musk Oxen first hand. While talking to an expert on the Musk Oxen, he found out they were in the sheep family. The father was disgusted that they were mere "sheep" and lost all interest in them. I guess we all have different outlooks on wildlife.
A small flower in the Erba Park gardens. Tentative identity (one of several similar little flowers): PlantNet.org. Shot with a 10mm Meike AF extension tube. [FUJX7496_lr_2000]
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Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This was from early January 2023 when I first encountered a flock of these birds. They are certainly very chatty!
Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park
That's all I could get out in the pouring rain, without an umbrella and without a tripod. Apart from that, of course, the excitement was great to stand relatively close to these wild animals. The strains through wind and rain were definitely worth it.
It's the time of year that Musk Oxen mate. In this photo, a bull is tasting the air to see if the cow is in estrus. He attempted to mount her a few times but she would have none of it. After a few failed attempts, the bull threw a temper tantrum and began running around on the tundra at a full gallop.