A bull elk rears its head on an early fall morning in Grand Teton National Park.
 
During the fall, the Grand Tetons become a dramatic stage for the annual elk rut, where the resonant bugles of bull elk echo through the valleys. The bulls, with their impressive antlers, engage in a display of strength and agility, often locking antlers in powerful combat. This ritual not only determines the hierarchy within the herd but also ensures the strongest genes are passed on to the next generation.  The rut is a defining moment in the lives of the Teton's elk, marking a season of survival, competition, and the majestic beauty of wildlife.