The Virginian elk -- in the coalfields

For about two years now, I've been covering the reintroduction of elk into Virginia. It's been an interesting process -- last spring, we went to War Fork, in Buchanan County, to see the elk released into the wild.

It was a foggy morning, around 7 a.m., and to see those majestic creatures slowly, and then more confidently, come out of their holding corral into the thousands of acres set aside for them was awe-inspiring.

Here's an update written over the weekend.

The elk are about to enter the rut, or the mating season. Those lucky enough to be in the area of the county in the next few weeks might hear bugling or see the results of the elk's sparring as they fight for mates.

Thanks to Leon Boyd, of the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, for the photo. He regularly checks on the elk, and has trail cams set up around the area they were released in -- he's gotten some great photos!