Book excerpt: A majestic symbol of the great outdoors, elk are widely admired nationwide. They inhabit some of the most rugged and beautiful areas of North America, lending spectacular backdrops to the award-winning photography that illustrates this volume. Like no other book before, Elk offers a complete introduction to the world of the North American elk. From habits to habitats, Erwin Bauer provides extensive coverage including the elk's ancestors and evolution, range, diet, behavior and instincts, physical characteristics, predators, and conservation issues. The Bauers capture elk in every season and in many environments from Yellowstone National Park to the Canadian wilderness. They chronicle the creation of such organizations as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the National Elk Refuge, and present readers with more than 100 gorgeous color photos, historical black-and-white images, and a range map. Elk is the source for complete details on this regal wild creature.