morganheim_elktown-2162
The Oregon Coast is experiencing rapid growth. Originally, clear-cutting pushed elk to see cities as viable alternative habitats. Oregon experiences the second-highest rate of deforestation of any state in the United States. Now cities are cutting urban green spaces to make room for more housing developments. Warrenton’s population has grown more than 20 percent in the past decade. I came across this scene while running along a trail with my dog only having my phone (and my dog’s patience) as a means to capture the scene. There are many moments like this, where encounters are unpredictable, and the phone is critical to capturing elements of the elk’s story.