Until Wednesday, March 17th, 2009, the elk had been spotted with a full rack, but since that day his appearances have been without antlers, having shed them as a matter of the natural yearly process.

On the morning of Friday, March 20th, 2009, (the first day of Spring,) around 8am, several hikers reported that the elk decided to come down from the rocky bluffs on the right bank (as one looks downstream) and wade across the river to a sunny patch of grass on the river's left bank.  It is here that I was able to photograph him for the first (and last) time.  The photos and captions below chronicle that morning as seen from the opposite bank of the river.

8:30 am - After crossing the Deschutes, the bull elk finds a clearing to lie down and rest.

As I maneuvered upstream along the right bank, the elk continued resting in the underbrush on the left bank.

 
Apparently aware of my presence across the river, he remained relaxed but alert as the sun dried his wet matted fur.

As the elk lowered his head, the nubs where just days earlier there were antlers became evident, giving him sort of a "Hellboy" appearance.

Continuing to take photos while he lay in the warm grass, I got this profile shot that gives an idea of the elk's sheer size and bulk.  I continued upstream on my morning hike.

9:00am:  Upon my return, the elk continued laying in the grass until something startled him to his feet.

It was this woman and her two dogs.  She thought she would take the path along the river's edge, until she was startled by a large hairy obstacle in her path.  Note the tension on the leashes as she restrains the dogs, who seem to be oblivious to the barrier ahead (or maybe they're more focused on the scent than the sight).  After a short moment of indecision, the hiker turned and backtracked up to the main trail.  (If anyone recognizes the hiker and her dogs, I would appreciate an e-mail so I may relay this information to her.)

As the hiker (now out of the frame) continues backtracking, the elk watches her egress.

Back up on the main trail, the hiker (beyond and out of frame) continues on her way under the watchful eye of the alert elk.

Updates:

 On June 3rd, 2009, Carolyn from Bend wrote:
I was there that morning as you shot your photos.  I watched that guy for months.  He returned to the opposite bank and lolled about for at least another month.  The neighbors up top fed him regularly.  I've since moved from Woodriver Village to SE Bend, and really appreciate this reminder.