Elk (Captive)

This elk photo was taken during a tram tour of Dogwood Canyon Nature Park several years ago. I do have a couple of nits with this one, the grass in front of the elk face, and the background is a little brighter than I would like. It was a really sunny day, I was lucky to catch this elk in the shade. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park stretches across the Missouri-Arkansas border, just south of Branson, MO. Thanks for looking and comments are always welcome.
Canon 10D 75-300 lens 1/180 sec; f/4.5; ISO 400 HH

David, great pose on the elk. I think a little cloning would take out the grass stems and I think that a B+W conversion might make the elk pop more too.

David, it is always fun to capture an elk with a camera. I agree with Darren on both of his points

Darren and Tom, thanks for the suggestions. I thought about cloning the stems out but sure my PS skills would be good enough. Hadn't really thought of the B&W conversion, now I'm curious as to what it would like like, I'll repost it again in the next few days. This is what I like about this forum, the great suggestions, wonderful feedback and encouragement. Thanks!

Nicely done, David! Beautiful elk. In addition to Darren's suggestions, there seems to be a blue-ish cast in the shadows on my monitor. Might try toning down the blue saturation slider a notch or two, or adjust the color balance.