The elk were definately aware that we were standing there, and probably also aware that it's not hunting season :~D
I had to zoom in to the close up shots, but they were truckin' along within a hundred yards or so of the highway.
The third picture of the elk has a farm in the background. Our deer and elk here are very, very shy. You only see them way up in the hills and they take off as soon as they see you.