Here is a photo of Tule Elk taken with a telephoto (which I forgot to bring, on my trip by the elk) by reader Seth Melchert of Oakland. It was taken in the Isabella Valley area on the east slopes of Mt. Hamilton in 2006. It provides a better view than mine.
Here is one showing their distinctive rump colors, also by Seth:
I saw a bull with two cows in my canyon in 1973 and scared them into Prewitt where they could be safe, The bull had a huge rack.
Must have been a split off, start-up group from the larger herd to the south. Based on what I saw the other day, I imagine the challenging or losing bull had to leave, and if he was lucky, he might have gotten a couple cows to run off with him, starting a new herd.