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NATURE NOTES: Moose (Alces alces)
I clearly remember the first time I closely encountered this huge herbivorous hulk when I was prospecting alone on the Mineral Claim by Deer Creek. It was a still hot summer afternoon and suddenly the quiet was broken by the sound of the loud noise of pieces of slate stone being broken and crushed on the mountain above me. It sounded like thousands of pieces of breaking glass. I looked up and there was a huge female moose casually and slowly coming down the 45 degree rock face directly towards me, seemingly oblivious to the noise she was creating. I always try to stay within running distance of the car which at that time was about 100 feet away up on the road above me. The car was between the moose and I, and she was coming down the cliff face about 150 feet above the car. Well, run I did and just made it to the safety of the car when Mama Moose ambled across the road about fifteen feet in front the car and proceeded down to Deer Creek for her afternoon drink of water. My brother told me later that she was his friend and that
he called her "Marilyn" because she was beautiful. MASTER MOOSE FACE TO FACE My second encounter with the giant twig eater was at a much closer and scarier range. It happened early the next spring about mid-day as I was following Deer Creek just about 100 feet south of the Fisher Maiden Lake/Deer Creek foot bridge. Deer Creek is surrounded at this point in shadows by tall spruce, larch, pine and willow trees with much tangled undergrowth. As was necessary, I was proceeding slowly and carefully walking with my head down watching every footstep. I was walking on the very edge of the creek bank, which was to my left, when I rounded a bend and had to grab on to a tree with my right hand to keep from falling in. With my right hand still holding on to the tree I looked up to decide my next step. I found myself looking right into the face of a great big black bull moose, not five feet in front of me, just standing there quietly in the cool dark shadows. My heart pounded and I forced myself to back out in the same slow careful manner in which I had arrived, lest I startle and hence anger Master Moose. Whew! Ever since these close encounters I have been quite fascinated with these creatures and now enjoy creating images of them upon the slate stone they so often trod upon in their home territory.
RECENT CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE MOOSE KIND
First Sighting of 'Marlene' The Moose
I immediately named her "Marlene" because moose are territorial and I like to think she might be the daughter of the same "Marilyn the Moose" of my previous encounter. I slowly got out of the car, crossed the road, and positioned myself in a spot as close to her as I thought was safe, and took the following pictures.
Uncomfortable
Presence
Looking For The Best Spot To Drink
Watching
Each Other
What's
There?
I
Am Out of Here!
Last
Glimpse of Marlene The Moose
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