A Tale of Two Moose

Every morning I get up early, get dressed in the dark, take care of the dogs, and head out the door. If we had another camera Al would probably be coming with me, but we don’t…yet…so he stays home and snuggles with the dogs. I head to the river and start walking, looking for moose. Sometimes I have photographer friends that are in the area too, but lately I have been out on my own. This is fine actually, as I love the serenity of the early morning and the sound of the river.

Friday morning was wet, really wet. I have tall rubber boots that keep my feet dry, but from the knee up I get pretty soaked. The bushes are tall, and it’s unavoidable. This morning I had been walking for about a mile when I looked across the river and spotted a nice bull moose. He was headed down river, were I had just come from, and I paralleled him from my side of the river.

It looked like Washakie, and I assumed that was who I was trailing.

He came across the small channel and got a drink.

Then, I realized he wasn’t Washakie, because he was coming up behind him.

Him and 4 cow moose were moving in the direction of this new bull. One of the cow moose actually came over to Mr. New Guy and started doing the “I want to be your girlfriend” talk. This, did not go over well with Washakie.

“I better get rid of this guy, right away.”

Sensing a confrontation, Mr. New Guy left the sexy cow, and started walking away. Not without several backwards glances though.

Washakie kept coming at him, and buy this time they were away from the thick bushes on the edge of the river, and more out in the open.

“I’ll show you, don’t you try to steal my girls.”

“I’ll rake my antlers in these trees to show you I’m the boss around here.”

Mr. New Guy..he’s going to need a better name I think…did stand his ground a few times. I was kinda hoping for a real confrontation.

He headed back up river though, and crossed. I saw him way over on the other side, leaving the area.

Washakie followed him across one channel of the river for good measure.

 

Washakie then walked back down river, to were all the cows had stopped and waited. He made a pee spot, which smells horrendous, but the girls seem to like it.

After they pee, the males will dig around to get the smell all spread around.

“The girls love me, and my stinkyness.”

I got one last shot of him with the snowy mountains in the background before he laid down. We all walked several miles, and I personally was tired and soaked.

He is looking older this year, and is having problems with one eye. I wouldn’t be too surprised if this other bull returns to challenge him. He’s the biggest one next to Washakie that I have seen. But, maybe he figured he was out classed and will find a mate or two someplace else.

I love watching nature unfold before me. Even if I couldn’t get photos, I would enjoy just watching, and experiencing it all. Being here, and being a part of all this is so good for my soul. Not to mention the 5 or 6 miles I walk on a daily basis.