Moose in the Snow

We left Wyoming last Tuesday, which makes me super sad. Our last two days were snowy, and I finally got the chance to photograph moose in the snow. This has been on my photographic bucket list, but we always leave before it even thinks of snowing. This year was very different, with early and plentiful snow.

It was snowing pretty heavy on Monday afternoon, but I hardly noticed. Watching these two bulls had my full attention.

I had to start calling this guy The Impostor. More than once I thought I was watching Washakie, only to realize it was this guy instead. The similarities in the size and shape of their antlers is pretty dang close.

I’ve seen this smaller bull a time or two hanging around. All the bull moose are very much on the move, more than I have ever seen.

At first these guys were just content to hang out, and have a bit of lunch.

Then the antler rattling began. It was really nothing too serious, but they kept at it for a while.

The heavy snow was very hard to photograph in. My camera was never sure what to focus on, snowflakes, moose, trees, more snow flakes. It was by far one of the toughest photo sessions I’ve had.

After a while they decided to go their separate ways.

The Impostor headed across the river.

And the smaller bull went up on the ridge, and headed north.

I was pretty thrilled to have finally got my snowy moose shots. That night it stayed cold, so the next morning was still snowy. The Impostor gave me more shots of moose in the snow before we left later that day.

I’d like to think he was wishing me a fond farewell, and a see you next year grin.

He kept going under the trees and tussling with the branches, resulting in a very snowy moose.

A parting shot before he disappeared into the trees.

I really miss my wildlife, my morning walks, the beauty and the quite. It’s getting harder every year to leave the one place I feel most at home.

I’m also going to post some photos of our last couple of days there, and some of the beautiful scenery we saw.