Moose

After we ate dinner following our day at Wolverine Creek watching bears, two of us joined the photography leaders for an evening search for birds and moose.

Our first stop was a coastal area that usually hosts a variety of birds. As soon as we arrived, we were repeatedly dive-bombed by a short-billed gull. Dan suspected it had a nest nearby, and after watching its behavior for a few minutes, we realized he was right. Nesting gulls are fiercely protective of their eggs and chicks, and this one wanted us to keep our distance. Despite our best efforts, the nest was hidden so well in the grasses that getting a photograph was impossible.

As we continued on, we came upon a small group of moose. The dense vegetation made photography challenging, but I still came away with images I enjoyed. What struck me most was watching them feed. Their large, flexible upper lips work almost like fingers, skillfully grasping and stripping leaves from shrubs. I also found myself captivated by their beautiful eyes, which seemed surprisingly gentle for such massive animals.

Sometimes the best wildlife experiences aren’t about dramatic action. Sometimes it’s simply a privilege to watch moose being moose.