A couple weeks ago a moose was wandering around the park munching on new buds on the low trees. These animals are huge! The one that’s hanging around this year looks like a two year old that was hanging around with it’s mom last year. Every year someone up here in Fairbanks gets attacked by a mother moose protecting her calf. And running doesn’t always help…they get mad and chase people all over, even attacking buildings to get inside or vehicles. But the vast majority of attacks end with the mom moose losing interest and wandering off as if nothing happened. While the intended victim of a brutal stomping needs to change their underwear.
Because of that, I don’t rush out with my camera and try to get up close because they’re too unpredictable. Better to hang at the building for some protection while I use my telephoto.
First shot without telephoto...you can see the moose standing there in the road in the center of the picture.
This was on April 13th and we still had lots of snow and ice left. Still freezing at night but the days were relatively warm.
Now the telephoto shot. He/she turned when I whistled.
On April 28th, it came back and was munching on a tree just 25 feet away.
Then it started wandering since it had noticed me.
Heading off to look for tasty treats. That pond is around 6" deep and is melted ice from the ice maze.
I gave a whistle and it turned to see what was up.
Settled in to munch on another tree. The vehicle on the left is part of the Ice Train that runs during the event.
More munching.
Sup?
Guess the tree shoots weren't good enough.
Heading towards my RV. Wonder to myself if moose might take a likeing to the plastic bumper or something.
Pauses to wonder what I am.
Wanders over to my RV and munches on the trees just to the right.
This guy/gal is probably here every day, but it’s a big park and I don’t always notice it.
In other news, the Ice Alaska board made an offer to the Alaska Railroad to buy the land so they can keep the ice carving event here at this location. So far it’s still up in the air whether or not I can stay here past June 30th. I don’t look forward to having to travel south in the summer, but that might be what happens. And I’d like the fuel prices to drop a little too.
I should know enough to firm up my plans by mid-May or so.
Moooooooooose!