This is one of those posts that really needed a camera. Needless to say I didn't have the camera so I'll have to do a description.
On my bike ride last night, I noticed some people looking in through a chain link fence. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to stop and see what they were looking at.
To my surprise there was a cow moose and two calves. All three were about 15 m (50 ft) from the fence. Here moose browse which means that they graze on the tips of brush and trees. These three went about their business very calmly and did not worry about their audience. They kept moving from shrub to shrub. the calves were on adult food too.
All of a sudden the cow grabbed a young poplar about 4 m (13 ft) high and pulled it down to get to the leaves on top. Every time she let go of the tree to get a couple of bites the tree went back up. I could see that it was only a matter of time before the tree would break. Sure enough it broke and the little guys joined in a very tasty feast. I had never seen a moose take down a tree or heard about a moose taking down a tree to get at the tender new shoots.
In many areas we see moose in ponds or rivers and they have their heads underwater dining on water plants. You see this in Sharon's The Odd Essay blog. Here you rarely see a moose in water. Instead they just eat the new growth of trees. It's amazing how much they eat in a few minutes.
So I watched the moose for about ten minutes and headed for home. Why didn't I go back with my camera? At the time I was watching it was very dark in the woods. It would have been tough to get any kind of photo.
All of this took place about 500 m (1600 ft) from my house.
Wow I would have loved to have seen this and like you I probably would not have had my camera to take a picture!! That would be the coolest thing to see. I have never seen a moose. Maybe next time you will have a camera!
ReplyDeleteMoose in the city tend to ignore you and you can get close to them but not too close.
DeleteWow. Moose for neighbors. That's way out of my realm of experience.
ReplyDeleteI've had moose in my yard several times.
DeleteWhat an experience!!Wow!
ReplyDeleteNice told:))
Greetings Anita
Knocking down the tree was a new one for me.
DeleteWhat a great experience! I would have loved seeing that. They are such magnificent looking animals. Thanks for sharing that story Red.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, they are magnificent.
DeleteThat must have been a spectacular view. I once saw a Moose with one young when I was in Canada. They were indeed eating from a tree.
ReplyDeleteIt's cool when you get that close to them and in this case the fence helped as you should stay away when they have calves with them.
DeleteThat is quite a sighting! I believe you! It's too bad you didn't have a camera with you.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been a challenge to get much of a photo as it was quite dull in the bush.
DeleteFun to watch, but not so fun if they were in your yard .
ReplyDeleteI don't mind them in my yard. You have to keep your distance when they have calves.
DeleteThat was a nice experience. When I was young I lived in a place where you often saw them. We do not have them on the Bruce peninsula but they are common on the other side of the water in Northern Ontario.
ReplyDeleteThey now are smarter and have taken up residence in town where there's lots to eat and nothing bothers them.
DeleteI believe you, Red, and you described it very well indeed. A camera would have added little since my imagination was doing a really good job! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was very dull in the bush so a photo would have been a challenge.
Deletethat is SO cool! what a great thing to watch! and i saw it through your eyes/description. :)
ReplyDeleteIt;'s always cool to see these critters.
DeleteWay cool! We always hope to see a Moose in Minnesota...still hoping! You got to see what few of us do!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you don't have moose.
DeleteI've watched them feeding in Algonquin Park here in Ontario. They're such magnificent animals.
ReplyDeleteThey're rather majestic!
DeleteBut you have shared that excellent minds-eye photo with us.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe how she took the tree down.
DeleteFascinating experience. I'm glad you didn't miss it.
ReplyDeleteYes, taking the tree down was a big surprise.
ReplyDeleteWow- was that in someone's yard? I bet they aren't happy about the loss of a good tree. Do the moose walk around in town? We watch a few Alaska shows and they all talk about how dangerous moose are. I'm glad you got to see it.
ReplyDeleteMoose in the neighbourhood? Hell, in terms of fauna that makes our local fox seem like nothingness.
ReplyDeleteMoose taking down a tree-that I've never seen but I wish I would. I know the feeling when you find a moment you needed your camera.
ReplyDeleteHi Red, I've seen moose in Yellowstone Park and other spots in Montana. The adults are big critters! We used to have a small summer cabin near a town in southwest Montana. The town was in a valley and our place was up in the foothills between the town and a mountain range. It was not uncommon for moose to be seen in town. I do recall one day seeing a big moose trotting down our road on the way to town. I was very, very glad I happened NOT to be out for a walk on the road! Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteWe went to Algonquin Park to see moose in 2010. I can picture your tale! Sometimes, no, the best books I read don't have photos! This is terrific!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Sad to sat our northern Minnesota moose population is declining drastically & the scientists don't know why. Very discouraging...
ReplyDeleteWow, what a thing to see! When I lived in northern Minnesota we saw them all the time. Unfortunately, most of them in the road! I never saw one pull down a tree though. Too bad you weren't able to get s photo.
ReplyDeleteI believe you! That must have been amazing to see!
ReplyDelete