Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Alces

After finding no owls NW of Calgary on 21 May 2013, I turned around and started heading for home. If one is honest, it is always a little disappointing to drive for hours and find nothing - other than a couple of Ravens : ) As I rounded the first bend in the gravel road, I caught sight of a small bird, which turned out to be a Townsend's Solitaire (and its mate). After driving further, I could see an animal's rear end way down the road. As I got closer, I realized it was a Moose! Normally, if I see a Moose, it's way off in the distance and even then, it still turns and heads off in the opposite direction. However, this one stayed just where it was, feeding on the bushes at the edge of the road. I drove closer, expecting it to disappear into the trees, but it continued feeding and even moved closer to where I had pulled over, and ended up maybe 25' away, on the opposite side of the road. These animals seem mighty big when they are close, ha, and I began to feel rather uneasy, knowing that wildlife can be unpredictable. After 10 minutes or so, it jumped over the barbed-wire fence and continued feeding. I was surprised to see white hair/fur in places, but I was told that this happens "when Moose rub up against trees to get rid of ticks and lose their guard hairs." (Thanks, Don, and Fran, too!). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had hoped that my photos of these two beautiful young Moose would come out better than they did, but a bit of touching up made this one uploadable. I always appreciate the chance to take photos when I'm with other people (most of whom don't have/take cameras), but I make sure I take just a few quick shots so that I don't keep everyone waiting too long. These animals were covered in frost and you can see the cold breath coming from the one on the right. I loved their frost-covered whiskers (beard?), but this doesn't show up in these photos. The highlight from yesterday was seeing a pack of four Wolves on the move, the far side of a lake. We had been told about these Wolves by someone who had just seen them a short while ago. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose

This Moose and its sibling had a good sprinkling of frost on their fur. I loved their frost-covered whiskers (beard?), but this doesn't show up in my photos. I always appreciate the chance to take photos when I'm with other people (most of whom don't have/take cameras), but I make sure I take just a few quick shots so that I don't keep everyone waiting too long : ) Taken on 20 January 2013, when two carloads of us spent the day driving around the Sibbald, Harvie Heights and Exshaw areas, looking for birds.

Two of us came across this mighty Moose in Weaselhead yesterday morning! I think it took both of us by surprise - it was quite distant though, so is cropped. An absolute treat to see this handsome guy within the city : )

After finding no owls NW of Calgary on 21 May 2013, I turned around and started heading for home. If one is honest, it is always a little disappointing to drive for hours and find nothing - other than a couple of Ravens : ) As I rounded the first bend in the gravel road, I caught sight of a small bird, which turned out to be a Townsend's Solitaire (and its mate). After driving further, I could see an animal's rear end way down the road. As I got closer, I realized it was a Moose! Normally, if I see a Moose, it's way off in the distance and even then, it still turns and heads off in the opposite direction. However, this one stayed just where it was, feeding on the bushes at the edge of the road. I drove closer, expecting it to disappear into the trees, but it continued feeding and even moved closer to where I had pulled over, and ended up maybe 25' away, on the opposite side of the road. These animals seem mighty big when they are close, ha, and I began to feel rather uneasy, knowing that wildlife can be unpredictable. After 10 minutes or so, it jumped over the barbed-wire fence and continued feeding. I was surprised to see white hair/fur in places, but I was told that this happens "when Moose rub up against trees to get rid of ticks and lose their guard hairs." (Thanks, Don, and Fran, too!). www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/8879213167 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moose