a couple moose in winter habitat

[forestgnome]

I was very happy to find a couple moose on my first hike in about two months yesterday. I was off-trailing on the northern slopes of the Sandwich Range at around 2,900' when I bumped into these two bulls grazing hobblebush buds, a favorite winter food. They let me hang with them for about an hour.

This is the bigger one...






I was checking out snow depth, wondering if bear dens are effected by a lack of insulation...hope not. You can see the depth here is only about a foot and a half...






You can see the reflection of the sun in his eye...






mmmmm....hobblebush buds!
















Here's the other younger bull, who stayed behind a few trees for the first half hour of my visit. He finally got used to my presence...











happy trails

[KD Talbot]

Talk about comin' back with a bang!

Welcome back, Patrick, thanks for sharing!

KDT

[Anna LeBlanc]

I've really missed seeing your photos Patrick.Thank you for bringing us back to nature.

How is everything going with your book?

_____________

Anna

[1HappyHiker]

Terrific photos, as always! And, terrific moose! To my untrained eye, those guys look extremely healthy!!

It's wonderful to see a post from you after what seems like a very loooong absence!

[KathyC]

Patrick, those are absolutely beautiful. Welcome back, I hope all is well...

[forestgnome]

Thanks, all, for the nice words

The whole time I thought the smaller moose was a female. I thought it was a mating pair that has stayed together after getting pregnant to ride out the winter. The muzzle is very light brown, and through the trees I saw no beard nor any spots on the skull where the antler recently detached. But after it finally decided it didn't mind me and strolled out closer to me and the big bull I saw a small beard and small marks over the eyes. Cows do have small marks over the eyes, at the antler position, and the muzzle definately looks like that of a female.

Hmmm...we'll have to get 2alsces on the case...

[forestgnome]

upon further review...I think my original thought was correct. The skull looks like it does not carry antlers. The skull of a bull has a distinct rise between the points where the antlers grow. This moose has no such rise. I think it's a cow, and a mating couple... waiting for 2Alsces to chime in...

[forestgnome]

check out the shape of the skull where antlers would be on the obvious bull and then the moose in question...













The bull's skull has an extra something that appears to support the weight of the antlers. It's a girl, and a mating couple. D'oh!

[CHRIS]

Fantastic shots Patrick. I also have missed getting my moose fix form you. How is the book coming along? Thanks for sharing.

[Snow Miser]

Great moose photos Patrick. I always love seeing your work. Thanks for sharing with us.