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1arcticfox —
MY ALASKA WALKING COMPANION
Published: 2010-03-23 06:45:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 16900; Favourites: 560; Downloads: 87
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*NOTE*Thank you in advance for any comments/favs. Due to carpal tunnel I am very limited in my ability to respond to comments or favs - at this time.
My moose walking (uninvited) companion, in December 2009.
This is one of two photos I took. MOOSE ENCOUNTER OF THE CLOSE KIND is here: [link]
Cannon Powershot SX-20 IS.
This was not taken with a telephoto! I did not approach the moose to take her photo – you never do that to a wild animal!
I was out taking scenic photos in and about the woods and the moose apparently had been hidden in the woods by all the snow on the trees when I walked through the path onto the small University parking lot. I turned to the rt. to take photos and with the camera still up to my eye, turned around to the left and there she was! It was such a surprise! I never heard a sound with all the heavy snow and frost completely sound-proofing the woods and with my back turned!
It only took me about 2 seconds to figure out I could not outrun her and would probably spook her into charging if I moved suddenly….so I completely froze, barely breathing. Then it only took her about 2 more seconds to reach me! She passed within 18 inches of my nose (I could have patted her on the nose) and if you look at the photo you’ll see she was so close that I couldn’t get all of her rt. hoof in the pic! (the photo linked above) I assure you I was not paying attention to focusing the camera!
The only thing I moved was the forefinger on my rt. hand to snap the 2 photos. I’m surprised I had the presence of mind to do that! I’ll admit it was quite unnerving….I’m sure you could hear my heart pounding a block away and I was more than relieved when she kept walking on by!! Though I’ve seen and had many moose in my yards over the years, it was my first close wild moose encounter in 44 years here.
Just another Alaska day. Cannon Powershot S-20 IS.COPYRIGHT NOTICE
My art/photos may not be copied by any means and/or uploaded to any Internet site – including blogs – for viewing or download without my WRITTEN PERMISSION.
My images may not be edited, published, transmitted, borrowed, duplicated, manipulated, added to, reproduced, cropped, used as a backgrounds for your art, or altered in any way unless you make a written request to me and I give you written permission.
You may NOT claim this image as your own art and you may not change the title or use it to illustrate your writing. You may NOT legally burn this image onto a CD and give or sell it to anyone. You MAY NOT apply my images to items for sale and earn money using my images in any way – they may not be used for commercial purposes.
This art is NOT stock art and it IS NOT in the Public Domain.
I do NOT give my permission for you to place a link on any social networking site, that links back to my work here – without my written permission. If you ask, I MAY give permission on a case-by-case basis.
c. 2009 1ArcticFox – All rights reserved.
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Comments: 203
I've seen SO many pictures of Alaska, its wildlife, the scenery, the people; it all looks magnificent! I want to go to Alaska before I die.
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Wow, that's so cool! You have a new friend! lol I love Alaska so much!
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Yea...I think she likes me now! I passed by her one more time last winter and she just looked at me like, "I know you won't hurt me"! I'm glad you love Alaska! I have been here 45 years and love it as much now, as the day I got here!
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That's awesome!
I've lived here in Alaska for about 9 years now and am happy to report that I love it more now than I did then. I was 14 and not too happy about the move. lol Within a few years, I realized moving here was just about the best thing that ever happened to me.
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O.O you are so lucky to be alive right now. I'm so glad you did not decide to run or move, moose are pretty agressive and will charge most of the things they see. Anyway, amazing photos you just had a once in a life time experience and I'm glad you decided to share it with us! ^^ what part of Alaska are you in?
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You are correct about moose being agressive! It was a surreal experience! I'm in South Central Alaska, near Turnagain Arm.
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It looks beautiful! And the trees! I've yet to see trees so heavily snowed upon. and What I would give to see a moose so close...without being trampled of course. Truly an amazing experience, I'm glad you had your camera on you!
anyway, be careful and I hope to see more amazing alaska pictures! ^.^
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Thanks so much! It was a real surprise - both the moose and the DD! 
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outstanding! you have some amazing photos, thanks for sharing them with us.
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Thank you so much! Always happy when others enjoy the beauty I'm so lucky to live in/around.
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Congratulations on your dd Anita! This really is a unique and amazing cappture! 
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Thanks so much Larry for your great comment! I don't know which I was more surprised by - the DD - or the moose! Suffice it to say that both were a complete surprise!
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Always a pleasure! I have never seen a moose!
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Wow Anita, congratulations on the well deserved DD for this "adventerous" photo. I wonder why I had missed this photo before. What a great capture. You may be really proud
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Thank you very much Baba - both were complete surprises - the moose and the DD!
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I am glad that you survived both 
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Anita, this is a spectacular capture and it must have been a memorable experience also! Are they much larger than deer? It's hard to tell size without a reference point. I'm so glad nothing happened to you other than to get this great shot! Congratulations on your very well deserved DD!! What a nice "End of the Old Year, Beginning of the New Year" present for you!
to you and yours, Anita, my friend!
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Thank you so much Peggi, I really appreciate your comments! Yes....moose are larger than deer. They can grow to be 7 feet tall and weigh up to 1,800 pounds. They are the largest land mammal in the Northern Hemisphere. They can run up to 30 miles and hour and have the ability to kick with their sharp hooves in all directions - including out front! I have seen them sail over a 6 foot chain link fence like it wasn't even there! I couldn't believe my eyes the first time I saw that! A large adult male moose would out size most large horses and out weigh the same size horse. They are not cuddly, friendly animals and can be very unpredictable and dangerous. This moose was probably a 2 year old so not full grown but still capable of doing plenty of damage. I didn't freak out but I had plenty of anxiety since you don't know what they will do. The worst thing is to frighten them or make them feel threatened, so that is why I stood perfectly still. When she walked by me just a few inches away it was both frightening and amazing! The moose could have easily outrun me and I had no large tree to get behind....so I am also very glad nothing happened to me! After a stressful year, the DD was a wonderful "present"! 
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It's the angle partly....and they have long noses/faces naturally. This has not been altered.
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Something you don't run into everyday...least wise here...grand shot and capture...
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Thank you so much! Glad it happened....now...but I'd just as soon not have to be that close to one again!
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Your very welcome...I'll bet...
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beautiful! haha what a great experience to see a wild moose enter a great snapshot like that. you are so lucky
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It was fortunate to get a photo like this, but I don't know that I want to repeat the experience! It was a bit too close! I could practically feel her breath!
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Lovely photo and great instincts. She may be quite used to seeing people around as we used to have deer living on our helicopter landing area that would ignore us working on the helicopters and refused to move when they tried to land. Congratulations on your Daily Deviation and I hope that your next encounter is a bit less intense
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Thank you so much! They sound like some very stubborn deer! Yes the moose in town are used to seeing people and as long as you play by their rules and give them a wide birth, you're usually ok. They can however be very unpredictable and dangerous because of their size and sharp hooves which they kick out front at lightening speed! I've seen them sail over 6 foot fences like they weren't even there! I always assume they are dangerous - until I know differently!
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Moose are actually rather scary to meet, aren't they? ^__^;;
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They can be! What people don't realize is that though they may be "used to" people and "appear" tame.....they are unpredictable, wild animals and they can be very dangerous. There was a man killed in town here when I was at the University - at the entrance to the building next to the building I had classes in. She had a calf she was protecting and had been teased by some kids who threw rocks and she got very angry and trampled him. It was so sad because they had to shoot her, since she hung around campus. Wild animals need to be respected and left alone!
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Agreed.
I had the unfortunate privilege of running into a bear on a trail before; luckily I was able to make enough noise to keep it away from where I was... I don't think a moose would react the same way.
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Oh my! Glad the encounter wasn't too close and he/she ran away! I very nearly had a bear encounter this summer - it's in my previous journal. So glad I didn't - even though I always carry bear spray! Moose are so unpredictable...making noise might cause it to charge!
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Exactly. ^__^
I had bear spray, but I've never had to use it before so I wasn't exactly sure I'd be able to do it if it got closer.
(PS, Happy New Year!)
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Up here they tell us you need to practice with one! There are times if I am in known brown bear areas - like across the street from me down about a half a mile, that I take the safety off and carry it in my hand "ready to go". I think the big problem is having to grab it out of a holster, yank the safety out and spay - all before the bear gets to you! I had a friend this summer who had exactly that problem - too many "steps" to do as a bear is charging! He fell as he was trying to get it out of the holster, but finally managed - just before the bear got to him! So now I carry it in my hand with the safety off in wilderness areas where nobody is around - but me! There's lots of info on the net about bear spray and some good tips....I even learned new things!
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That would be one way to do it. :3 But I have a hard time hiking with anything in my hands; it's a balance issue I guess.
It was a black bear, so I wasn't so concerned, and I saw him from a distance before I got closer to where he was. Had it been a grizzly I would have turned around and headed back to parking lot even though my goal was only a few km further. XD
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YES....BLACK BEAR AND GRIZZLY BEAR BEHAVIOR ARE DIFFERENT. THEY SAY TO NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON A GRIZZLEY BUT TO BACK AWAY VERY SLOWLY FACING IT. I'M NOT SURE HOW CALM, I'D BE THOUGH!!
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Thanks so much! Happy New year!
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Thanks so much Anj! It's so good to have you back again! Happy New year!
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Thank you, Anita!
Here's wishing you light, love, life, health and happiness in the New Year.
Hugs and love,
Anj
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