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Published: 2010-03-23 06:45:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 16900; Favourites: 560; Downloads: 87
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Description
*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.
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Related content
Comments: 203
Sassykatt1 In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 21:34:49 +0000 UTC]
Thought so, she looked a little lean. XD ah, yes.. fooooooood XD
Hmm.. There a a lot, just very good at hiding.
Past a certain part in ontario and up is where the moose are. They have been driven out of southern ontario.
There is an island only an hour from my house, the deer population there is insane.
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1arcticfox In reply to Sassykatt1 [2010-12-30 23:37:19 +0000 UTC]
Oh....ok....thanks for the info! We don't have deer in Southcentral Alaska, but they do in Southeastern Alaska. Now you make me want to look at the map! I've only been through British Colombia and Alberta, driving to and from Alaska.
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Sassykatt1 In reply to 1arcticfox [2010-12-31 00:22:33 +0000 UTC]
LOL your welcome. :3
You should, I love ontario (mostly because i've never left the province in my life)
We have the world largest Freshwater Island, thats the one I was saying had all the deer there.
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1arcticfox In reply to Sassykatt1 [2010-12-31 03:54:03 +0000 UTC]
You're like me...I LOVE Alaska because I've been here most of my life! I am going to look at the map tonight before I go to bed and will look for a large freshwater island!
Happy New Year!
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Sassykatt1 In reply to 1arcticfox [2010-12-31 03:59:39 +0000 UTC]
Happy new year!
The island is called Manitoulin island
It's beautiful there
but in the fall hunters flock there and it sounds like a war there.
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1arcticfox In reply to Sassykatt1 [2010-12-31 04:24:32 +0000 UTC]
Thank you....I will "visit" tonight! Oh good grief...people would go nuts here if there were that many hunters! It's a good thing we are so far away from everything!
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Sassykatt1 In reply to 1arcticfox [2010-12-31 04:28:57 +0000 UTC]
LOL. Thanks :3
I'd never go there in fall..I was hiking there in early fall and there already were gun shots ;-; probably from poachers and they were very close ;-;
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SNEfanScandinavia In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 20:32:29 +0000 UTC]
This is awesome.
Wonder what the moose has been up to...
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1arcticfox In reply to SNEfanScandinavia [2010-12-30 20:58:56 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much! She had been in the woods most likely stripping the branches and bark off of certain trees because that's what they eat in the winter when the food is scarce. That's why she had the snow all over her face - they reach up and pull on branches and the snows dumps off on their faces.
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SNEfanScandinavia In reply to 1arcticfox [2010-12-30 22:09:51 +0000 UTC]
Nice.
There is something inherently unelegant and really charming about them, that I really like
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1arcticfox In reply to SNEfanScandinavia [2010-12-30 23:34:05 +0000 UTC]
They aren't elegant but the bulls can be majestic! They've fascinated me for years!
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SNEfanScandinavia In reply to 1arcticfox [2011-01-04 00:33:33 +0000 UTC]
True enough.
And who doesn't love moose?
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StudioGhibliIona [2010-12-30 20:17:10 +0000 UTC]
That is beautiful, I have never seen a moose or elk because I live in England, but I would love to! This is a great photo!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
1arcticfox In reply to StudioGhibliIona [2010-12-30 20:55:57 +0000 UTC]
Awww...thank you so much! We have lots of moose around here - and most everybody loves that!
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1arcticfox In reply to SlyBlue78 [2010-12-30 20:28:20 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for viewing and commenting!
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1arcticfox In reply to SlyBlue78 [2010-12-30 20:13:12 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for viewing and commenting!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Nightwolfess In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 18:58:37 +0000 UTC]
aww, Ms Moose wanted to investigate you.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
1arcticfox In reply to Nightwolfess [2010-12-30 19:31:39 +0000 UTC]
I think maybe she was looking for food too!
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MothersHeart In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 16:48:17 +0000 UTC]
Congratuations on your DD!!!! Well Deserved!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
1arcticfox In reply to MothersHeart [2010-12-30 19:30:15 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much! It was a real surprise!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
1arcticfox In reply to MothersHeart [2011-01-01 20:26:49 +0000 UTC]
May you have the best New Year ever!
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NebetSeta In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 16:05:30 +0000 UTC]
Yeah, one has to be very careful with wild animals.
I do wish sometimes I could pet the birds; that one would fall for my stinger sticking out and me standing very still routine, so I could have one land on my finger and then see him or her up close, perhaps pet him or her.
But I know that animals aren't stupid!
I had an encounter during a winter's walk a few years ago. I came across a running (very small) group of deer. The stopped and looked straight at me and vice versa. I did feel fear because if any of them charged, there was no where for me to go, 'except if lucky, into a cabin that was nearby or hide behind a tree. And yes, I froze when I saw the group of deer; I didn't know what they were going to do, and I was alone.
One never knows what will set a wild animal off. Being a hooved creature that eats plants does NOT equal weak. Those hooves, and one good, strong kick in the right place, and a human being is down and possibly out (as in dead). I work around horses, so it's constantly on my mind!
So yeah, just in case it does someone good DO NOT GO NEAR WILD ANIMALS. They may be cute, but 'cute' can kill very quickly.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
1arcticfox In reply to NebetSeta [2010-12-30 19:29:33 +0000 UTC]
You are very wise....wild animals are not for approaching! She totally took me by surprise, emerging out the the dense, snowy woods! You are also right about the hooves. We've had people here charged and injured by those sharp hooves and even killed here a few years back. But I agree about the birds....because they are so cute! A kick by a horse wouldn't feel good either and could do some real damage!
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NebetSeta In reply to 1arcticfox [2011-02-22 04:34:08 +0000 UTC]
There's a young woman where I work as a volunteer (haven't been there in months, so I should say 'where I used to voluteer/will get back to again!') who was kicked by her own horse who startled one night when he got loose. She almost died. I think she said the doctor said if it was one more inch, she would have been dead. I'm glad she didn't die - the horse isn't a bad horse, and she is a very nice young woman. So yeah, never misjudge a 'prey' animal.
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1arcticfox In reply to deserted-heart [2010-12-30 19:24:11 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! I was lucky....or unlucky....depending on how you see it!
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deserted-heart In reply to 1arcticfox [2010-12-31 07:58:42 +0000 UTC]
i think you were lucky ^^
happy early new years
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1arcticfox In reply to deserted-heart [2010-12-31 08:32:10 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! The best New Year to you!!
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SyphonLetter In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 15:16:52 +0000 UTC]
Amazing shot friend Well deserved DD
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1arcticfox In reply to SyphonLetter [2010-12-30 19:22:52 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much for your kind comment!
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For-Two-Lifetimes [2010-12-30 13:50:08 +0000 UTC]
That's a wonderful photo!
But I should ask that you report that... a huge moose that isnt afraid of people is dangerous and the wildlife authorities would prolly like to keep an eye on her. Even though it is a wonderful, breathtaking encounter, for her safety and yours it might be good to call a wildlife authority and tell them what happened
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1arcticfox In reply to For-Two-Lifetimes [2010-12-30 19:21:18 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! We always call the wildlife authorities to report agressive moose, but we have so many moose here in the city (because it's surrounded by wilderness) that it's impossible to call about all the moose that aren't agressive. It would be like calling about all the dogs that bothered no one! She was not agressive in any way and after living here for 44 years I knew the best thing to do was to stand perfectly still and make no sudden moves. It wasn't that she had no fear of humans - since if I had moved she would have been plenty fearful. It was that I didn't give her.....a reason to be fearful which could have put me in danger.
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0oKatanao0 In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 13:49:36 +0000 UTC]
Awesome! I see these guys all the time from the hwy or from a far distance, but never up that close. great shot!
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1arcticfox In reply to 0oKatanao0 [2010-12-30 19:09:43 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much! Yes, I see them freequently....just never that close! I prefer to watch from a window!
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psion005 In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 13:25:40 +0000 UTC]
OMG what an experience Congrats on the DD my friend
Me--->
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1arcticfox In reply to psion005 [2010-12-30 19:08:24 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much Andrew! It was one of those experiences that you're glad about....when it's over!
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Brigitte-Fredensborg In reply to ??? [2010-12-30 09:14:19 +0000 UTC]
Congratulations for the DD!
A wonderful shot!
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1arcticfox In reply to Brigitte-Fredensborg [2010-12-30 09:52:47 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much! It certainly was NOT a planned shot! She was on me before I knew it!
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1arcticfox In reply to Casperium [2010-12-30 09:51:38 +0000 UTC]
Oh my gosh....I just found out! Thank you so much! It was a real surprise....and the moose too!
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1arcticfox In reply to Moosey-StarGaze [2010-11-27 21:14:20 +0000 UTC]
Thanks so much! It was rather "unnerving"!
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laurengary In reply to ??? [2010-05-20 00:30:57 +0000 UTC]
You know, I've always wanted to go to Alaska....just for experiences like this I think. All I can say is.. OMG !
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1arcticfox In reply to laurengary [2010-06-17 19:11:00 +0000 UTC]
You can see how far behind I am! Really? I find it interesting when people say they've "always" wanted to come to Alaska - because I wonder why - in this case you told me! Sometimes people come and see lots of wildlife and other times they never see any and are disappointed. Kinda like coming to see the Northern Lights - you just can't predict when they will appear! Just 3 days ago a man was mauled (luckly he played dead and only got a torn ear and puncture wounds and is doing good) by a big brown bear (they call them Grizzleys in most of the U.S.) on the edge of the city, only about a mile and a half into the woods from me. That's why I always carry Bear Spray (hot pepper spray) on my belt when I walk - because I'm just not that far from a well-known bear area - as well as moose and I have seen a bear (black) by the dumpster across the street from me! Most people here in the city love the wildlife and take the measures that are well-known to steer clear of wildlife or protect themselves. Never any gurantees - maybe we just like "danger"!
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