Moose cow near a beaver pond, Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, UtahMoose cow near a beaver pond – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Yesterday I headed up Skyline Drive at the entrance to Bountiful Canyon to see if I could find any migrating raptors riding the thermals of the Wasatch Mountain Range and while that wasn’t a “bountiful” activity finding a Moose and her calf  feeding near a beaver pond was. The cow Moose came down the hill first and at that point I couldn’t see that a calf was close behind her.

Young Moose - Oh, oh, she saw me, Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, UtahYoung Moose – Oh, oh, she saw me – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

This Moose calf was born in May or June and it has grown quite a bit since then. It has also gotten a longer neck, when the calves are first born their necks appear very short, almost neckless in appearance, you can see one here. This calf paid far more attention to my presence than the cow did.

Young Moose with its eye on me, Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, UtahMoose calf with its eye on me – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

The Moose calf was wandering and feeding on different vegetation and when I saw this pose I just had to take a picture, it isn’t often I get to photograph a Moose’s rear end, I am far more proficient at getting images of bird rear ends!

Running Moose calf, Wasatch Mountains, Wasatch National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, UtahRunning Moose calf – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

The Moose calf seemed to be nervous at times by something that was to the north of it and it would run towards where the cow was feeding but would stop near some tall trees.

Moose calf running again!, Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Skyline Drive, Davis County, UtahMoose calf running again! – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

And at times the Moose calf would turn and run the opposite direction. Maybe it was just stretching its legs, “feeling its oats”, or it had the zoomies but I do know one thing for certain and that is I was delighted and amused with both of the Moose yesterday.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Moose photos plus facts and information about this species.