Moose

The way this July is going, it may surpass July 2023, which was recorded as the warmest July. Moose are one species looking for cooler days. Climate change is causing concern for their population and harvest dynamics in parts of the United States and Canada. Warmer temperatures and decreasing snowpack favour white-tailed deer, while stressing moose physically and exposing them to diseases spread by the increasing deer population and changes in food sources. Moose in the Midwestern United States have seen their numbers drastically decline in recent decades. In Michigan and Minnesota, moose are considered species of special concern.

However, climate change might provide positive signs north of the moose’s range. Rising temperatures and shorter winters have helped moose move into new stretches of territory in Alaska and Canada. Foraging animals are finding more food in the tundra region. Studies have shown increasing vegetation due to the warming Arctic, in the form of alder, willow, and birch plants. But, as always, when looking at the southern range of moose, there are positives and negatives for species of flora and fauna. The same goes for flora and fauna in their expanding northern range. For example, ptarmigans once had a little bit of shrub life to themselves. Now they will have to contend with 450-kilogram herbivores, as well as predators like red foxes and lynx moving into their territory.

Moose

Over the winter, I have been seeing this cow and her calf’s tracks. I came across where they have been eating, resting and at times, running from something. Perhaps related to the wolf pack or its members that go through their home range. I’m sure they have tried to go after the calf a few times. But the mother has been able to keep her calf safe. I have come across them two times, the last time was two weeks ago. I walked through the deep snow on varied terrain to see how both were doing. Keeping my distance, I was able to see both. The calf, as expected, was the more nervous one. In this picture, it's just behind its mother. You can just make out part of the head with one eye looking toward me. I could have moved around and possibly gotten both in one image, but there was a chance of scarring one or both from the area. They were feeding on willow. There are still a few weeks to go before they start feeding on something green. Until then, the cow will keep working on staying one step ahead of the wolves and I will keep looking out for their tracks.

Moose

A female moose will have its first calf when she is 3 years of age. Cows generally give birth every year, twin calves being born once every three years. Otherwise, a single calf is born. Giving birth to equal numbers of bull and cow calves. So, the average cow keeps giving birth until they are 14 to 18 years old. To do a bit of math. Over 14 years from one cow and her offspring, if everything is equal. Two hundred and twelve calves can be born in over 14 years. But factors such as predators, diseases, weather, hunting and road and railway accidents, end up playing a big role in the moose population.

This calf who first spotted me, was a bit nervous. As soon as I saw it was looking toward me and as well, its ears pointed toward me. I realized if I wanted to see more of the calf, I better stay put or move back. It soon relaxed and started eating the willow shrubs. As it ate and moved, the calf ended up disappearing into the shrubs. But, at no time did I see its mother. This calf was born last spring. Calves stay with their mother for at least a year and a half. Female calves can stay even longer. If this eight-month old calf was separated from its mother, perhaps predators playing a role, the chance of it reaching adulthood just got less. A healthy cow plays an important role in helping its calf survive and contribute to the ecosystem as an adult.

Moose

Moose calves weight 13 to 16 kg at birth, by fall they can weight 10 times that. The calves start nursing a few hours after being born, stopping in the fall when the mother is breeding again. They start eating or testing different food within a few weeks of being born. The mother using the knowledge she gained through her life experience will move around the landscape to get the food she and her calf need to be ready for the coming winter. The more weight the calf can put on, the better chance it will have to survive the winter. Over the winter, it’s more about conserving energy than consuming.  With less nutritious food, members of the deer family lose weight until spring arrives.

For this calf, her whole survival depends on her mother. Once this calf started walking, which was a few minutes after birth. Its survival instinct is to follow its mother, for food and for protection. As soon as the mother saw me, her ears were up and pointed toward me.  She needed to get to a safe spot. Within a few seconds she decided to get out of the area and into cover. She got out of the water, crossed a small open area and into the woods she went. The calf trying to keep its balance was right behind the mother. The mother was maintaining a pace its calf could keep up with. And just like that, the moose and the calf were out of perceived danger. Hopefully soon they found a place for the calf to recover from one of its first adventures, seeing a two legged mammal.

Moose

When I decided to get serious about photography, the idea was to do something that would bring balance to life. A hobby (now my passion) that I could do on my spare time and a hobby I would have complete control over. I had a steep learning curve, being self-taught and inspired by nature. I have made my share of technical mistakes at the start, but it was all part of the process and I would not change anything.

One of my approach to nature photography that’s hard to understand for many and even more so with the way many of us connected through social media. Was to go out along when I want to take pictures. I feel it’s the main reason why my pictures got better and why I have a silly smile on my face most of the time. We all need a certain amount of solitude in life, a time with no human related distraction to solve life and work problems and to be fully aware of my surrounding and in my own way being creative. Even before I read the research, nature was bringing peace or a term that’s often used today, wellness. Nature photography bringing a smile to my face.

That was the case when I headed out on a cold morning, walking in knee deep snow. I came out of the trees and looked to my right, a moose calf was startled and moved closer to its mother. The mother looked at me for a few seconds, I decided to create some space between us. As I was moving away, I had an idea for a picture that would include the moose, trees, the Alpen glow in the sky and part of the snow covered river. The female moose and her calf were back to eating twigs and I was relaxed enjoying the morning. The heavy blanket of snow was also doing a great job keeping distracting sounds away. Made some setting adjustment and got the pictures I wanted. I had a smile on my face as I looked around, I had three options for a unique sunrise picture as well.

Moose

It was a cold morning, the sunrise was not what I was hoping for, so I decided to go for a walk along the river, going in and out of the forest next to it. With each hour it was getting warmer, I could hear the birds  every now and then going through the forest. Too high in the trees for pictures. I looked in the distance, something was looking toward me, a male moose. I started to move, it moved, and soon it was out of view. Ten minutes later I was on at a higher elevation, and could see another male moose, it was younger and eating plants from the river's bottom. This moose did not look toward me and soon left. As I was eating and now taking in the warmth from the sun, I could hear not too far from me something was moving to the left of me, first through the snow and then trough the river. The forest I was standing by was blocking my view. Soon after the first moose I saw that day or another moose of the same size was standing across the river, about 110 meters front of me, looking at me. It crossed the river and was still looking at me. I was ready to move away quickly if needed, it was the rut season and the bulls are not too happy around this time. The bull walked past the small trees into the open and was still looking toward me. Still safe distance, I moved out of the trees for the moose to have a good look at me. It stood still and looked at me for a minute and then started walking toward the river to the right of me. That's when I started taking pictures of the male. It did not look back, crossed the river and then faded into the forest.

Moose

Moose like other wildlife have been dealing with more snow and cooler temperatures much earlier this year. Even with warmer days coming up tomorrow, much of their food has fallen to the ground. The moose will start eating twigs sooner then later.

Moose

Toward the end of rut season I came across this bull moose. He was near a female, who was with her calf. I was in my car, all three looked toward me, I parked the car on the side of the road and watched them. They stopped looking toward me and went back to their normal behaviour. I got few pictures before another car stopped near mine, they rolled down their windows and loud excited voices came out. Just like that the three moose were gone.

Moose

The ever protective mother kept an eye on me, always making sure her calf was safe. She had nothing to worry about, I was about 50 meters away and had no plans to get any closer. The view was clear and my lens was easily able to reach the two moose.

Moose

It's not always a bad thing when the plans you had for your days off get changed at the last minute. In this case it was the location where the hike was going to take place. On the way to the alternative hike, a mother moose and two calves were spotted.  Most often a female moose will have one calf, but not uncommon for a cow to give birth to twins. For the cow there are big challenges trying to get one calf to survive through its first year, with twins even harder. Finding food is not the problem, but dealing with harsh winter and predators is. Moose populations and nutrition play a role if a cow will have twins. With better  foraging area and lesser moose population, the chances are increased birth will be given to twins. On the day the picture was taken, the twins were busy eating and staying close to their ever protective mom.

Moose

I was on my way to a hike when I came across a moose with two calves. They were busy eating around willow shrubs. I had few trees and shrubs between us, moving side to side to get a clear pictures of the three. I came close but never did get a picture of all three in the open, as individuals, this one of one of the calf was the best one.

Moose

The mother is there from the time the calf is born. Helping to locate and eat food, providing safety from predators. Helping to get you through the  first winter. Helping to survive all the challenges nature and at times human throw at the calf. Then just as the calf starts getting closer to being a year old, the mother turns on her calf. Becoming aggressive and starts charging, trying to drive the calf away. The mother  is pregnant and needs all her energy to look after the new calf that will be born soon. After several days of pushing, this calf moved on.

Moose

It has been a good year for seeing moose for me this year and also seeing them in different places in the park. Getting close-ups and also pictures from distance in their habitats. In this case it was the moose with her calf again, the calf is out of the picture.

Moose and Mount Rundle

Mount Rundle is one of the most photographed mountain in Banff National Park, throughout the day and during the nights. Pictures are taken from few different location, but most are from the Vermilion Lakes, which are easily accessible by foot, bike and by a vehicle. Summer is the season when the mountain gets the most attention, but lately more and more during the other seasons as well. My favourite time to take pictures of the mountain is when there is drama in the sky and the water is still during sunrises and sunsets. But every now and then a great opportunity presents it self during the middle of the day. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Moose

The calf still enjoying the safety of its mom, if the mother is pregnant, the calf will be pushed away in few months. For now life is good and with warmer weather better food is on its way.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

On a cold morning this young female moose was busy getting few calories from the willow shrubs.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

For moose winter is about suffering and overcoming that suffering. Moose can handle cold, their large body is made just for that. It's about the food or more accurately the lack of nutritious food.  Twigs are the main part of their winter diet, nowhere close to providing the nutrients they get from eating leaves during the summer. Now add the challenge of moving through the deep snow to get at the twigs. So it's no wonder that moose lose weight each day during the winter. But at the end of this winter as end of all winters, most will live to see spring. 

Until next moments, 

Amar

Moose

We are well into 2017, its time to look back at 2016, through pictures. Taking place on Saturday, February the 11th, from 7 to 9 PM at the Cave and Basin NHS, the birthplace of our national parks, in Banff. Come join me as I share some of my favourite pictures from 2016 and the stories that go with them, for $3.90 per person. 

Until next moment, 
 

Amar

Moose

The calf was keeping a close eye on its mother, from the time the calf is born and can walk, a strong bond is formed between the calf and its mother. The mother showing what to eat, where to eat and providing safety. The mother will do just about anything to protect its calf. When the mother is getting ready to give birth again, all will change, she will then push her calf away.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

It was a surprise coming across these two moose, a mother and her calf, they have a look as if they were surprised by me in turn, as if they were up to no good. Earlier that day a truck had dropped a bit of dirt while going by on this small side road. For moose as for other members of the deer family, winters are a big challenge for survival. There is very little to eat, and what there is provides very little energy. They are hungry, waiting for spring when food will be available that will help them gain the weight they lost over the winter. So when they come across some dirt that may have minerals their body needs, its worth getting down on their knees for it. 

Until next moment, 

Amar