A Little Moose Drama on Our Sunday Walk

On todays walk we encountered a momma moose, baby moose, fresh cougar tracks along with tracks from so much more wildlife and a quick  hello to the beaver.  Since our big dump of snow over 2 weeks ago we have not really had much new snow, but have had beautiful weather.  So I have had time for long walks a few times a week.  Always with camera in hand discovering new winter wonders which I mostly share at God's Garden of Nature. If you haven’t visited there already and enjoy nature and photography please stop in for a look. 

But on todays walk, hubby came along.  We were gone for a good 2 hours again venturing to our back field that is almost  a 1/2 mile from our house.  Half way there fresh cougar tracks were spotted. But we venture on seeing tracks from deer, moose, coyote, bobcat, squirrel, rabbit and grouse.  Finally reaching the back field I headed down to the creek wanting to see how it hand changed since fall and heard rustling in the bushes near by.

Now I knew the moose could be down here as fresh tracks were everywhere and this is the wintering ground for a mother moose that has had many young ones here over the years. And there she was.  Now some of these photos of the moose are not so good as I only have my small pocket camera which doesn’t zoom so good.

Well at this point she and her young one were separated as the mother ran off up the valley leaving the baby moose behind. We decided to continue on as not to scare them any more. So on up the beautiful creek we went.

A site to behold as winter has now taken hold and signs of fall are long gone.

So glad we ventured here to see this frozen winter scene.  You can see many different animals tracks around here.

Soon we came across more very fresh cougar tracks `s we had a dusting of snow last night these had to be made just this morning.  Seems a huge cougar by the tracks.

Also with this set we noticed this cougar had a younger one with her or possible 2.

Leaving the creek and heading back along the road.

Well on our return trip we took the road that borders our property when across the field on the hill side I saw the young moose trying to climb up the steep mountain side.  Seems her mother had circled around and was calling from above for the baby moose to come up to join her.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when suddenly the baby moose lost his footing on the steep terrain and tumbled down the mountain side for about 30 feet coming to a rest with his back against a tree and legs facing up hill.  A position in which a big animal like that can’t get his legs under him to get up.  In this photo he is right in the middle you can barely make him out against the tree.  Mother was above calling for him, he struggled a few times then just gave up.  My heart was broken I thought for sure he would never be able to get himself up right again. 

Momma moose realizing her baby couldn’t get to her worked her way back down and was now just 25 feet below him on the valley bottom and continued to call to it.  Finally after 15 minutes he struggled again and was able to roll himself somehow and get himself up again.  Mother moose is just below now on level ground.  I was so happy.

We watched as the baby moose very carefully descended down the steep bank.

During all this a friend had come by on the road and we were all watching this take place.  Quiet cheers when the baby moose reached the bottom.

Meanwhile momma moose just watched us the whole time.  Baby moose did not go join her while we were there but stayed hidden about 15 feet from her.  We decided it was time to let them alone again.

Just in front of our place near a big beaver dam we were greeted my Mr. Beaver.

So that was my natured filled day here.  All these animals are a normal part of our area, but to see so much in one day and so many animal tracks.  With that cougar in the area I won’t be venturing so far alone. Can’t believe just a few days before I was stomping all over the forest by myself.   Some people think I am crazy, but I know there is so much food available for all the wildlife here.  When there is an imbalance that is when I will be more concerned.  As the cougar may have a young one to feed as well I will be extra cautious.  But for now I have been so enjoying the weather and snow.  So nice to spend time outside that doesn’t involve work.  Seems in the summer there is always work to be done outside.  Of course there is all those little cleaning jobs that don’t get done in the summer that I am also trying to get done here in the house.  I have been keeping up with my yoga and enjoying it and limbering my body slowly.

So wishing everyone a beautiful day
and a
Good Morning…   Good Afternoon…  Good Night…
What ever it is to you

Photo & Words
by
Here I Am/Carrie

About 2 Inches

We finally got some more snow…not enough to sniff at if you ask me and I’m fine with that.  I wish the forecast for our music group were better.  We finally had to cancel the concerts for the rest of the year.  I know God is in control of all of it but it still feels especially strange since we started it already.  Other miscellaneous things:  how many of you are using File Den to post your songs?  Have you noticed the site has been down for maintenance for a week now?  It sucks not being able to use that.  I’m curious since we’re being random here…for those of you that use the word verification before you can comment…why do that?  I’ve never had spam here have you?  Is that why you require it?  I frankly hate having to type some annoying word before leaving a comment and have turned the feature off and guess what?  No negative effects and people can post their comments easier…wish I could get everyone to do that…all right enough of that onward and upward!

 

We were able to visit the store where Lovely works the first day they put up their decorations.  It was a great way to begin to feel the Christmas spirit  They have such nice things in the storeand the owners have been very good to us…love you guys!  If I were rich I’d have them decorate the house for ussince I have no doubt they’d do a much better job then I ever could.  Just look at these tiny stockings over this fireplace.  Lovely created the banners in the background here.  I think I’ll take a hint from this sign!  These little boxes are so cool.  They actually open up and there’s two tiny angels inside.  There’s a vintage feel to the store that reminds me of things you’d see in a Norman Rockwell painting.  This is actually soap…is that cool or what?  This soap smells good enough to eat!  Yeah, this is definitely the way to get into the spirit!  These are really nice holiday plates.  Everywhere you look there are wonderful little touches that usher in the the Christmas spirit.  Stores like this are a real treasure.  How about a little festive popcorn with the first class apple cider?  Yes, this is making my season a lot more jolly!  I could spend a long time walking in the store enjoying the touches that make it so special.  Some say the season is all about commercialism but I say the season is what you make it to be.  We didn’t have to spend thousands of dollars to have a good day herenor did we have to face the madness of Black Friday to have some peace on earth.  It was just our family in a wonderful little store in Montanabut that was enough for me to feel such a love for what matters most.  I think everyone in my life has a little Santa in thembecause they each bring something into my life that I could never have without them!