In the old days, moose just hid from me so there was never any problem dealing with them.
This past year I’ve encountered a few moose and learned they can be quite temperamental. Who knew?
One of their quirks is that they keep turning to show me what they consider their best side in case anyone thinks they are little pudgy.
When a large animal like a moose eats dainties like bark salad, it’s hard to imagine weight ever being an issue.
Nevertheless, the moose to the right insisted that I take this shot from the front. I had no idea why he was so obsessed about looking fat since he looked pretty trim to me from any angle.
I had to assure the moose multiple times that this was quite a flattering pose and I’m sure the folks back home would agree.
Despite all my assurances, he still seemed a bit touchy about the whole thing and took off in a huff.
There is no pleasing these prima donna models in a photo shoot!
So funny ! I rarely see moose, only when I cross the Parc Des Laurentides I can see some along the road sometimes, and I’m always afraid they might be hit by cars. We have a lot of deers where I live but not many moose. The photos are great, I really love the first one, he has quite a serious look 🙂
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Glad you found the humour:) vehicles hitting moose is a real concern and can turn badly for all involved. I really think they are magnificent animals and wish I could see them more often. I was so happy to get that first shot and yes he does look serious!
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There are now more moose in this area than deer – who would have predicted that 10 years ago? I saw one a few years ago in the ditch along the highway – and it was in terrible shape. It was all raggy and scruffy – hubby assumed it was full of ticks, and sick. Gross. Your specimen is a lot healthier. They have such strange proportions, don’t they? I love those tiny hints of the beginning of antlers. Maybe it was his masculinity he was being emphatic about – “Come see me in the fall, after I’ve had time to flex my maleness and grow a decent set!”
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It is completely surprising to hear about how the moose have moved into new areas. I even found one around Pike Lake though never got a photo. The strange proportions and smooth awkwardness I find quite appealing in addition to the fact that they are huge. This guys little antlers were quite funny. I wish I could have found in the fall.
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They certainly are fascinating creatures. I never get tired of seeing them!
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Your first photo is exquisite, Lyle! I think the moose’s temperament might have something to do with the long scar running along it’s back/ribs near its spine that’s visible in the second photo. It looks rather long and in a couple of spots like thick keloid tissue. That would be my guess for the skittishness.
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Glad you liked the photo. I was happy it posed for me so nicely to get the front view. I was wondering about that scar – must have had an interesting encounter with something.
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These photos make me laugh out loud! 😀
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Great to hear!
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Nice shots… I know how hard it’s to get a clear shot of any animals in wild 🙂
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Thank you. It can be a challenge to get wild shots that’s why I was so pleased to find this guy. Ironically with my long lens, I had to turn the camera to a portrait position to get all of him in there (moose are big) which actually made the photo better. I appreciate the comment.
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Apparently moose can be quite grumpy and cantankerous. I just love their goofy looks. It’s a real treat whenever I see one. Love the photos.
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Goofy looking is a great way to describe it – I think that’s a huge part of the appeal for me and a treat for me as well. Glad you liked this guy.
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I like the first photo very much. The moose has a nice look with gentle eyes. However, I think he has a big nose, perhaps too big, and too small ears.
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I like the first one a lot too. I also find the moose’s proportions quite interesting including that massive nose and I think it’s why I like them so much. They have a distinctive look. I was somewhat amused with your suggestions of what should change size – it would be interesting to create a perfect specimen.
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That is some good looking moose! That first head on shot is truly a beautiful setting for the always photogenic moose to appear in.
I guess this moose would be the opposite of the alligators who would prefer I show them as large and menacing as possible.
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A photogenic moose in a photogenic setting works for me – I was just happy not to botch the shot. Then again I didn’t have the pressure of a gator snapping at me which would be a whole different story.
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Wow what an amazingly beautiful picture!! I especially like the one with him string right at you
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I appreciate the comments. The straight on image was a little different and I’m quite happy with it. Moose are such wonderful creatures.
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We have lots of moose in Finland and I’ve seen several in my lifetime – never managed to get a good photo of them, though. I’m glad you did, these are great! You really see the personality in this one.
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Thanks. They have a awkwardness about them that I quite enjoy watching. Their size just adds to the unusual factor. They all seem to have personality to me.
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He was likely just feeling a little insecure about his horns. Puberty is a misery. Patchy beards, changing bellows, all those groups of giggling girl moose.
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Giggling girl moose is definitely an image I hadn’t thot of – amusing!
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Great shots of your temperamental moose. I have seen warning signs about moose when I visit Maine but have never seen on in real life. I’m glad the moose seemed calm for the first shot–I’ve be worrying about a moose charging me if it decided it didn’t like the way that I looked. Trim or not, that moose looks really big and capable of a lot of damage.
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I have really grown to dislike those wildlife signs that you mentioned. Too often it’s false advertising since I really want to see the moose!
Yes they are surprisingly big creatures and could do a lot of damage if so inclined. However, it seems to me they are not that inclined and typically run away from people.
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This young bull is quite a handsome fellow. He looks pretty healthy too. The New England moose are not doing well and are suffering severely from an outbreak of winter ticks. The herd is shrinking all over.
Maybe he was just upset about you being between him and his favorite water lily pond. 🙂
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I thot he looked pretty good as well. I’m not a real fan of ticks so I find the thot of so many ticks actually bringing down a moose quite sad but just one more example of nature’s circle of life. Hopefully your moose can recover.
That moose mouth is so big and expressive, it would be remarkable if they could talk.
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Since you asked: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjRgzFeE_8 🙂
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OK maybe it’s better if they don’t:)
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I have to agree with Mr Moose on this one, the full frontal does seem to be his best side. The head doesn’t seem quite as out of proportion as in that second shot.
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Yes Mr. Moose got it right. I was happy to oblige.
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You have such interesting animals – every post is an education 🙂
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And I feel the same with yours. Continents do matter apparently.
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Haha! These are fantastic – he looks so formal in the first one, and just like a cartoon in the second one! So funny. I love his little antler-nubbins sticking out to the side, and his big expressive nose.
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Glad you liked them. I was happy to get that head-on look – formal is an interesting way to describe it. The little antlers are really the finishing touch.
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That is actually one of the best looking moose I’v ever seen. She is quite beautiful. Most of them are quite ugly, I think. Maybe she is a little full of herself.
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Yes I thot it was quite a looker so I was happy to get the special posing. I guess I thot moose were beautiful but then I like the awkwardness they portray.
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