This calf moose, drenched from the heavy rain/snow that was falling, is working on the last few bites of good vegetation that it is likely to see for the next 7 to 8 months.
I understand that moose get little to no caloric gain from their winter browse and survive almost exclusively on the weight gained in the summer.
Heavy snow winters have a big impact on moose populations and many will starve in a heavy snow year, but not for the reason that most suspect. As they don't gain calories in the winter it isn't from lack of food but rather the extra effort to move about in the deep snow causes them to burn more calories to move. If they burn too many they starve before the greenery of spring arrives.
This can make interesting trail interactions in the spring as a hungry moose will fight to keep the trail and avoid the deep snow if it's hungry enough. This creates trouble for both dog mushers and skiers as well as all other trail users.
Tags: Denali Alaska Moose SpecNature SOE
© All Rights Reserved
This large Bull Moose was seen at mile 3 or so of the Denali Park Entrance.
This area is a common rutting ground where the largest bulls compete for the attentions of the cows in heat.
While these bulls can approach 2,000 lbs for the largest specimens, they like all animals in the north need to make allowances for the oncomming winter. The mating bulls usually spend so much time defending thier harem, they forget to eat sufficiently to allow for the oncomming winter and most do not survive the cold.
Tags: Denali Moose NaturesFinest
© All Rights Reserved
A good size bull moose near Stoney Creek in Denali National Park.
He walked up to the willows and raked his antlers violently in the willows. This is a rutting behavior as the sound carries to both rivals and potential mates.
I need to look at the moose in the park this time of year as the moose hunting season is upon us in Alaska.
Tags: Alaska Denali Bull Moose AnAwesomeShot ABigFave
© All Rights Reserved
I can't believe I watched this calf and its mother for an hour an never noticed the mom duck and her 17 ducklings, they are in 1/2 of the photos.
Tags: moose Chena Alaska calf AnAwesomeShot Shield Of Excellence DiamondClassPhotographer flickrdiamond SOE
© All Rights Reserved
Much happier now that it doesn't have to swim! The calf gives me one last worried look before bedding down in the tall grass.
Tags: Alaska Chena Moose Calf Outstanding Shots Outstanding Shots SpecAnimal ImpressedBeauty
© All Rights Reserved