Chocolate Moose & Loons

As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to share some of our moose sightings while in Algonquin Park last week. I get such a thrill at seeing the moose. This big bull was quietly enjoying a feed alongside the highway, when what to his surprise at least 20 vehicles pulled up alongside him and people started popping out and taking his picture! I don't know how long he stood in that still water trying to enjoy his meal and ignore dozens of people gawking at him, but he left shortly after we arrived and sauntered slowly and elegantly back into the forest. Isn't he gorgeous? One of my daycare clients told me he hunts moose. I don't talk about moose to him anymore.

This next guy was "our" moose. We paddled out in the late evening specifically for a little moose "hunt" on the lake where we camp. There is a lovely raised pond adjacent to the lake that is separated by a very solid beaver dam. We saw two female moose here last year and one of them came out of the woods about ten feet away from us! That day I didn't have my camera with me. The quality of these photos is a bit poor because the light was fading fast.

Giving himself a good scratch with the hind hoof

... and the other side

Finally, he acknowledged us ... "What you lookin' at?!"

We left him in peace at this point

This next young moose was very nervous. He too was alongside the highway, but he was really agitated and definitely not enjoying the camera-shooting public. Some people were getting up very close to him and he was running away from them and bawling. He looked like he was maybe  a yearling. As he ran along, he just moved so gracefully. Those long legs are sort of spring loaded, and he had such a smooth gait. I've not seen a moose running before, they're not awkward looking at all, and they sure cover the ground quickly! He didn't stay out in the open too long, and soon bolted into the safety and comfort of the deep forest beside him.

Look at that sweet face ... what's not to love?

With every step a swarm of flies rise up off his bum and settle back into his fur when he stops.

We saw one more bull moose alongside the highway, but he didn't waste any time getting back into the brush, and I didn't get a photo of him at all (my husband snapped a few quick ones from his phone).

Although I've always had some difficulty in naming my favourite bird (I love almost any bird I see ... except pigeons), I have now decided that loons are my favourite. We saw lots of loons while out canoeing this trip. I love the loons for their amazing plumage and their haunting cries. Can anything beat the cries of the loons over a northern lake as the sun is setting and night is closing in. (You can hear a great recording of the loons here too.) I don't think so. This loon was diving quite close to our canoe as we were paddling along. At one point we could see him swimming underneath the water beside our canoe ... amazing!

A mother loon with her fluffy brown chick.

Linking up with Eileen's Saturday Critters :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy